CPhI Korea, organized by UBM, closed its doors in Seoul after another record-breaking event that attracted 4,300 attendees and 147 exhibitors. During the event, UBM undertook an in-depth onsite survey of both international and domestic attendees, with domestic companies reporting a headline growth in the order of 16 per cent across the South Korean pharma economy.

As the largest pharma event in South Korea, the confidence amongst the attendees is a good indication of the industry’s overall health. And, the onsite survey results showed that 75 per cent of domestic companies believe that the South Korean ‘biologics and biosimilars sectors will grow the fastest’. However, just 44.5 per cent of international companies agreed with this, with 30 per cent stating generics had the biggest potential.

Highlighting the positive impact the Incheon Free Economic Zone has had on the industry, 95 per cent of all respondents backed the government introducing ‘further similar incentives’. International respondents were also complimentary of government initiatives to position the country as a biotech leader. Over 85 per cent of them agreed that ‘Bio-Vision 2016 had been very successful and made good strides in achieving the goal of becoming a trusted market frontrunner’. Conversely, a diametric result was observed domestically as only 33 per cent of respondents saw the initiative as a success.

“CPhI Korea reflects this booming pharma economy and the event provided an on-the-ground view of the changes in the market. In particular, a higher demand for biologics products and high growth in the biosimilars sector is now complementing South Korean pharma’s strength in innovative products, with generics also showing promising growth,” commented Laura Murina, CPhI Korea Brand Manager.

International partnerships are quickly becoming a driving force for South Korea’s pharma sector. Highlighting this, over 95 per cent of the international companies surveyed, reported they are looking to work with South Korean partners in the next year, and 43 per cent of domestic respondents have undertaken work in international markets.

“CPhI Korea provides the international pharma community with a vast array of opportunities within the domestic market and there has been a visible shift towards South Korean companies starting to work together with the international industry at the event”, added Laura Murina.