The BioCentury Show Ep. 87 – Korea’s Biotech Playbook: Orum CEO SJ Lee on Going Global and Creating Novel Therapies
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Jun 13, 2025 In this captivating discussion, SJ Lee, Founder and CEO of Orum Therapeutics, shares insights from his experience leading a biopharmaceutical company specializing in novel therapies. He emphasizes South Korea’s rapid globalization and unique strategies to compete worldwide. Lee elaborates on the importance of innovative collaborations and the evolving funding landscape for startups. He also reveals Orum's promising work on degrader-antibody conjugates, particularly targeting CD33, for treating acute myeloid leukemia, positioning Korea as a rising star in biotech.
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Korea's Unique Biotech Position
- Korea occupies a unique geographic and cultural position in East Asia, ideal for biotech global strategies.
- Korean biotechs tend to adopt global plans from day one due to a smaller domestic market size.
Korean Biotech Goes Global
- Korean companies attend major global biotech meetings heavily due to their global intent and need for partnerships.
- Investor interest in Korean biotech has doubled, reflecting growing global recognition.
Engage Locally to Find Innovation
- Western biopharma should engage locally in Seoul beyond major meetings to access unique and founder-driven Korean biotech innovations.
- Utilize government and local networks to discover less-exposed, novel biotech platforms in Korea.