South Korea’s ADC Surge:

Leading CDMO Expansion & Trajectory

Introduction

South Korea’s Bet on ADCs

South Korea is fast becoming a regional — and potentially global — powerhouse in Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) development and manufacturing. With its world-class biologics infrastructure, highly integrated CDMO platforms, and strategic biotech collaborations, the country is capitalizing on the growing demand for precision oncology treatments.

This eBook unpacks the recent investments, facilities, partnerships, and platform strategies that are positioning South Korea as a central node in the global ADC value chain.

South Korea’s Bet on ADCs

Samsung Biologics

ADC Capacity & Global Ambition

Expansion Overview

In early 2025, Samsung Biologics unveiled plans to build Plant 6, pushing total capacity to 964,000 liters.
ADC-specific services are now operational at Plant 5, with standalone conjugation services launched in Q2 2024.

Partnership with LegoChem Biosciences

Extended their collaboration to cover discovery-to-commercial ADC development.
Supports multiple ADC assets, leveraging Samsung’s development, conjugation, and analytics capabilities.

Strategy

Compete globally by combining speed, scalability, and ADC-specific CMC expertise.
Push for dual sourcing and global regulatory compliance to serve both multinational and local biotechs.

Lotte Biologics

Building the First Full ADC Line

Facility Development

Completed a 100 billion KRW (~USD 75M–100M) investment to build its first ADC manufacturing line.
Includes a 1,000L conjugation reactor, analytical QC, and aseptic fill-finish capability.

Strategic Vision

Aim to serve early- to late-phase ADC development from a single site.
Already signed their first client (an Asian biotech) and targeting global ADC innovators.

Partnership: Lotte x NJ Bio

Formed an R&D alliance with NJ Bio (US) for linker-payload research and preclinical ADC design.

Celltrion

Pipeline-Centered ADC Acceleration

Pipeline Vision

In early 2025, Celltrion announced plans for 13 novel biologics by 2028, including 9 ADCs.

Internal Platform Expansion

Focus on target discovery, conjugation platform R&D, and clinical readiness.
Combining in-house biologics experience with new ADC-specific preclinical infrastructure.

Global Ambition

Positions Celltrion not only as a biosimilars leader but also as a next-gen biologics innovator.
Early INDs expected by 2026.

SK pharmteco

A New Powerhouse for ADC Payload Production

Diversifying Into ADCs

Originally centered on biologics, gene therapy, and small molecules, SK pharmteco announced in August 2023 its intention to "venture into mRNA and ADC businesses" while securing 12 global pharma clients and launching a U.S. R&D center kedglobal.com+2kedglobal.com+2linkedin.com+2.
In parallel, September 2024 saw a $260 million investment in a new Sejong facility designed to support peptide and ADC payload production linkedin.com.

Facility Highlights

135,800 ft² with eight production lines capable of producing tens of tons annually.
Includes peptide R&D labs, cGMP kilo-scale labs, and a pilot plant — ideal for early-stage ADC payload/generator supply.
Opens by late 2026, with an option for accelerated growth via a future sixth plant.

Strategic Investment Plan

SK pharmteco commits to allocating 600 billion KRW (~$440 million) from pre-IPO funding towards expanding ADC production capacity, anchoring the firm as a key payload supplier

As the global demand for Antibody-Drug Conjugates accelerates, South Korea is no longer a peripheral player—it is rapidly becoming a central force in the ADC manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. With CDMOs like Samsung Biologics, Lotte Biologics, Celltrion, and SK pharmteco investing boldly in infrastructure, technology platforms, and strategic capabilities, the nation is poised to serve not only as a regional hub but as a global partner in ADC development.

By building robust capabilities in payload production, conjugation, and biologics manufacturing, South Korea is laying the groundwork for full-spectrum ADC development and commercialization. This momentum—fueled by government support, cross-border partnerships, and growing biotech ambition—signals a defining era for Asia’s role in the future of precision oncology and targeted therapeutics.

Be at the Forefront of ADC Innovation

We invite you to be part of this transformative journey at the ADC & Bioconjugate East Asia Conference 2025, taking place on 25–26 September 2025 in Incheon, South Korea.

Mark your calendar and secure your spot. The future of ADCs is being built in East Asia - don’t miss it.

ADC & BIOCONJUGATE EAST ASIA 2025

#ADCBio2025 brings East Asia’s top experts together to advance ADC innovation and collaboration across biopharma, CMOs/CROs, regulators, and academia.

📍 Songdo Convensia, Incheon, South Korea 📆 26 September 2025

2025 SPEAKERS