Korean Biotech Ignites the Organoid Race

Organoids—often called “mini-organs”—are emerging as a key growth engine in South Korea’s biotech sector. Positioned at the crossroads of ethical concerns over animal testing and the limitations of conventional preclinical models, organoids are driving a shift in the drug development paradigm. Once confined to major institutions, the technology is now spreading across startups, SMEs, and government-led initiatives.

According to industry sources, biotech firms of all sizes in Korea are now investing in organoid research and development.

In June, Samsung Biologics launched the “Samsung Organoid” service to support oncology drug screening using cancer patient-derived organoids. Unlike traditional cell lines or animal models, organoids better replicate human disease responses, offering improved predictability and cost efficiency. Samsung aims to leverage this personalized platform to increase drug development success rates.

The move is widely viewed as a strategic expansion of Samsung Biologics’ CDMO model into the CRO domain. Backed by its GMP infrastructure and more than 350 global regulatory approvals, the company plans to position itself as a full-service provider throughout the drug development lifecycle, anchored by organoid-based solutions.

In dermatology, Kangstem Biotech is developing an atopic dermatitis model using flat skin organoids derived from stem cells. The company has demonstrated that balancing skin microbiota—including Cutibacterium acnes—can improve symptoms, and has filed patents related to these findings. It is also advancing the model through joint research with Seoul National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

In the field of retinal diseases, Samil Pharmaceutical is working with Singularity Biotech to develop treatments for rare inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Singularity is creating human-like retinal models from pluripotent stem cells and developing a therapy involving intravitreal injection of derived retinal progenitor cells. Samil plans to integrate this platform with its clinical development and commercialization strengths to target the underserved rare eye disease market.

Next&Bio and GC Cell are collaborating on precision oncology models. Next&Bio is leading a national R&D project supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to build efficacy assessment technologies using microphysiological systems (MPS), which simulate the tumor microenvironment. GC Cell is using this platform to evaluate CAR-NK therapies, aiming to establish MPS as a new benchmark in cell therapy testing.

Organoid Science is among the most active companies in commercializing organoid platforms. Its proprietary system, ODISEI, integrates multi-organoid systems that replicate complex human organ functions and disease conditions. The platform enables multidimensional drug response analysis and has already been adopted by over 40 pharmaceutical firms. The company reported a tenfold increase in annual revenue.

Organoid Science is also advancing its own pipeline, including A-TORM-C for Crohn’s disease, with Korean market entry planned for 2027 and global launch by 2029. To support this, the company has built a manufacturing subsidiary in Vietnam and established branches in the U.S. and Germany.

Nexel, specializing in heart, liver, and lung organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), holds multiple patents for its disease models and drug candidates such as NP-011. The company is also developing rare disease models, including Wilson’s disease in collaboration with KIT, and a model for pulmonary fibrosis.

These initiatives reflect a collective effort by Korean firms to establish early dominance in a fast-growing market. According to Research and Markets, the global organoid market is projected to grow from $1 billion in 2023 to $3.3 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of over 22%.

In a further boost, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety launched an “Organoid Testing Method International Standardization Committee” in June and is working with the OECD to create the world’s first guideline for liver organoid-based toxicity testing. This aligns with global trends, including the U.S. FDA’s push to reduce animal testing through New Approach Methodologies (NAM), positioning organoids as a future national core technology.