Gilead Korea is not slowing down. At its 15th anniversary press conference in Seoul, CEO Choi Jaeyeon said the company will enter the CAR-T therapy field in Korea next year. She also promised ten new treatments worldwide by 2027. This is a direct move into new territory. Gilead Korea wants to change the game for patients with few options.
In June 2026, Gilead Korea launched its first CAR-T therapy, Yescarta, in South Korea without insurance reimbursement, while simultaneously pursuing its inclusion in the national health insurance system.
Since 2011, Gilead Korea has brought 12 drugs to the local market. These cover liver disease, HIV, antifungals, and cancer. The company points to its work in hepatitis C, where cure rates now top 95%. HIV, once deadly, is now managed with a single daily pill. In cancer, Gilead Korea has given new options to people with triple-negative breast cancer by introducing antibody-drug conjugates. Now, it is developing CAR-T therapies for blood cancers like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Korea is a key site for Gilead's global research. More than 40% of the company's clinical trials now involve Korea. In cancer, that number jumps to about 60%. This is not by chance. Gilead has invested heavily and pushed to make Korea central to its drug development work.
Independent Korean business reporting highlights that the launch of Yescarta in June 2026 marked Gilead Korea's first step into the CAR-T segment in South Korea, laying the groundwork for a broader strategy to expand patient access through insurance coverage.
The anniversary event brought together clinical researchers, doctors, and civil society leaders. Among them were Junwoo Ban from Asan Medical Center, Kyunghoon Lee from Seoul National University Hospital, and Seunghwan Kim from Sinnaneun Center. They agreed that scientific breakthroughs only help if research infrastructure, clinical settings, and public awareness also improve. Only then will more patients benefit.
Choi was open about the company's main goal. "I understand that the word 'cure' represents an extraordinary goal, but it remains our objective." Gilead Korea is not satisfied with small steps. It wants to prevent disease and find treatments that go beyond what is available now. The aim is to cure, not just manage.
Gilead Korea is moving fast into CAR-T and inflammatory diseases. Its record in viral and cancer drugs has already made it a major player in Korea and worldwide. The company insists on pairing strong science with real-world access. As it works to launch ten new drugs by 2027, other companies will have to keep up. For patients, this push could mean better treatments and more hope.
