Journalist

Cho Hyeon-mi
  • Turkey picks SK Plasma as partner in drive for domestic plasma-derived medicines
    Turkey picks SK Plasma as partner in drive for domestic plasma-derived medicines SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - South Korea's SK Plasma has been selected as the technology export partner for Turkey’s national initiative to localize production of plasma-derived medicines, with the firm set to build a plasma fractionation facility through a new joint venture. The company said Tuesday it signed a shareholder agreement in Ankara with the Turkish Red Crescent to establish a joint venture, Proturk, and construct a plasma fractionation plant — its second overseas export of such facilities following a project in Indonesia. SK Plasma was chosen last year over several multinational pharmaceutical firms in Turkey’s competitive tender for the localization project. Since then, the company has signed an MOU with the Turkish Red Crescent and finalized investment structures and commercial terms. The initiative is being highlighted as a major government-industry collaboration, with South Korean Ambassador to Turkey Jeong Yeon-doo involved in coordinating the project. The signing ceremony was attended by SK Plasma CEO Kim Seung-joo and Turkish Red Crescent President Fatma Meric Yilmaz. Visiting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung welcomed the agreement, noting SK Plasma’s role in Turkey’s localization strategy. Under the deal, SK Plasma will receive technology transfer fees and hold a 15 percent stake in Proturk. The remaining 85 percent will be owned by the Turkish Red Crescent’s investment arm and affiliated government agencies. Proturk plans to build the facility in Cubuk, Ankara, with an annual processing capacity of 600,000 liters of plasma. The plant will produce key plasma-derived products, including albumin, immunoglobulin for immune deficiency treatment, and factor VIII for hemophilia A. Until the plant begins operations, SK Plasma will manufacture albumin and immunoglobulin at its Andong facility using plasma supplied from Turkey. The company will also train Turkish technical personnel as part of the technology transfer. Turkish Red Crescent President Yilmaz said the partnership with SK Plasma is “vital to securing sovereignty in essential medical products,” while CEO Kim Seung-joo emphasized the importance of building production infrastructure quickly and expanding opportunities in countries seeking independence in critical healthcare supplies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 13:49:56
  • Celltrion completes regulatory approvals for acquisition of Eli Lilly plant in US
    Celltrion completes regulatory approvals for acquisition of Eli Lilly plant in US SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion said on Tuesday that it had finalized the acquisition of Eli Lilly’s production facility in Branchburg, New Jersey. The deal, which recently cleared all regulatory hurdles in the United States and Ireland, positions Celltrion to expand its presence in the world’s largest pharmaceutical market. The company said it expects to close the transaction by the end of the year. Regulatory approval in the United States came through the Federal Trade Commission’s pre-merger notification process under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, which assesses potential impacts on competition. Ireland’s approval was granted on Oct. 31, given the company’s significant business operations there. The Branchburg plant — covering about 148,800 square meters — will become Celltrion’s first major manufacturing site in the United States. The company plans to invest more than 700 billion won, or roughly $520 million, to expand the facility by an additional 36,400 square meters, ultimately bringing its capacity to about one and a half times that of Celltrion’s second plant in Songdo, South Korea. “The completion of all merger reviews for the U.S. facility acquisition lays the groundwork for accelerating our global market expansion,” Celltrion said in a statement. “We aim to strengthen our production and supply competitiveness while creating value for shareholders.” The company intends to use the Branchburg site as both a production hub and a platform for contract manufacturing. Celltrion expects the facility to generate revenue immediately after the deal closes, thanks to an existing supply agreement with Lilly. It also plans to pursue new manufacturing contracts, anticipating steady growth in demand for biologics and biosimilars. The move could help Celltrion mitigate tariff risks, diversify its production bases and reduce its reliance on facilities in South Korea, where most of its biologic manufacturing is currently concentrated. Founded in 2002, Celltrion has grown rapidly on the strength of its biosimilar portfolio — lower-cost versions of biologic drugs — and has sought to expand its presence in the U.S. and Europe. The acquisition of the Branchburg plant gives the company a stronger foothold in a market increasingly focused on securing local supply chains for critical pharmaceuticals, Celltrion officials said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 10:12:48
  • South Koreas Samsung Biologics hits record $4 billion in annual orders
    South Korea's Samsung Biologics hits record $4 billion in annual orders SEOUL, November 04 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics said on Tuesday that it has surpassed last year’s total orders, securing 5.5 trillion won (about $4 billion) in contracts so far this year — the highest annual performance since the company was founded. The announcement came as the South Korean biopharmaceutical manufacturer disclosed a new 275.9 billion won deal with a European drugmaker, adding to a string of large contracts signed in 2024. The company has completed eight new or expanded agreements this year, including a record 2 trillion won contract in January and another worth 1.8 trillion won with a U.S. pharmaceutical company in September. Samsung Biologics said its cumulative order volume now exceeds $20 billion (28.7 trillion won), underscoring its growing role as one of the world’s leading contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs). The company counts 17 of the world’s 20 largest pharmaceutical firms among its clients. To meet surging global demand for biopharmaceutical production, Samsung Biologics has continued to expand its manufacturing capacity. The company’s fifth plant, which began operations in April, has increased total capacity to 784,000 liters — the largest single-site production capability in the world. The company also cited a 99 percent batch success rate and 394 regulatory manufacturing approvals from agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency as of October. “This achievement is a result of customer trust and our focus on quality-driven management, achieved through close collaboration with our global partners,” said John Rim, the company’s chief executive, in a statement. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-04 14:00:08
  • Celltrion wins Irish approval for purchase of Eli Lilly plant in New Jersey
    Celltrion wins Irish approval for purchase of Eli Lilly plant in New Jersey SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion said Monday that it has received approval from the Irish government for its planned acquisition of Eli Lilly’s manufacturing facility in the United States, leaving only U.S. regulatory clearance before the deal can close. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Ireland granted final approval for the purchase on Oct. 31, according to Celltrion. The deal requires the review under Irish competition law because it involves an Eli Lilly subsidiary that generates revenue in Ireland. Celltrion’s U.S. subsidiary is now seeking to acquire the New Jersey-based plant from Eli Lilly for about $330 million. Celltrion said the approval was granted swiftly thanks to what it called “effective communication and the anticipated benefits of the acquisition.” With U.S. approval now the final step, the company said it has encountered no significant issues in the acquisition process so far. "We will diligently prepare for the remaining steps to secure approval promptly," the company said in a press release. Celltrion aims to complete the deal by the end of the year, positioning the acquisition as part of its strategy to reduce tariff risks and strengthen global supply chain resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty. The company said it plans to integrate local production, packaging, logistics and sales to enhance operational efficiency. The company described the purchase as a “key driver” for expanding its global production capacity and boosting shareholder value. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-03 14:11:13
  • SK Bioscience hosts Hilleman Institute board in Korea to deepen vaccine collaboration
    SK Bioscience hosts Hilleman Institute board in Korea to deepen vaccine collaboration SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - The board of the Hilleman Institute, a leading global vaccine research organization, visited SK Bioscience’s headquarters on Tuesday to explore deeper cooperation in vaccine development and manufacturing, the company said Wednesday. The visit marked a significant step in strengthening strategic ties between the two organizations. It was the first time the Hilleman Institute’s board — established by pharmaceutical giant MSD and the U.K.-based nonprofit Wellcome Trust — held a meeting in South Korea. The institute, based in Singapore, focuses on improving vaccine access and public health in low- and middle-income countries. During the visit, board members toured SK Bioscience’s research and production facilities, evaluating the company’s R&D infrastructure, manufacturing systems, and global commercialization capabilities. According to SK Bioscience, the delegation recognized the company’s potential as a collaborative hub for global vaccine research and production. Executives from both sides also held in-depth discussions on expanding joint research and technology exchange, building on their existing partnership. SK Bioscience and the Hilleman Institute signed a strategic collaboration agreement in 2023 to jointly develop a next-generation Zaire Ebola vaccine. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include process development, technology transfer, and vaccine candidate commercialization. “Hosting the Hilleman Institute’s board in Korea underscores the depth of our partnership,” said Ahn Jae-yong, president of SK Bioscience. “We look forward to expanding collaboration to strengthen the global vaccine supply chain and improve preparedness for infectious disease threats.” SK Bioscience aims to position itself as a central player in global vaccine research, leveraging partnerships with international health institutions to broaden access to next-generation immunization technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-29 15:35:27