BIX 2026 to explore the future of obesity treatments as full conference agenda is unveiled

BIOPLUS-INTERPHEX KOREA 2026 (BIX 2026) has unveiled its full conference programme ahead of the event, which takes place at COEX in Seoul, South Korea, from 28 to 30 October.

The convention, described as Korea's largest biotechnology and pharmaceutical event, is expected to welcome more than 300 companies and over 90 speakers from South Korea and overseas. Its programme will examine emerging technologies, investment opportunities and commercial strategies shaping the global life sciences industry.

Key topics include AI-driven drug development, radiopharmaceuticals, investment and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), regulatory developments and international expansion. The agenda will also explore emerging applications of biotechnology in preventive nutrition, connected care, space biotech, animal health and beauty.

Post-GLP-1 therapies take centre stage

Among the programme's headline sessions is Post-GLP-1: Who Will Lead the Next Expansion of the Obesity Market?, which will examine the next phase of competition in obesity treatment following the commercial success of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies.

As pharmaceutical companies advance next-generation obesity treatment candidates, the session will consider the factors likely to influence the market, including clinical differentiation, drug pricing, patient access, manufacturing capacity and partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies.

The discussion will bring together perspectives from investors, biotechnology developers and pharmaceutical executives.

Speakers include Billy Cho, PE and Head of JVC at CBC Group; Huizhong Xiong, Vice President of Innovent Biologics; Inyoung Choi, PhD, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Division at Hanmi Pharmaceutical; and Seulki Lee, CEO of D&D Pharmatech.

Cho will discuss the obesity treatment sector from a global investment perspective, including how therapeutic efficacy, pricing, patient access and supply capabilities influence investment decisions and dealmaking.

Xiong will draw on Innovent Biologics' experience working with international pharmaceutical companies to examine how Chinese biotechnology businesses can expand globally and advance their obesity and metabolic disease pipelines.

Choi will outline strategies for Korean pharmaceutical companies seeking to differentiate their products and secure international partnerships, while addressing pricing and access challenges. Lee will focus on next-generation drug development, including multi-agonist approaches and unmet needs in the current GLP-1 treatment landscape.

Investment, innovation and international partnerships

Beyond obesity therapeutics, BIX 2026 will address wider changes in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in drug development, developments in radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) and the emergence of NewCo models.

The programme will also examine the investment and M&A environment, regulatory considerations and strategies for entering international markets, reflecting the commercial and scientific challenges facing companies looking to develop and scale new technologies.

Seung-kyou Lee, Vice President of the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO), said the convergence of next-generation therapeutics, AI advances, changing investment dynamics and intensifying global competition was reshaping business strategies across the bioindustry.

He added that BIX 2026 aims to provide a platform for industry participants to exchange market insights, identify potential partners and explore new business opportunities.

Business partnering and exhibition opportunities

Alongside its conference programme, BIX 2026 will feature approximately 600 exhibition booths, providing opportunities for Korean and international companies to showcase their technologies and explore potential collaborations.

Online business partnering is already underway, allowing exhibiting companies and pre-registered visitors to search for relevant companies and buyers and request meetings ahead of the event.

With its combination of technical discussions, market analysis and business development opportunities, BIX 2026 will bring together stakeholders from across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem to discuss the technologies and commercial strategies influencing the sector's next phase of growth.

The full conference schedule, speaker information, exhibitor details and registration information are available through the official BIX 2026 website.