INCHEON, South Korea and SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2026
LOTTE Biologics has announced the successful completion of major construction activities and receipt of official approval for use of Plant 1 at its Songdo Bio Campus, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy and reinforcing its position in the rapidly growing biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) sector. Achieved approximately two years after groundbreaking in 2024, the project represents one of the fastest construction timelines among large-scale global biologics manufacturing facilities. The approval confirms that all critical infrastructure, including facility construction, manufacturing equipment, utility systems, automation platforms, electrical installations, piping networks, and process control systems, has been completed and prepared for the next phase of commissioning and validation. The milestone strengthens LOTTE Biologics’ ambition to become a leading global CDMO partner supporting biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies from clinical development through commercial manufacturing.
Advanced Biologics Manufacturing Facility Designed for Global Demand
Songdo Plant 1 has been developed as a 120,000-liter antibody manufacturing facility equipped with eight 15,000-liter stainless-steel bioreactors, enabling large-scale commercial production of biologic medicines. The facility incorporates advanced manufacturing technologies designed to support increasing global demand for monoclonal antibodies and other biologic therapies. LOTTE Biologics integrated operational expertise and manufacturing knowledge gained from its Syracuse Bio Campus in New York throughout the design and construction process. The company implemented a highly automated Manufacturing Control System (MCS) from the earliest stages of development to optimize production efficiency, ensure quality consistency, and enhance operational reliability.
The facility also supports next-generation bioprocessing approaches, including high-titer cell culture technologies, advanced perfusion manufacturing methods, automated material handling systems, and real-time digital monitoring platforms. These technologies are expected to improve production yields, strengthen manufacturing flexibility, and enable customized solutions for clients seeking reliable large-scale commercial manufacturing capabilities.
Dual-Site CDMO Strategy Expands Global Manufacturing Network
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The completion of Songdo Plant 1 significantly advances LOTTE Biologics’ dual-site manufacturing strategy, which integrates operations across the company’s facilities in South Korea and the United States. Under this model, the Syracuse Bio Campus will continue to support early-stage development programs, process optimization, and clinical supply manufacturing, while Songdo Plant 1 will serve as a large-scale commercial manufacturing hub for global clients. This integrated network allows LOTTE Biologics to offer seamless end-to-end CDMO services, supporting customers from preclinical and clinical development through commercial product launch and long-term supply.
The dual-site approach also addresses increasing industry demand for supply chain diversification, regional manufacturing flexibility, and risk mitigation strategies that have become critical priorities for biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. By connecting manufacturing operations across two major biopharmaceutical markets, LOTTE Biologics aims to provide customers with greater scalability, geographic reach, and operational resilience.
Preparing for GMP Readiness and Future Commercial Manufacturing
Following the approval for use, LOTTE Biologics plans to initiate full-scale commissioning activities and comprehensive production system validation during the second half of 2026. These efforts are intended to establish full GMP manufacturing readiness, ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards and enabling the facility to begin supporting commercial manufacturing programs. The company will continue investing in advanced digital systems, data-driven process optimization, and manufacturing automation to enhance productivity and quality competitiveness.
According to CEO James Park, the rapid completion of Songdo Plant 1 reflects the company’s engineering capabilities, strategic project management expertise, and collaborative support across the LOTTE Group. As biologics demand continues to accelerate globally, LOTTE Biologics believes its integrated manufacturing platform connecting Songdo and Syracuse will position the company as a trusted global CDMO partner capable of delivering speed, quality, flexibility, and scalability for customers developing the next generation of biologic therapies.
Source: LOTTE Biologics press release
