Lilly, Samsung Biologics Form Alliance to Incubate Korean Biotech Ventures

Eli Lilly's decision to establish a biotech venture incubation hub in Songdo with Samsung Biologics on the 10th is seen as a strategic move to create a "forward base" for nurturing venture companies engaged in new drug research and development. Once operational, the hub is expected to form a "venture discovery–drug development–production" structure, where Lilly identifies promising biotech ventures and supports their R&D while Samsung Biologics handles manufacturing. Industry analysts suggest this could mark the establishment of a so-called "K-Bio Triangle Alliance" connecting global pharmaceutical companies, biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and biotech ventures.

Industry observers note that Lilly's choice of Samsung Biologics as its domestic incubation partner reflects the long-standing collaborative relationship and production infrastructure the two companies have built. Samsung Biologics and Lilly have maintained a partnership spanning nearly a decade. The companies notably deepened their trust through close collaboration on COVID-19 antibody treatment production, successfully shortening technology transfer timelines.

Samsung Biologics' manufacturing capacity is also cited as a key factor. The company is one of the world's largest biopharmaceutical CDMOs, with production capacity of 845,000 liters. For Lilly, large-scale production capabilities are essential as next-generation blockbuster drug candidates—including obesity and diabetes treatments Mounjaro and Zepbound, and Alzheimer's treatment donanemab—move toward commercialization. Analysts say this production infrastructure likely played a significant role in Lilly's decision to establish a collaborative foothold in Korea's bio ecosystem.

Lilly Gateway Labs will be housed in the open innovation center "C-Lab Outside," scheduled for completion in 2027, with capacity for approximately 30 biotech ventures. Tenant companies will receive research space and equipment, as well as scientific advisory services and joint research opportunities from Lilly researchers. Support will also include financing and networking with global venture capital investors.

Industry experts believe participation in an incubation program partnered with a global pharmaceutical company will positively impact investment attraction. Connection to a global pharmaceutical company's research network serves as a signal validating a biotech venture's technological capabilities, increasing the likelihood of securing venture capital investment. Additionally, the structure of direct mentoring and research collaboration from a global pharmaceutical company can help early-stage biotech ventures rapidly enhance their R&D capabilities.

This incubation model has already demonstrated results overseas. Lilly opened Gateway Labs in Beijing, China in 2025 and operates an incubation program targeting local biotech ventures. At the center's opening, Chinese biotech venture "4B Technologies," which develops treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, was selected as the first tenant company. The company has reportedly raised approximately $39 million (about 57 billion won) in investment to date.

Companies that have gone through the Lilly Gateway Labs program have collectively raised more than approximately $3 billion (about 4.3 trillion won) in investment and are developing over 50 drug candidates and platforms. Industry observers expect the Songdo hub to similarly serve as a bridgehead supporting the growth and global expansion of Korean biotech ventures based on this global incubation model.

An industry official said, "The combination of Lilly's research network and Samsung Biologics' production infrastructure could provide an opportunity for Korean biotech ventures to integrate into the global new drug development ecosystem. Once the Songdo hub becomes operational, a new collaborative structure connecting venture discovery, nurturing, and production will be created."

With Lilly Gateway Labs set to launch in 2027, Lilly's collaboration with domestic bio companies is expected to gain momentum. Another industry official noted, "Cooperation will expand not only with new drug candidates but also with emerging bio companies related to drugs Lilly is developing."

This agreement is also expected to mark the expansion of Samsung's external startup incubation program, C-Lab Outside, into the bio industry. C-Lab Outside, which began at Samsung Electronics in 2018, expanded to Samsung Financial Network's "Samsung Financial C-Lab Outside" in 2024.