Global pharmaceutical companies are accelerating their efforts in 'open innovation' to discover and nurture early-stage biotech firms. This approach goes beyond merely acquiring promising technologies; it includes providing research space, specialized personnel, mentoring, and connections to investors to cultivate next-generation drug candidates.
According to research firm Vision Life Sciences, the global biopharma licensing market recorded a historic high last year, with 516 transactions generating over $250 billion. Open innovation has evolved into an industrial strategy that supports not only the introduction of technologies but also the research, development, and commercialization of early-stage biotech firms.
Among the major global pharmaceutical companies, Eli Lilly's 'Lilly Gateway Labs' stands out. Lilly provides research space and laboratory equipment to early-stage biotech firms, along with mentoring from its research team, collaborative research and development, and support for attracting external investments.
Since its launch in 2019, approximately 400 biotech firms have taken residence at Gateway Labs, which has facilitated over $3 billion in cumulative investments for these companies. They are reportedly working on more than 150 drug development programs. Additionally, Lilly plans to establish a Gateway Labs base in South Korea in collaboration with Samsung Biologics.
Domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies are also entering the competition to secure promising startups through collaborative research, technology validation, and investment connections.
For instance, Samsung Bioepis has partnered with the Seoul Biohub to discover next-generation drug platforms. This year, Samsung Bioepis selected 'Fraser Therapeutics,' which has a targeted protein degradation (TPD) platform, and 'Bionaut,' which specializes in AI-based chemical proteomics, as participants in its open innovation program.
Samsung Bioepis will provide these companies with technology enhancement, mentoring, and commercialization consulting for one year. After the program concludes, they will explore practical collaboration opportunities, including joint research, technology transfer, and strategic investments.
Daewon Pharmaceutical is seeking partners in drug delivery technology. This year's program, conducted in collaboration with the Seoul Biohub, has selected OmniaMed and Curiosa BioScience. OmniaMed is developing a drug delivery system (DDS) that targets and releases drugs in response to high concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) found in inflammatory and cancerous tissues. Curiosa BioScience is working on long-acting injectable formulations and peptide oral delivery systems based on its 'SNAP' platform.
Additionally, Celltrion is collaborating with AINB, EnbioCell, Imitascience, and Podotherapeutics to develop new antibody technologies. SK Biopharm is focusing on innovative drug development in CNS and aging in partnership with Novarex and Three Brooks Therapeutics. A representative from the Seoul Biohub stated, "We will strengthen support to identify suitable companies based on technology areas, development stages, and collaboration needs, ensuring that follow-up discussions lead to actual joint research, technology validation, and business development."
The market observes that the approach to 'finding technology' has changed. An industry insider noted, "In the past, big pharma focused on candidate substances that had entered clinical stages or already validated platforms for technology acquisition and mergers. However, as drug development technologies rapidly diversify and new platforms like AI, TPD, and DDS emerge, it has become crucial to establish relationships with promising companies from the early stages."
According to research firm Vision Life Sciences, the global biopharma licensing market recorded a historic high last year, with 516 transactions generating over $250 billion. Open innovation has evolved into an industrial strategy that supports not only the introduction of technologies but also the research, development, and commercialization of early-stage biotech firms.
Among the major global pharmaceutical companies, Eli Lilly's 'Lilly Gateway Labs' stands out. Lilly provides research space and laboratory equipment to early-stage biotech firms, along with mentoring from its research team, collaborative research and development, and support for attracting external investments.
Since its launch in 2019, approximately 400 biotech firms have taken residence at Gateway Labs, which has facilitated over $3 billion in cumulative investments for these companies. They are reportedly working on more than 150 drug development programs. Additionally, Lilly plans to establish a Gateway Labs base in South Korea in collaboration with Samsung Biologics.
Domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies are also entering the competition to secure promising startups through collaborative research, technology validation, and investment connections.
For instance, Samsung Bioepis has partnered with the Seoul Biohub to discover next-generation drug platforms. This year, Samsung Bioepis selected 'Fraser Therapeutics,' which has a targeted protein degradation (TPD) platform, and 'Bionaut,' which specializes in AI-based chemical proteomics, as participants in its open innovation program.
Samsung Bioepis will provide these companies with technology enhancement, mentoring, and commercialization consulting for one year. After the program concludes, they will explore practical collaboration opportunities, including joint research, technology transfer, and strategic investments.
Daewon Pharmaceutical is seeking partners in drug delivery technology. This year's program, conducted in collaboration with the Seoul Biohub, has selected OmniaMed and Curiosa BioScience. OmniaMed is developing a drug delivery system (DDS) that targets and releases drugs in response to high concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) found in inflammatory and cancerous tissues. Curiosa BioScience is working on long-acting injectable formulations and peptide oral delivery systems based on its 'SNAP' platform.
Additionally, Celltrion is collaborating with AINB, EnbioCell, Imitascience, and Podotherapeutics to develop new antibody technologies. SK Biopharm is focusing on innovative drug development in CNS and aging in partnership with Novarex and Three Brooks Therapeutics. A representative from the Seoul Biohub stated, "We will strengthen support to identify suitable companies based on technology areas, development stages, and collaboration needs, ensuring that follow-up discussions lead to actual joint research, technology validation, and business development."
The market observes that the approach to 'finding technology' has changed. An industry insider noted, "In the past, big pharma focused on candidate substances that had entered clinical stages or already validated platforms for technology acquisition and mergers. However, as drug development technologies rapidly diversify and new platforms like AI, TPD, and DDS emerge, it has become crucial to establish relationships with promising companies from the early stages."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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