South Korea’s two leading biopharmaceutical companies, Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, unveiled ambitious plans to enter the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) market at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Jan. 15. The conference, the largest of its kind in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industry, drew over 8,000 business leaders and investors. ADCs, known as “guided missiles” for cancer treatment, precisely target and deliver drugs to cancer cells via antibodies. Samsung Biologics, the fourth-largest global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), aims to leverage ADCs as a major growth driver in the coming years.

Graphics by Rhee Choul-won

Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim, attending the conference for the ninth consecutive year since 2017, outlined plans to establish a finished drug production line for ADCs by the first quarter of 2027. The company recently completed a dedicated ADC manufacturing facility in Songdo International City, Incheon, featuring a 500L conjugation reactor and purification line for both contract development (CDO) and manufacturing (CMO) services. Market research indicates that the ADC market, valued at $10 billion last year, is projected to expand to $28 billion by 2028.

The CEO emphasized Samsung Biologics’ strategy to strengthen its competitiveness in the emerging ADC field and proactively respond to market demands. The company also announced its goal to become the world’s largest manufacturer by 2032. Samsung Biologics is currently building its fifth plant, set to begin operations in April, and plans to expand with a sixth plant. These expansions will increase production capacity to 1.324 million liters by 2032, positioning the company as a global leader in the industry.

Celltrion, another leading South Korean biotech firm, also announced its entry into the ADC market at the conference. Celltrion Group Chairman Seo Jung-jin and his son CEO Seo Jin-seok outlined plans to focus on ADCs and multi-antibody therapies as future growth engines. The company aims to develop innovative ADC treatments for non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer, as well as multi-antibody therapies that selectively target cancer cells or activate under specific conditions.

CEO Seo outlined plans to complete a portfolio of 22 biosimilars by 2030 and develop two innovative new drugs, leveraging the company’s expertise and capabilities gained from its antibody biosimilar business. Celltrion also emphasized its commitment to the CDMO business as a key growth driver. The company has established a dedicated subsidiary for CDMO and plans to invest up to 3 trillion won. Chairman Seo expressed his vision to nurture “second and third Celltrions” through CDMO ventures. Analysts predict fierce competition between Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, as both companies focus on ADC and CDMO as pivotal areas for growth.