Gilead Sciences Korea has become a key player in cancer drug research. Korean sites now take part in about 60 percent of Gilead’s phase 1 to 3 oncology trials. This number came out at the affiliate’s 15th anniversary press event in Seoul. For a company once known mainly for antivirals, it’s a big change. A report by Asiae points to Korea’s new role as a global hub for Gilead’s cancer research.
Since its establishment as a legal entity in 2011, Gilead Korea has introduced 12 therapeutic products in the country, spanning liver disease, HIV, antifungal therapy, and oncology.
Korea’s reach goes beyond cancer. The country is involved in about 43 percent of Gilead’s global clinical trials, but its lead in oncology stands out. The affiliate has already brought 12 medicines to Korea, covering liver disease, HIV, fungal infections, and cancer. Now it is looking at inflammatory diseases where needs are still unmet.
Gilead has set a clear target: launch around 10 new medicines worldwide by 2027. This depends on strong research partnerships. Choi says these ties are needed not just for science, but to get new treatments to patients who have few choices.
Gilead Korea has announced plans to officially enter the CAR-T therapy market in Korea next year, following the launch of Yescarta in June 2026. This move is part of a broader expansion into cell therapy and inflammatory diseases, as highlighted in several Korean business news outlets.
Liver disease care has changed too. Lee pointed to progress in hepatitis C and new goals for hepatitis B, where the focus is now on cutting liver-related events like cancer, not just blood markers. But cancer is where Gilead’s Korean branch is making its boldest moves. The company singled out Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan), an antibody-drug conjugate for triple-negative breast cancer, and Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a CAR-T therapy for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Lee said a single CAR-T infusion can give some patients a shot at a cure, though results differ. “We cannot say that every patient will be cured, but this represents a change that has improved the possibility of cure and survival compared with the past,” she said.
The road is not easy. Lee Kyung-hoon, a professor at Seoul National University Hospital, pointed out that finding new treatments for triple-negative breast cancer is still tough. Suitable drug targets are hard to identify.
Korea’s clinical research system is also under the microscope. Ban Jun-woo, director of the Clinical Trial Center at Asan Medical Center, pointed to investigator-led research on Viread monotherapy for drug-resistant hepatitis B as proof that Korean teams can expand treatment options. He called for ongoing teamwork among government, hospitals, researchers, and drug companies. The goal is not just more trials, but making sure patients keep getting access to new therapies.
Manufacturing partnerships are another key part of Gilead’s Korean plan. The company’s work with Yuhan on active pharmaceutical ingredients goes back over 30 years. Samsung Biologics supplies antibodies for Gilead’s oncology ADCs. In 2024, Gilead put the value of its drug production and export deals with Korean firms at 107.7 billion won.
But Choi says making medicines is only part of the job. “We work hard to develop medicines, but so many partnerships are needed before they reach patients,” she said. The affiliate even launched a children’s storybook to help families deal with the stress of a parent’s cancer treatment. This shows a wider push to support patients beyond the hospital.
In HIV, Gilead’s R.E.D. campaign with civic groups is working to break down stigma and discrimination. Kim Seung-hwan, executive director of Sinnaneun Center, said that while new treatments have improved lives, social barriers still keep some people from care. He called for efforts to treat stigma as a public health issue, not just a topic for awareness drives.
Gilead’s next steps in Korea will depend on turning science into real gains for patients. As Choi put it, the company’s future is about linking innovation to real-world results—making sure new medicines bring real change to people’s lives. With Korea leading in clinical trials and deep partnerships, Gilead is not just growing its drug list. It is changing how global drug development can be anchored in one key market.
