BioIVT and Handok Biotech Form Exclusive Partnership to Expand Biospecimen Access in South Korea
Key Insights
BioIVT (search) and Handok Biotech (search) have signed an exclusive commercial agreement allowing South Korean researchers access to a comprehensive portfolio of biospecimens and research materials.
The partnership will provide researchers in South Korea with biofluids, tissues, cell products, media, and subcellular fractions/enzymes to advance drug discovery, development, toxicology, and personalized medicine research.
Handok Biotech (search) will serve as the exclusive representative for BioIVT (search)'s products in South Korea, leveraging BioIVT's 35 years of experience and donor pool of over 600 consented donors.
BioIVT (search), a global biospecimen solutions provider, has announced an exclusive commercial agreement with Handok Biotech (search) Co. LTD. that will significantly expand South Korean researchers' access to high-quality biological materials essential for pharmaceutical research and development. The strategic partnership positions Handok Biotech as the exclusive distributor of BioIVT's comprehensive product portfolio in South Korea, marking a significant expansion of research capabilities in the region.
Comprehensive Biospecimen Portfolio Access
Under the terms of the agreement, Handok Biotech (search) will exclusively represent BioIVT (search)'s diverse range of biological materials, including biofluids, tissues, cell products, media, and subcellular fractions/enzymes throughout South Korea. This comprehensive portfolio is designed to support critical research areas including drug discovery, development, toxicology, and personalized medicine initiatives.
"We are excited to collaborate with Handok Biotech (search) to further propel life sciences research in East Asia," said Dimas Neto, Director, Global Channel Partnerships at BioIVT (search). "Together, we remain dedicated to advancing scientific discoveries that have the potential to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes worldwide."
Enhanced Research Infrastructure
The partnership leverages BioIVT (search)'s extensive experience in biospecimen procurement, built over 35 years of operations. The company maintains a diverse donor pool consisting of over 600 recallable consented donors across the United States and United Kingdom, providing researchers with access to both control and disease state samples.
BioIVT (search)'s portfolio includes human and animal tissues or preparations, ADME products and research services, cell and gene therapy products, blood, and other biofluids. The company's clinical specimens directly support precision medicine research by coupling comprehensive clinical data with donor samples.
Strategic Benefits for Korean Research Community
Mun-Chul Lee, CEO at Handok Biotech (search), emphasized the operational advantages the partnership will deliver to South Korean researchers. "By combining Handok Biotech's long-standing experience and strong presence in the region, and BioIVT (search)'s industry-leading products, we're eager to create unparalleled opportunities for researchers to access high-quality, reliable solutions," Lee stated. "This relationship will provide faster lead times and competitive pricing, while ensuring ongoing technical support and customer service, further enhancing the overall research experience."
Company Backgrounds and Expertise
Handok Biotech (search) brings significant pharmaceutical industry experience to the partnership, having been founded in 1954 and operating as a joint venture with Hoechst (search)/Aventis (search)/Sanofi from 1964 to 2012. The company maintains core business focus areas in diabetes (search), rare diseases (search), cardiovascular (search) conditions, oncology (search), medical devices, diagnostics, and consumer health. Handok has established strategic collaborations with multiple multinational pharmaceutical companies across various therapeutic areas.
BioIVT (search) specializes in delivering personalized biospecimen solutions and research services to the life science and diagnostic industries. The company's technical expertise and access to biological specimens positions it as a research partner focused on accelerating medical breakthroughs through strategic partnerships, including recent commercial agreements in South Asia.