On Jan. 1, Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization Chairman Ko Han-seung said, "We will make 2026 the first year in which Korea's bio industry proves its competitiveness in the global market and concentrate all of the association's capabilities on policy and system improvements and support for global expansion."
In a New Year's address the same day, Ko said, "The global expansion of Korea's bio corporations will further grow, and the presence of Korea's bio corporations is expected to become even clearer in the global pipeline market," making the above point.
Ko noted, "2025 was a year of significant uncertainty in both international affairs and the industrial environment," adding, "The U.S.-driven global trade environment changed rapidly with issues such as U.S. pharmaceutical tariff matters and the renewed push for a biosecurity law, and corporations had to seek new strategies amid an unpredictable situation."
However, Ko assessed that even in this environment, "Korea's bio industry produced meaningful results." He emphasized, "In a variety of areas including platform technologies, ADC (antibody-drug conjugates), autoimmune diseases, and obesity treatments, domestic corporations expanded cooperation with global corporations and posted a record-high annual technology export performance of about 20 trillion won."
Ko predicted, "2026 will be an important year when these possibilities lead to sustainable competitiveness." In particular, he assessed that the convergence of bio and artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the industrial structure itself. He explained, "Across the bio industry, including the use of AI in new drug development, AI-based animal testing, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing process technologies, AI will act as an accelerator of industrial growth."
He also repeatedly stressed the importance of policy and systems. Ko urged, "We hope the new government will clearly recognize the bio industry as a core national strategic industry and actively push policies that support regulatory improvements, the creation of an investment environment, and the development of a sustainable bio ecosystem."
On the association's role, he said, "We will fulfill our role as a reliable partner of the industry amid the currents of change." The plan is to take the lead in moving beyond the bio industry to a bioeconomy through support for entry into global markets, cultivation of specialized talent, and balanced development of the industrial ecosystem. He also made clear that the association will focus on practical support so that voices from the field are reflected in policy and the achievements of corporations can lead to growth for the industry as a whole.
Ko concluded, "We hope 2026 will be a meaningful year in which Korea's bio industry takes another leap forward," adding, "We will actively support the growth of member companies and do our utmost for industrial development as an association representing the industry."