The world’s largest pharmaceutical and biotech exhibition, the “2026 BIO International Convention (BIO USA),” has become a stage for Korean contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) companies to compete for global orders by highlighting their technological capabilities and strategies to expand production bases. Samsung Biologics showcased its technology centered on its Bio Research Center, while Lotte Biologics expressed confidence in securing large-scale orders within the year, noting that it had recently completed construction of its first plant in Songdo. According to global market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global biopharmaceutical CDMO market is expected to grow from USD 25.32 billion (approximately KRW 38 trillion) last year to USD 38.29 billion (approximately KRW 58 trillion) by 2031. In addition, there are rising expectations that Korean CDMO companies could enjoy a “spillover benefit” based on their technological strength as the United States moves to keep China in check.

At a press conference held in San Diego, United States, on the 24th (local time), Jeong Hyeong-nam, head of the Bio Research Center (Executive Vice President) at Samsung Biologics, a leading Korean CDMO company, stressed Samsung’s technological edge, saying, “The first role of the Bio Research Center is to secure core technologies that support the CDMO business and provide platforms.” Samsung Biologics’ Bio Research Center, established in 2022, employs more than 100 researchers with master’s and doctoral degrees. Based on this, the company says it has developed technologies to manufacture drugs in larger volumes and with greater stability. Jeong particularly cited cell line development technology—used to create the cell populations that produce antibody drugs—as a key competitive strength. Samsung Biologics owns the “S-CHOice” cell line platform, which boosts antibody productivity, and is expanding its platform technologies with products such as “S-AfuCHO,” which enhances specific functions of antibodies. In simple terms, the company has the technology to engineer cells so they can produce larger quantities of antibodies with the performance specifications desired by clients.

The company is also strengthening next-generation antibody technologies. Its proprietary bispecific antibody platform “S-DUAL” is a representative example. Jeong likened this platform to a “snap button.” Bispecific antibodies are engineered to target two different antigens simultaneously, but if the protein chains that make up the antibody bind with the wrong partners, the desired antibody may not be produced. S-DUAL is designed so that only the “correct pairs” bind, enabling the production of bispecific antibodies in the desired form with higher precision and purity.

Research is also underway to develop technologies to respond to the market for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—next-generation therapies that combine cytotoxic drugs with antibodies that precisely target cancer cells. Jeong explained, “Just as a stealth aircraft must fly accurately to a target point before dropping its bombs, ADCs require technologies that can deliver drugs precisely to cancer cells.”

Lotte Biologics is highlighting the expansion of its production bases. The company plans to use its first plant at the Songdo Bio Campus, which recently received use approval, as a core hub for expanding its global CDMO business. At a press conference held on the 23rd (local time), Lotte Biologics CEO Park James said, “We completed the construction of the first Songdo plant six months earlier than originally planned,” adding, “Based on our Syracuse Bio Campus in the United States and the first Songdo plant, we have secured production capacity at a level comparable to the global top 10 CDMOs, and we will now move in earnest to strengthen our business competitiveness.” Regarding the first commercial production client in Songdo, Park said, “It is not yet finalized, but it will be a global pharmaceutical company,” and added, “There must be at least one large-scale order this year.”

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