K-bio names draw spotlight at CPhI 2022 in Germany

[Provided by Samsung Biologics]

South Korean bio names Samsung Biologics, SK pharmteco, and Lotte Biologics are enjoying the limelight at the recent CPhI 2022, the world’s largest pharmaceutical exhibition, in Frankfurt.

At the show running till Thursday, Samsung Biologics set up three promotional panels for contract manufacturing (CMO), contract development (CDO), and messenger RNA (mRNA) business. For CDO, the company highlighted its newly launched high-yield bispecific antibody platform S-DUAL. This platform enables clients to develop a bispecific antibody with structural stability similar to that of human IgG. Samsung Biologics also features S-CHOice, a high-performing cell line platform that provides cell lines with proliferation and viability twice as high as the industry average.

Samsung Biologics recently began partial operations of its fourth bioreactor plant in Songdo. The construction of the supersized 240,000-liter plant will bring the company’s total production capacity to 604,000 liters, taking up almost one third of the world’s output of outsourced biologics. Samsung Biologics already sealed production deals with five global clients for seven products through the newest plant and is in talks with some 20 firms for additional deals.

SK and Lotte emphasized their direct access to the United States and Europe, the world’s two largest drug markets, through their respective CDMO production facilities there. SK pharmteco participated in the exhibition on behalf of SK Group’s biopharma business. Unlike Samsung Biologics, which mainly produces antibody therapeutics, SK pharmteco focuses on CDMO business for cell and gene therapies (CGTs), which are personalized treatments based on cells and genes.

French company Yposkesi which was acquired last year is expected to play a pivotal role for SK’s CGT CDMO business. The company is currently in the process of completing its second plant for commercial production. Yposkesi has the technology to produce gene delivery systems. Upon completion, the company will be able to produce CGTs on the largest scale in Europe.

SK pharmteco recently appointed Joerg Ahlgrimm as its new chief executive. The former head the U.S. Center of Breakthrough Medicines (CBM) is working to enhance the competitiveness of the company’s CGT CDMO business. Ahlgrimm has more than 25 years of experience in global operations, especially with his expertise in synthetic drugs, antibody therapeutics, and even CGTs.

Lotte Biologics, which made a debut in June, also set up a booth at the CPHI 2022 to attract new leads for a local production plant in the U.S. The company recently agreed to acquire a Bristol-Myers Squibb bio plant in Syracuse, New York for $160 million. This asset will serve as its base for CDMO business for customers in antibody therapeutics.

By Shin Yoo-kyung and Minu Kim