Q. Samsung Bioepis has been participating as a representative sponsor of BIX for the past five years since the first Bioplus-Interpex Korea event in 2020. Why did Samsung Bioepis participate in BIX, and how have the results of your participation over the past five years helped your business?

A. As a leader in the Korean bio industry, Samsung Bioepis recognized the need for networking to revitalize the bio industry and create business opportunities for domestic bio companies. Our first partnership was at the 2018 Bioplus event, the predecessor of Bioplus-Interphex Korea, and have continued to participate in Bioplus-Interphex Korea since its rebranding in 2020.

Over the past five years, Bioplus-Interphex Korea has truly grown into Korea’s largest bio convention event. We are proud to say that Biolus-Interphex Korea provides various opportunities to companies through exhibitions, open innovation, partnering and more, helping them understand the latest biotechnology trends.

Samsung Bioepis has also benefited from Bioplus-Interphex Korea.The event allows us to expand our corporate awareness through the sponsorship as well as allowing our executives and colleagues to discover industry technology trends and create business opportunities through conferences and exhibitions.

Q. At BIX 2023, an autoimmune disorder (rheumatoid arthritis) patient experience kit was installed at the booth to increase understanding of the patients and the disease. I am curious about what visitors should pay attention to at this year’s Samsung Bioepis exhibition booth.

A. Through the exhibition, we are able to showcase the benefits of biosimilars including its affordability, accessibility and sustainability it plays in the healthcare ecosystem. At the event this year, we plan to highlight the company’s ongoing endeavors to better the lives of the patients through the company’s growth.

In addition, our exhibition booth will feature various programs including a quiz event where the participants are able to learn about how cost-effective biosimilars can be. For example, an annual treatment cost of 500 million KRW per patients in Korea was reduced to half through the introduction of eculizumab biosimilar in April.

Last year, we showcased ‘Experience Kits’ for autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis) and ophthalmic disease (macular degeneration) which offered a glimpse into the patients lives. Our booth wall also introduced the company’s global performance, commercialization capabilities as well as our impact on our patients and society. 

Q. This year, Samsung Bioepis will be holding a business session at the conference. We would appreciate it if you could let us know in advance what topic you will be running the session on and what the audience should expect.

A. Samsung Bioepis will hold a business session on the topic of biomaterials/parts/equipment testing program operations and best practices. To enhance the global competitiveness of Korean biomaterials, parts, and equipment companies, Samsung Bioepis has been providing free testing and technical feedback on products and prototypes produced by local bio companies since May 2022. Via our website, we receive test applications in various areas such as cell lines, culture processes, purification processes, and quality control (QC), and we provide consulting to improve their products and to strengthen their competitiveness.

As of May, a total of 22 items were tested through our program. We are committed to providing constructive feedbacks and consultation that will enhance the local companies’ technology and capability. We hope this session will allow for more biomaterials, parts, and equipment companies to participate in the testing program to improve their products and strengthen competitiveness.   

Q. Since you have been with BIX for a long time, I think you have also seen its growth. What is the best [program for BIX 2024] selected by Samsung Bioepis?

A. The session that we are most interested in is the session titled “Upscaling the Korean PME(Parts, Materials & Equipment) held from 16:00 to 17:30 on June 11. We have been striving to improve the competitiveness of the Korean biomaterials, parts, and equipment industry and establish a virtuous cycle in the K-bio ecosystem through the aforementioned biomaterials/parts/equipment testing program. We are interested in this session because if offers an opportunity for companies in various fields to present their successful cases of local production.

In Korea, the biomaterials, parts, and equipment market accounts for approximately 95% of foreign products. It is true that biotech companies are often passive in local production due to its reliability of domestically produced raw materials and re-obtaining licenses. This is why suppliers experience difficulties in testing their products even after they have been fully developed. There’s room for improvement for the infrastructure to grow and we are playing a small part to contribute to the industry’s effort. Fortunately, the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO) is establishing a mass production performance evaluation system for domestically produced biomaterials, parts, and equipment through cooperation with private companies and related organizations, which is expected to help strengthen the competitiveness of the biomaterials, parts, and equipment industry.