Upcoming JPM 2026…K-bio focuses on 'global big deals'

Samsung Biologics·Celltrion 'Main Track'… focus on the reorganization of global supply chains

Alteogen·D&D Pharmatech·Hugel received official invitations for presentations on the Asia-Pacific (APAC) track…data-based notable results

Onconic Therapeutics·ABL Bio·STCube to focus on meetings during the 'JPM Week'… technology export opportunities

The '44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPMHC 2026)', the world's largest investment event, will be held from January 12 to 15 (local time), with major domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies participating to target the global market.

This year's event is expected to focus on the reorganization of global supply chains following the implementation of the U.S. Biosecure Act and innovation in drug development based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Korea's domestic companies plan to strengthen their status through main track presentations while aiming to derive future technology export results through business meetings.

JPMHC 2026 is a place where approximately 500 major global pharmaceutical companies, as well as domestic firms, share new R&D achievements and discuss the future direction of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. For domestic companies, JPMHC 2026 serves as an opportunity to achieve the major goals of 'technology export' and 'partnership formation'.

Samsung Biologics and Celltrion to give main track presentations…focus on CDMO strategies

The most notable participant is Samsung Biologics. The company has received an official invitation for the 10th consecutive year since 2017 and will take the stage in the Grand Ballroom, where only 25 top-tier companies selected by the hosts are featured.

CEO John Rim, serving as the speaker, is expected to officially declare the new CMO brand 'ExellenS'.

This branding represents Samsung Biologics' core value '4E (Excellence)' and will emphasize company's outstanding competitiveness in the contract manufacturing (CMO) field.

Notably, the presentation is likely to highlight the achievement of exceeding $20 billion (approx. KRW 26 trillion) in cumulative orders last year, the expansion of North American bases through the acquisition of the Rockville, Maryland plant, and the 'Super-Gap' strategy to absorb demand shifting away from Chinese CDMOs following the Biosecure Act.

Celltrion will also give a main track presentation to demonstrate the synergies of the integrated entity.

CEO Jinseok Seo, the eldest son of Chairman Jungjin Seo, is expected to step forward to announce a digital transformation roadmap that introduces AI platforms into areas of drug development to clinical trials and sales.

Furthermore, the company is expected to specify plans for a full-scale entry into the new CDMO business based on its recently secured production facilities in the U.S., declaring its leap from a biosimilar firm to a 'Total Healthcare Company'.

[Stock Photos] Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim delivers presentation at the 2025 Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

APAC track official invitations…scheduled to participate in JPM week meetings

Official invitations for presentations on the Asia-Pacific (APAC) track will include presentations of domestic firms.

Alteogen, invited as a presenting company, plans to explore additional export possibilities for its human hyaluronidase (ALT-B4) technology, which converts intravenous (IV) injections into subcutaneous (SC) formulations.

D&D Pharmatech also announced its selection as an APAC track presenter, unveiling its goal to expand contact with global investors and pharmaceutical companies.

D&D Pharmatech is expected to broaden its reach with multinational firms by emphasizing differentiated convenience during the 'New Obesity Drug' rush, presenting clinical progress and oral formulation technology for GLP-1 class obesity and metabolic disease treatments.

Hugel is also known to be planning a presentation on its strategy to expand North American market share for its FDA-approved botulinum toxin 'Letybo' and the synergy of its filler business.

Beyond the presentation tracks, the activities of biotechs seeking substantive licensing-out (L/O) contracts through unofficial meetings and showcases during JPM Week are also specified.

Onconic Therapeutics stated it will participate after receiving an official invitation for the second consecutive year and plans to hold serial meetings with global pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, and investment institutions.

ABL Bio will engage in follow-up discussions regarding its blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttle platform 'Grabody-B', which previously led to large-scale contracts with GSK (approx. KRW 4.1 trillion) and Eli Lilly (approx. KRW 3.8 trillion). 

Notably, the company plans to share plans for entering Phase 1 clinical trials for its bispecific antibody ADC pipelines (ABL206, ABL209) currently under development through its independent U.S. firm, 'NEOK Bio'.

STCube will put forward encouraging clinical data for its immune checkpoint inhibitor 'Nelmastobart'. 

Based on data proving the biomarker potential of the target protein BTN1A1, STCube is reportedly planning to discuss detailed business structures with global big pharma predicated on actual adoption.

ROKIT Healthcare plans to participate in the 'Biotech Showcase 2026' held during JPM Week to present its AI hyper-personalized organ regeneration platform.

STCube CSO Seung-han Yu stated, "Nelmastobart has great potential to become a new immune axis that supplements the limitations of existing immune checkpoint inhibitors," and added, "STCube will continue discussions with global companies centered on the mechanism and clinical data at this year's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference."

An anonymous domestic industry official stated, "J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference has become an event for South Korean companies to move beyond simple participation to becoming key partners for business discussions on innovative new drugs. As it is a major event at the start of the year, we expect achievements through active meetings during the event."