[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] ILDONG PHARM(249420)participated in a global pharmaceutical and biotech exhibition held in Milan, Italy, and engaged in partnering activities to expand its overseas business, including the export of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished pharmaceutical products, contract manufacturing (CMO), and technology transfers for new drugs.

ILDONG PHARM announced on the 12th that it participated in “CPHI Worldwide 2026,” held in Milan, Italy, from the 6th to the 8th, to discuss business cooperation opportunities with overseas pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

CPHI Worldwide is an international exhibition covering the entire pharmaceutical industry, from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to finished pharmaceutical products, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and manufacturing facilities. Every year, global pharmaceutical companies and API and finished drug manufacturers participate to seek supply contracts and business partnership opportunities.

ILDONG PHARM set up a promotional booth in the Korea Pavilion at the event and held partnering meetings with overseas companies to discuss business development and partnerships.

Key products discussed included two- and three-ingredient combination drugs for cardiovascular diseases—which the company is expanding the supply of, particularly in Southeast Asia—as well as anticancer drugs, antibiotics, and wound care dressings. ILDONG PHARM discussed strategies to broaden the supply regions for its existing export products and secure new business partners.

The company also introduced its contract manufacturing organization (CMO) business, which leverages its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. ILDONG PHARM produces finished pharmaceutical products at its Anseong plant in Gyeonggi Province and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at its Cheongju plant in North Chungcheong Province. In particular, the Anseong plant features a dedicated manufacturing facility for cephalosporin antibiotics and cytotoxic anticancer agents. Antibiotics and anticancer agents require strict segregation during the manufacturing process to prevent cross-contamination with other drugs. ILDONG PHARM plans to leverage this manufacturing infrastructure to expand its contract manufacturing orders from overseas pharmaceutical companies.

The companies also discussed business collaboration opportunities in the healthcare sector, including probiotic ingredients, finished products, and functional cosmetics. Beyond pharmaceuticals, the company plans to expand its overseas business scope through original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and original design manufacturing (ODM).

The company also pursued partnerships to facilitate the global commercialization of its new drug pipeline. A key target is “Padofrazan” (ID120040002), a candidate drug for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) class. Padoprazan is an oral new drug candidate that inhibits the proton pump involved in gastric acid secretion. Currently, DaewonPharmaceutical is conducting a Phase 3 clinical trial in Korea for erosive and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Last November, ILDONG PHARM signed an agreement with Unovia—a company established in 2023 through the spin-off of its R&D division—to acquire the assets and rights to padoprazan. In accordance with the existing agreement, DaewonPharmaceutical(003220)is leading domestic development, approval, and commercialization, while ILDONG PHARM is pursuing overseas technology transfer and commercialization.

At this exhibition, ILDONG PHARM also discussed potential collaborations regarding the global development and commercialization of padoprazan. However, the company did not disclose whether any specific agreements were signed or the identities of the parties involved in the discussions.

An official from ILDONG PHARM stated, “We plan to expand our overseas business scope to include not only existing finished products and active pharmaceutical ingredients but also the healthcare and beauty sectors,” adding, “We will diversify our global business strategy by leveraging our CMO business and OEM/ODM models.”