Leading biopharmaceuticals firms, among them Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, have made large investments in Songdo to build up the city’s manufacturing capabilities. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – To maintain its status as the world’s largest biopharmaceuticals manufacturing city, voices in Songdo are calling for greater cooperation between the private and public sectors.
Leading biopharmaceuticals firms, among them Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, have made large investments in Songdo to build up the city’s manufacturing capabilities. By next year, production capacity is expected to reach 560,000 liters annually.
Fellow industry players Ajinomoto Genexine Co, Charles River Korea, Merck and GE Healthcare Korea have followed Samsung Biologics and Celltrion’s example by also setting up shop in Songdo.
Problems that have been pointed out since the influx are the lack of business connections between the various companies, varying sizes of different industries and a lack of integration amongst them, and a dearth of measures in place to support businesses.
To maintain its status as the world’s largest biopharmaceuticals manufacturing city, voices in Songdo are calling for greater cooperation between the private and public sectors. (Image: Yonhap)
On Nov. 30, Incheon Free Economic Zone chief Kim Jin-yong said, “Songdo’s biopharmaceuticals production facilities are the largest in the world, but [for Songdo] to continue to lead the development of the biopharmaceuticals industry, an organically formed partnership between government and the trio of industry – academia – research is necessary.”
Kim was speaking at the Songdo Biofront Symposium held at Songdo’s G Tower. In attendance were CEOs and managers from Celltrion, GE Healthcare Korea, and other biopharmaceutical companies.
Those present conferred amongst one another regarding Songdo’s biopharmaceutical production infrastructure and the need for land and support from public institutions.
The opinions expressed during the meeting will be considered by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and used to forge improved partnerships with organizations relevant to the biopharmaceuticals industry to encourage more companies to put down roots in Songdo.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
