SK pharmteco and Lotte Biologics have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a strategic collaboration to strengthen their competitiveness in the global antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) market.

Through this collaboration, the two companies will jointly investigate providing integrated, one-stop CDMO services to global clients, offering differentiated ADC solutions that span from development to commercial manufacturing.

Lotte Biologics will utilize its cGMP manufacturing capabilities and global quality competitiveness at its Syracuse Bio Campus in the U.S. to deliver high-quality bioconjugation and drug substance manufacturing services. Meanwhile, SK pharmteco will be responsible for linker–payload development and manufacturing within the chemical-synthesis portion of the process, complementing Lotte Biologics’ bioconjugation and drug-substance manufacturing.

By combining technical expertise and global networks, the companies aim to create a fully integrated CDMO platform that minimizes development-to-manufacturing gaps, offers customized solutions for clients, and strengthens competitiveness in the rapidly expanding ADC sector. They also plan to jointly pursue global marketing and client engagement to expand their customer base across key markets.

Additionally, the partnership aligns with the ongoing global trend toward supply chain reshoring, as each company possesses advanced manufacturing infrastructures in both the U.S. and Europe.

Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO of SK pharmteco, said, “This strategic partnership will supercharge the development of next-generation therapeutics, positioning both companies to deliver significantly greater value and accelerate the delivery of innovative new medicines to patients around the world.”

James Park, CEO of Lotte Biologics, added, “This collaboration marks a meaningful milestone, as two leading Korean biopharma companies join forces on the global stage. By combining our strengths in advanced modalities such as ADCs, we will reinforce Korea’s biopharmaceutical leadership and accelerate our growth in the global market.”