Roche, a Swiss multinational healthcare company, is set to invest Won710bn ($481m) in South Korea’s healthcare and biotechnology industry over the forthcoming five years, The Korea Economic Daily reported.
The company plans to carry out global clinical trials in South Korea and expand research partnerships with local biotechnology firms.
South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and Roche signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise the agreement.
As part of the investment, Roche will focus on clinical trials for treating widespread and complex diseases, and advanced biopharmaceuticals.
The partnership also covers joint research programmes for providing training to clinical research specialists.
Roche’s collaboration with South Korean institutions aims to advance clinical trial activity and enhance expertise within the local industry.
The company’s latest decision comes as multinational drugmakers have been increasing their clinical research investments in South Korea, supported by the country’s robust trial infrastructure and medical workforce.
According to a report by the Korea Research-based Pharmaceutical Industry Association, pharmaceutical firms worldwide made an investment of approximately Won1.04tn in Korean clinical research in 2024, marking a 74% increase from 2020 levels.
Industry analysts point to South Korea’s concentration of experienced physicians, established hospital networks, and efficient patient recruitment processes as key factors driving this growth.
Cost efficiency is another factor attracting international pharmaceutical companies.
South Korea Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong was quoted by Yonhap News Agency as saying: “The MoU will serve as a stepping stone to elevate Korea's clinical trial capabilities to the next level and help local biohealth companies grow faster and expand into global markets.”
Roche’s initiative includes open-innovation programmes aimed at identifying and supporting emerging South Korean biotech companies.
This strategy aligns with broader industry trends where multinational drug manufacturers use partnerships for new drug candidate discoveries.
AstraZeneca signed an agreement with Seoul city government in 2025 to create a joint incubation centre at Seoul BioHub for biotech startups.
