#Japan #Tokyo #ADC #LOTTE BIOLOGICS #James Park

Lotte Biologics Secures ADC Manufacturing Agreement

Lotte Biologics, a South Korean company established under the joint investment of the Japan-Korea Lotte Group, has announced a pivotal manufacturing agreement on April 24 with a biotechnology firm based in Asia. This contract highlights the firm’s commitment to advance the development and production of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical designed to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to cancer cells, thus enhancing efficacy and minimizing side effects.

A Step Towards Comprehensive ADC Services

The newly signed contract marks the official commencement of operations at their ADC manufacturing facility. Lotte Biologics’ mission—to provide therapies that foster a healthier world—will be crucial as they aim to fulfill a wide array of client needs, ranging from clinical development to commercial production. To achieve this, they plan to collaborate with various stakeholders, reinforcing their one-stop comprehensive service for ADC development and manufacturing.

James Park, chairman and CEO of Lotte Biologics, commented on this significant milestone, expressing their commitment to provide high-quality ADCs consistently. He emphasized the company's role as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) capable of both antibody drugs and ADC production. Lotte Biologics aims to uphold social responsibility by enhancing the quality of patients’ lives and will focus on expanding collaborations with client companies primarily in Japan and across Asia.

Background of CEO James Park

James Park holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University. Before leading Lotte Biologics, he held high-ranking positions at global pharmaceutical companies including Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and served as the CEO of GC Cell, a specialized company in cell and gene therapy agents. As of January 2025, he is responsible for enhancing Lotte Biologics’ global CDMO business and diversifying its business network.

State-of-the-Art ADC Facility in Syracuse, New York

The contract comes shortly after the completion of the ADC manufacturing facility at the Syracuse BioCampus in New York, which is set to deliver tailored solutions for clients. The state-of-the-art facility is compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and boasts an integrated production and purification line capable of handling conjugation reactions up to 1,000 liters.

It features a single-use system that supports the entire process from antibody pre-treatment to automated aseptic filling of drug substances. Advanced analytical services, including in-house quality control (QC) testing and characterization evaluations, are also available.

Overview of Lotte Biologics

Founded in 2022 through a collaboration between South Korea and Japan, Lotte Biologics is a global CDMO focused on delivering high-quality biopharmaceuticals aiming for a healthier world. Following the acquisition of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing site from Bristol-Myers Squibb in Syracuse, Lotte Biologics is set to expand its capabilities in the ADC space, all the while pursuing to establish itself among the top 10 CDMOs globally. Additionally, they plan to build a mega plant in Songdo, Incheon, and are actively seeking partnerships and investments with leading firms in the biopharmaceutical industry throughout Japan.

Overview of Lotte Holdings

Lotte Holdings operates a diverse range of businesses, from confectionery and ice cream to professional sports, real estate, finance, and healthcare. The company aims to inspire innovation in its food business while creating fruitful collaborations focused on combining Japanese and Korean business seeds. Within the healthcare and biopharmaceutical sector, Lotte Holdings has established a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) segment to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and invest in promising startups specializing in advanced biopharmaceuticals and next-generation modalities, including nucleic acid and gene therapies.

Since its inception in Tokyo in 1948, Lotte Group has expanded its operations across 30 countries, becoming a pivotal contributor in fields like food, healthcare, and entertainment. With the vision of being a “Lifetime Value Creator,” the group is committed to delivering value throughout people's life cycles.