# South Korean biotechnology industry expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-biotechnology-industry-expansion > Updated: 2026-10-06T01:02:09.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. South Korean pharmaceutical companies are transitioning from technology followers to global leaders through the development of blockbuster drugs and significant international acquisitions. Initial projections indicate that firms such as Celltrion and SK Biopharmaceuticals are on track to produce their first drugs generating over $1 billion in annual revenue by 2027. Specifically, Celltrion’s autoimmune treatment, Zymfentra, and SK Biopharmaceuticals’ epilepsy drug, Xcopri, are expected to see substantial revenue growth. This expansion is further evidenced by major biopharmaceutical transactions in the Asia-Pacific region. Samsung Biologics, SK Biopharm, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical have secured positions among the top 10 most influential deals in the region. These activities include the acquisition of Swiss peptide production infrastructure, the securing of exclusive rights to US-based drug candidates, and high-value licensing agreements with global entities like Genentech. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-06: South Korean biotech firms secure spots in top 10 APAC pharma deals Three South Korean firms—Samsung Biologics, SK Biopharm, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical—ranked in the top 10 most influential APAC biopharmaceutical deals of 2024. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-biotech-firms-secure-spots-in-top-10-apac-pharma-deals ### 2026-09-16: South Korean biotech firms approach first global blockbuster drugs South Korean drugs Zymfentra and Xcopri are projected to become global blockbusters by 2027, signaling the nation's rise as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-biotech-firms-approach-first-global-blockbuster-drugs --- Cite as: South Korean biotechnology industry expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-biotechnology-industry-expansion