[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] A forum will be held to discuss key challenges in the commercialization process for new drug development companies, ranging from entering clinical trials to obtaining regulatory approval, attracting investment, joint development, and selecting Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

The Microbial Demonstration Support Center and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital announced on the 7th that they will host the “New Drug Development Demonstration Support Network” on the 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 403 of the Suwon Convention Center. BX Plant, a company specializing in clinical development for the biotech and healthcare sectors, will organize the event.

The Microbial Validation Support Center is an institution that provides CDMO services, equipped with facilities capable of producing finished pharmaceutical products—including microbial-based drugs, vials, and pre-filled syringes. Through this event, the center plans to introduce the production infrastructure and support systems that companies can utilize during technology validation, clinical trials, and commercialization.

BX Plant, the event’s organizer, is a clinical development specialist that supports research and development (R&D) strategies, preclinical and clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and business development throughout the new drug and medical device development process. Founded in 2024 by co-CEOs Cho Min-geun and Kim Hee-sun—both former employees of DAEWOONGPHARMACEUTICAL—the company provides not only clinical trial management but also business development, technology commercialization, and investment connections.

This event is aimed at biotech companies preparing for clinical trials and commercialization from the early research stages, and will cover strategies for regulatory approval, clinical trials, business development (BD), investment, and the utilization of CDMO and CRO services, organized by sector.

HanmiPharm(128940)Yang Won-seok, an adjunct professor at Sungkyunkwan University’s College of Pharmacy who previously led global business development (BD) at D&D Pharmatech Inc.(347850), will present on “Regulatory and Commercialization Strategies for the Clinical Entry of Biopharmaceuticals.” Eum Hyun-ae, Managing Director at Huons Co., Ltd.(243070), will present on “Open Innovation Strategies for New Drug Development Validation and Joint Development,” while Park Ki-soo, Executive Director at Soliderus Investment, will discuss “Strategies for Enhancing Technology Value to Attract Investment.”

Kim Seong-il, Managing Director at BX Plant, will present on “Selecting CDMO and CRO Partners and Managing Outsourcing at Each Stage of New Drug Development.” He plans to cover factors to consider when selecting external specialized institutions from candidate compound development through the clinical phase, as well as strategies for managing multiple outsourcing partners.

Following the presentations, expert consultations will be held in various fields—including preclinical, clinical, and business development; investment and investor relations (IR); and CDMO—along with free networking sessions among participating companies. Participating companies can seek advice on strategies for entering clinical trials, attracting investment, joint development, production, and leveraging external partners, depending on their technologies and development stages.

The event is aimed at professionals in the new drug development and biotech industries, including companies developing microbiome-based drugs, adeno-associated virus (AAV), and messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics, as well as companies seeking CDMO services. Companies preparing to enter clinical trials or considering investment attraction, technology transfer, joint development with pharmaceutical companies, or the use of CROs and CDMOs are also welcome to participate.

A representative from BX Plant stated, “For biotech startups to translate their technologies into actual new drug development outcomes, it is crucial to integrate not only the technology itself but also clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, investment, and business development strategies at the appropriate stages.” The representative added, “We hope this event will serve as an opportunity for each company to review the strategies needed at their current development stage and to meet experts and partners with whom they can establish practical collaborations.”