Biologic drug developers and bioprocess professionals from around the world will kick off a two-day conference in Incheon on Wednesday.

In Biologics World Korea 2013, biologic players at various stages of development will discuss strategies in biosimilar and biobetter development as well as cutting-edge advances in bioprocessing and bioanalytics.

According to IMAPAC, which organized the event, the global biologics market is valued at an estimated $149 billion and is expected to reach $230 billion by 2015. Monoclonal antibodies representing a share of 32 percent is the fastest growing area of the global pharmaceutical market.

With strong support from the government and active collaboration between industry and academia, South Korea’s biologics industry is well positioned to capitalize on this growing evolution.

While Celltrion, Samsung Biologics and LG Life Sciences are grabbing international headlines, other Korean innovative firms, such as Genexine, PharmAbcine, Alteogen and Ildong, are building up an impressive biological pipeline that can rival international players.

The keynote speaker is Stanley Hong, president of R&D of Celltrion, who gained the world’s first monoclonal antibody biosimilar approval. Celltrion just launched its product Remsima worldwide, and has signed distribution agreements with several pharmaceutical companies.

Another featured speaker is Paul Coleman, chief executive of Hanwha Biologics. He successfully led the company to its landmark deal to license its newly developed biosimilar compound to Merck.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)