BIX 2026, Korea’s largest bio industry event, opens as about 300 companies gather

[Financial News] BioPlus-Interphex Korea 2026 (BIX 2026), which brings together domestic and international biotech companies and experts, opened at COEX in Seoul on the 28th. Hosted by KBIO, the event runs for three days through the 30th under the theme “Real Innovation Glows in the Dark.” It is expected to provide a forum for discussing industry technologies and commercialization strategies, from AI-driven drug discovery and biopharmaceutical manufacturing to global investment and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
About 150 domestic and international officials attended the opening ceremony, including Koh Han-seung, chairman of KBIO; Lee Min-woo, head of the Industrial Growth Office at the Ministry of Trade and Industry; and Philip Jennings, deputy minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the event’s guest country.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Koh said, “The bio industry is navigating difficult conditions, including long research and development timelines and a slowdown in investment.” He added, “Because this industry treats people’s diseases and changes their lives, I hope investment and interest will continue.”
About 300 companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s event, with an exhibition featuring 600 booths. Domestic and international companies, including Samsung Bioepis, Sartorius, Merck and Thermo Fisher Scientific, are showcasing technologies and solutions related to drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, analytical equipment, automation and cold-chain logistics.
About 90 domestic and international speakers will take part in the conference, which will feature a total of 30 sessions. Topics include technology areas such as AI-driven drug discovery, radiopharmaceuticals (RPT), next-generation obesity treatments and space biopharma, as well as M&A, the creation of new biotech companies (NewCo), global investment and overseas expansion strategies.
The opening keynote was delivered by Dr. Sally Temple, co-founder of the Neural Stem Cell Institute and co-founder and chief scientific officer (CSO) of Luxa Biotechnology. Drawing on research into disease modeling and drug discovery using human stem cells, as well as cell therapies, she outlined directions for advancing treatments for neurological diseases and regenerative medicine.
On the 29th, Stuart Cable, global head of M&A and vice chair at the global law firm Goodwin Procter, will deliver a keynote address. Lee Byung-gun, a special adviser at Flagship Pioneering, will moderate a discussion on decision-making and negotiation strategies in global biotech M&A.
International cooperation is also a key agenda item. About 30 biotech and healthcare companies from Canada, the event’s guest country, are taking part as a delegation and will operate a national pavilion. Lithuania will also have a national pavilion to showcase its companies and technologies. KBIO will sign memorandums of understanding with the Canadian Biotechnology Association (BIOTECanada) on the 28th and the Spanish Bioindustry Association (ASEBIO) on the 30th to promote exchanges between companies and global business cooperation.
The exhibition offers a look at technologies across the bio industry, from research and development to production, analysis and logistics. On the final day of the event, Dr. Dion Kelly of Possibility Neurotechnologies will demonstrate a noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI). Using a headset that detects brainwaves to blow soap bubbles or operate a turntable, he will showcase technology designed to support the daily lives of people with limited mobility.

[email protected] Jeong Sang-hee Reporter