K-Bio Lab Hub construction begins in Songdo to support biotech startups

Construction has officially begun on the ‘K-Bio Lab Hub’ in Songdo, Incheon, a national project designed to foster global biotech startups. Modeled after Boston’s LabCentral, the facility aims to transform the Songdo cluster from a production-focused hub into a comprehensive ecosystem covering R&D, commercialization, and open innovation.

The facility, located at the Yonsei University International Campus, will consist of a nine-story building with a total floor area of 20,375 square meters. It is designed to accommodate 60 biotech companies, including 50 early-stage and 10 growth-stage firms. The hub will provide access to 134 types of high-end research equipment and specialized laboratory spaces.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the project includes a 41.4 billion won support program starting in 2029. This initiative will offer six specialized programs covering the entire drug development lifecycle, from candidate substance discovery and preclinical/clinical trials to licensing and investment attraction. The project leverages Songdo’s existing industrial strength, connecting startups with major players such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, SK Bioscience, and Lotte Biologics, as well as academic and medical institutions like Yonsei Severance Hospital.