Roche has announced an investment of approximately $480 million (710 billion won) in South Korea over the next five years to strengthen the country's research and development infrastructure and foster a global clinical trial ecosystem. The funds will be used to attract clinical trials, particularly those focused on challenging diseases, train specialized R&D personnel, and support domestic biotech startups aiming for international growth.
A Roche spokesperson confirmed the details of the investment, stating that the partnership with the Korean government will "strengthen the core competitiveness of Korea’s bio-healthcare industry."
This move aligns with a broader trend in which pharmaceutical companies are expanding their clinical trials outside their home countries. South Korea has become a preferred location for multinational pharmaceutical firms due to its expertise in antibody-drug conjugates as well as cell and gene therapies, according to a report by McKinsey from January.
In recent years, other major pharmaceutical investments have targeted South Korea. GSK recently partnered with Alteogen to develop a subcutaneous version of Jemperli, offering $20 million upfront and up to $265 million in milestone payments. In November 2025, Lilly committed more than $2.6 billion in collaboration with ABL Bio to access its bispecific antibody platform.
Meanwhile, China remains a significant recipient of biopharma investment. Between 2019 and 2024, private equity and venture capital funding in China's biopharma sector reached $26 billion, not including numerous licensing agreements. If current trends continue, IQVIA projects that deal volume between Chinese and multinational companies could surpass 100 agreements in 2025 (source).
The globalization of clinical trials has prompted regulatory responses. In December 2025, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary suggested imposing higher user fees on companies conducting Phase 1 studies abroad as part of efforts to address concerns about moving early-stage trials out of the United States.
