DuChemBio to Build Radiopharmaceutical CDMO Facility in Jeongeup, South Korea

DuChemBio will invest KRW 34.3 billion (approximately USD 25.6 million) to establish a radiopharmaceutical CDMO facility and R&D centre in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk Province, South Korea, with further expansion planned into radioisotope and active pharmaceutical ingredient production.

DuChemBio investment agreement ceremony in Jeongeup, South Korea. Image: Jeonbuk Province

The investment will be carried out in phases through 2032 at the Jeongeup Advanced Science Industrial Complex. From 2027 to 2030, DuChemBio plans to establish the radiopharmaceutical CDMO facility, R&D centre and production facilities. A second phase from 2031 to 2032 will add radioisotope and active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing capabilities.

The site is planned to produce radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as next-generation radioligand therapies for cancer treatment. DuChemBio currently operates 12 radiopharmaceutical manufacturing sites across South Korea, including five GMP-certified facilities.

The Jeongeup site is also expected to improve regional access to radiopharmaceuticals. Given their short half-lives, proximity between production sites and healthcare institutions is important. While DuChemBio operates a nationwide manufacturing network, the Honam region currently lacks a dedicated local production base and depends on supplies from facilities in other parts of the country.

Once operational, the Jeongeup facility is expected to enable same-day supply to healthcare institutions across the Honam and Chungcheong regions.

DuChemBio holds a 53.2% share of South Korea’s radiopharmaceutical market for cancer diagnosis and a 94.8% share of the market for dementia diagnosis.

Source: Jeonbuk Province, DuChemBio