Indonesia’s food and drug regulator has visited Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s new research center in Seoul as the Korean drugmaker seeks to deepen cooperation in new drug development, biologics and regulatory affairs in one of its key overseas markets.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical said an executive delegation from Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority, known as BPOM (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan), visited its Magok R&D Center during a trip to South Korea for the 2026 Global Bio Conference and meetings involving regulatory authorities in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the visit, the delegation reviewed Daewoong’s research infrastructure and its development programs for new drugs and biologics. The two sides also discussed cooperation involving product development, regulatory approvals and future clinical development in Indonesia.
New R&D hub becomes a platform for regulatory dialogue
Daewoong’s Magok R&D Center is a new research hub designed to strengthen the company’s global drug development capabilities.
The facility spans about 49,600 square meters from three basement levels to nine floors above ground and can accommodate more than 1,000 researchers. It brings together major research functions and infrastructure for pharmaceutical and biotechnology development.
Daewoong introduced the BPOM delegation to its R&D system for developing drugs for global markets and discussed how regulatory communication could support future development and commercialization in Indonesia.
The visit comes as BPOM seeks closer international regulatory cooperation in response to rapidly advancing biopharmaceutical technologies.
Taruna Ikrar, head of BPOM, highlighted the importance of science-based and flexible regulatory systems during the 2026 Global Bio Conference. He also emphasized regulatory harmonization and reliance, an approach under which regulators make greater use of assessments and information from trusted regulatory authorities while maintaining standards for quality, safety and efficacy.
BPOM’s regulatory capabilities received further international recognition in December 2025 when the World Health Organization designated the Indonesian authority as a WHO-Listed Authority in the vaccine sector.
Two decades of localization in Indonesia
The latest meeting also reflects Daewoong’s long-term strategy in Indonesia.
For more than two decades, the company has developed Indonesia as one of its major overseas pharmaceutical and biotechnology bases. Rather than relying solely on exports from South Korea, Daewoong has expanded into local manufacturing, R&D and professional workforce development.
The company has also worked with Indonesian research institutions in areas including cell therapies and advanced biopharmaceutical technologies, seeking to build local research and production capabilities alongside its commercial operations.
As that strategy expands, regulatory cooperation is becoming increasingly important. New drugs and biologics require continued interaction with regulators throughout development, clinical trials, approval and manufacturing, making communication with BPOM a key part of Daewoong’s longer-term presence in the country.
From market expansion to pharmaceutical ecosystem building
Rita Endang, a senior pharmaceutical adviser to the head of BPOM, said the delegation was able to see how Daewoong is continuing to strengthen its R&D capabilities in new drugs and biologics through the new center.
“BPOM will continue constructive regulatory communication with pharmaceutical companies that invest and conduct research and development activities in Indonesia,” she said.
She added that continued exchanges with Daewoong could contribute to developing Indonesia’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology capabilities while maintaining consistent regulatory standards for quality, safety and efficacy.
Lee So-yoon, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s Regulatory Affairs and Patent Center, said the company presented its global new drug and biologics development capabilities as well as its localization strategy in Indonesia during the visit.
Daewoong plans to continue working with regulatory authorities in Indonesia and other global markets as it expands innovative drug development and locally tailored businesses.
The company has also participated in a Korean government-led public-private initiative supporting companies entering Indonesia.
The BPOM visit suggests that Daewoong’s Indonesia strategy is moving beyond conventional overseas expansion. As local manufacturing and R&D activities grow, cooperation with regulators is becoming another part of the pharmaceutical ecosystem the company has spent years building in the country.
