Bio Korea in April 2026

 

WHAT 

South Korea has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic life-science and biotechnology hubs, driven by a powerful combination of demographic urgency, strong government policy, advanced manufacturing, and global-scale industrial players.

With the world’s lowest birth rate and one of the fastest-aging populations, Korea is facing structural healthcare demand that is fundamentally reshaping its pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-technology sectors. This demographic reality has made life sciences a national strategic priority, with innovation in therapeutics, diagnostics, and healthcare delivery at the center of economic and industrial policy.

For Swedish life-science companies, Korea is not only a sales market—it is a strategic partner ecosystem for co-development, scale-up, and global expansion. This makes Korea an exceptionally relevant and high-potential destination for Swedish innovation in the coming decade.

Pharmaceuticals

  • Market size of South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector reached 21.8 BUSD in 2024, making 3rd largest market in Asia.
  • Of 61 biosimilars approved by FDA, South Korea developed 14- the second highest number after USA.
  • Several large Korean pharmaceutical companies are collaborating with international pharmaceuticals companies from licensing to joint research opportunities.
  • As the manufacturing capabilities of key Korean companies grew, interest in new modalities and advanced therapy has increased.

Digital technologies in Life science

  • With the new government’s initiatives on industry strategy, pharmaceuticals and healthcare are the key areas to implement AI.
  • In pharmaceuticals, South Korean authorities are committed to strengthen AI driven drug development and new drug discoveries, and key South Korean pharmaceutical companies has announced their AI strategies on drug discovery.
  • As South Korea has world’s bet 5G infrastructure and has established digitized medical data, there are strong pursue in integration of data and development on post-treatment/ preventive/ predictive care solution for conditions like cancer, skin disease and chronic diseases.
     
HOW 

Connect and develop an international network in one of the fastest-growing life science markets in the world. In collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul and Korean life science industry associations, Business Sweden aims to strengthen cooperation between Sweden and South Korea.

At Bio Korea 2026, Swedish delegates will have opportunities to showcase their innovative life science pipelines and technologies and build network by utilizing Bio Korea’s ‘Business Partnering’ platform. The overarching goal of the event is to promote Sweden's innovative life science industry to Korean stakeholders and create an environment/network that accelerates business collaborations.

Place: COEX, Seoul, South Korea
Date: 27-30 April 2026

 

CONTACT US 

For more information contact Somin Park at Somin.Park@business-sweden.se