Journalist

Jo Hyun-mi
  • 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