Celltrion Unveils Novel Drug Pipeline and U.S. Expansion at J.P. Morgan Conference

Celltrion laid out a two-pronged growth blueprint at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Jan. 13, pairing an expanding portfolio of innovative therapeutics with a plan to significantly enlarge its U.S. manufacturing and research footprint. The Incheon-based biopharmaceutical company framed the strategy as a transition from biosimilar leadership toward next-generation cancer treatments.

Chief Executive Jin-Seok Seo and Senior Executive Vice President Hyuk-Jae Lee presented the plans across two segments covering innovative drug development and the company's growing American presence. Celltrion said it intends to file up to 16 investigational new drug applications by 2028, comprising as many as 10 antibody-drug conjugates, four multi-specific antibodies, one recombinant protein and one peptide.

The company's antibody-drug conjugate candidates are aimed at solid tumors. Regulators accepted applications for three of them — CT-P70, CT-P71 and CT-P73 — during 2025. CT-P70, a candidate for non-small cell lung cancer, recently received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a status that can speed up regulatory interactions and review.

Celltrion is also building a group of multi-specific antibodies engineered to selectively home in on cancer cells or activate only under certain conditions. The FDA granted an application approval for CT-P72, a tetravalent bispecific antibody designed to target the HER2 receptor and the CD3 protein.

"Celltrion is accelerating its transition toward next-generation innovative therapeutics," Seo said, adding that the company aims to redefine the standard of care in oncology. Alongside the innovative pipeline, Celltrion said it still plans to grow its biosimilar business to as many as 18 products by 2030 and 41 by 2038.

On the manufacturing side, Celltrion said it recently completed the acquisition of a former Eli Lilly plant in Branchburg, New Jersey, adding 66,000 liters of drug substance capacity. It plans to raise that total to 132,000 liters by 2030 and to add drug product facilities. Executives said the move strengthens supply-chain resilience and helps mitigate tariff and trade risks in its most important market.

"By securing large-scale drug substance capacity in the U.S., we are enhancing supply stability," Lee said, describing the acquisition as a foundation for expanded research collaboration in the region.