News / Korea / yonhap_finance
South Korean Biotech Sector Eyes Record-Breaking Year in Licensing Deals
Health Technology · Biotechnology · yonhap_finance · 2026-08-24
128940, 196170, 226950, 950220
South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech firms are on track to surpass last year's record in technology exports, fueled by a series of major global deals.
What Happened
Surge in Licensing Deals: South Korean biotech companies have already secured over 15 trillion won in technology export deals this year, putting them on track to exceed last year's record-breaking annual performance. Major firms are successfully leveraging their R&D capabilities to sign significant licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical giants.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Milestone: Hanmi Pharmaceutical recently signed a deal worth up to 3.2 trillion won with Genentech for its obesity treatment candidate HM17321, marking the largest single-candidate licensing deal in the company's history. This follows another major agreement earlier this year with Eli Lilly for a separate drug candidate.
Industry-Wide Momentum: Other companies including Alteogen, NeoImmuneTech, and OliX have also announced new licensing and commercialization partnerships with international firms in the second half of the year. These deals highlight the growing global demand for Korean proprietary technologies, ranging from subcutaneous injection platforms to T-cell amplification therapies.
Future Outlook: Industry analysts suggest that if the current pace of deal-making continues, the sector will likely set a new annual record for technology exports. The consistent success in securing these global partnerships underscores the strengthening competitiveness of the South Korean biotechnology industry.