This article was released as Pharm Edaily Premium Content on January 14, 2026, at 9:56 AM.
[Kim Jiwan, Edaily Reporter] On January 6, several Korean pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies drew market attention after announcing technology milestones global partnerships and business progress.
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¹Ù´ÙÀ̾߱âÇÁ·Î±×·¥´Ù¿î·Îµå ojung Bio surged more than 10% in a single session following news of a strategic partnership with U.S. based AI and organ on a chip company Xellar Biosystems.
¹Ù´ÙÀ̾߱â2 T&R Biofab highlighted its technological competitiveness after publishing preclinical nerve regeneration research based on 3D bioprinting in an international journal, sending its shares up more tha
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HLB Pep also maintained upward momentum after securing a peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) CDMO contract, with its stock settling firmly in the 9,000won range after three
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Woojung Bio Xellar Partnership Boost
Woojung Bio shares jumped sharply after the company announced a partnership with Xellar Biosystems a U.S. organ on a chip speci
¸±°ÔÀÓ¿À¼ÇÆÄ¶ó´ÙÀ̽º alist.
According to KG Zeroin¡¯s MP Doctor (formerly Market Point) Woojung Bio closed at 1,970 won, up 10.23% (200 won) from the previous session.
Xellar is a leading organ on a chip company founded by researchers from Emulate and the Harvard Wyss Institute. Headquartered in Boston the AI based biotech firm combines 3D human tissue models with machine learning to enhance efficacy, toxicity and clinical predictability in early stage drug development.
Heejung Chun CEO of Woojung Bio. (Photo = Woojung Bio)
Xellar provides an AI driven organ on a chip platform computer vision based image analysis pipelines, and advanced data analytics capabilities. Woojung Bio plans to integrate these technologies with its accumulated experience and infrastructure in translational and nonclinical research.
The two companies will focus on joint research projects workflow and technology integration and the co development of differentiated nonclinical evaluation solutions.
Xin Xie, CEO of Xellar Biosystems, said the collaboration marks an important milestone in expanding Xellar¡¯s organ on a chip and AI technologies into global markets.
¡°By working together we aim to better connect advanced in vitro platforms with real world translational research needs and create greater value across the life sciences ecosystem.¡± he said.
Cheon Hee jung CEO of Woojung Bio added that the adoption of highly human relevant approaches in nonclinical research is accelerating and that the partnership with Xellar will strengthen the company¡¯s competitiveness in next generation nonclinical markets.
T&R Biofab 3D Bioprinting Breakthrough
T&R Biofab gained attention after reporting research achievements in nerve regeneration using bioprinting technology. The company said its preclinical study inducing peripheral nerve regeneration through 3D bioprinting and composite biomaterials was published in an international academic journal.
Shares of T&R Biofab rose 290 won (7.03%) to close at 4,410 won. The company announced that its research on 3D bioprinted peripheral nerve guidance conduits and related preclinical trials was published in Polymers an SCIE indexed journal.
T&R Biofab focused on the challenge that recovery becomes increasingly difficult as the defect length of peripheral nerve injuries often caused by traffic or industrial accidents grows larger. Conventional autologous nerve grafting requires additional surgery and can lead to sensory loss at the donor site prompting the company to pursue alternative treatment approaches.
Using 3D printing, the company developed a multilayer nerve guidance conduit combining synthetic polymer polycaprolactone (PCL) with porcine derived extracellular matrix (ECM). The PCL cylindrical frame provides mechanical support while the ECM layer promotes nerve cell adhesion and migration.
Mechanical testing showed that the structure maintained sufficient strength and shape stability under simulated surgical and in vivo conditions. Long term implantation tests also confirmed stable adhesion between the PCL and ECM layers with no structural separation observed.
In preclinical animal studies using a rabbit sciatic nerve defect model the conduit demonstrated significant improvements over PCL only structures including enhanced axonal growth increased Schwann cell infiltration improved tissue integration and reduced inflammatory response. Notably nerve regeneration outcomes were comparable to those seen with autologous nerve grafts.
CEO Yoon Won soo said the study is meaningful in proposing a new option for long gap peripheral nerve injuries and that the company plans to expand applications into soft tissue regeneration fields such as traumatic nerve injury breast reconstruction and maxillofacial surgery.
TnR Craniofacial Implant (CFI) for Skull and Facial Bones. (Image = Edaily DB)
HLB Pep CDMO Momentum Continues
HLB Pep continued its upward trend after securing a peptide API CDMO contract early in the year. The company¡¯s shares rose 3.16% (280 won) to close at 9,150 won marking a return to the 9,000won range after just three trading days.
HLB Pep, an affiliate of HLB Group, announced on January 2 that it had signed a contract with neurodegenerative drug developer Gencure to manufacture clinical-stage peptide APIs for an ALS treatment.
The contract is valued at 765 million won, with HLB Pep responsible for the entire process from raw material process development and analytical method establishment to manufacturing and regulatory documentation to meet U.S. FDA Phase 1 approval requirements.
The deal reflects market recognition of HLB Pep¡¯s global-quality control and regulatory compliance capabilities based on its GMP certified peptide API manufacturing facilities. In particular, the company has demonstrated competitiveness in meeting global clinical API demand through its FDA compliant cGMP system.
Since joining the HLB Group in March last year HLB Pep has expanded large-scale peptide synthesis and advanced purification facilities while upgrading existing GMP infrastructure to FDA cGMP standards. This has enabled the company to offer customized CDMO services spanning early process development through commercial manufacturing.
This year, HLB Pep plans to work with U.S. pharmaceutical companies to sequentially pursue FDA approvals for key peptide APIs, including leuprorelin (for precocious puberty and prostate cancer), ganirelix (fertility treatment) and vasopressin (antidiuretic).
Beyond CDMO, the company is accelerating expansion into new businesses. Leveraging its peptide expertise, HLB Pep is developing long acting injectable platforms for diabetes and obesity treatments with plans to extend research into oncology and anti inflammatory areas.
The company has also entered the commercialization phase of its beauty business, developing cosmetics that significantly improve skin delivery of curcumin known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects but limited by poor absorption.
CEO Sim Kyung jae said infrastructure upgrades and fundamental improvements following the HLB Group acquisition are rapidly translating into results adding that the company aims to make 2026 a starting point for enhancing shareholder value through both its core and new businesses.
±èÁö¿Ï (2pac@edaily.co.kr)