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.
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