ADB, RIGHT Foundation hold biopharmaceutical training graduation and partnership forum

The Research Investment for Global Health Technology Foundation (RIGHT Foundation) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) co-hosted the "2026 ADB-RIGHT Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Training Graduation and Partnership Forum" at Yonsei University's International Campus on Friday.

The event marked the completion of a training program for vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing professionals from low- and middle-income countries, and aimed to strengthen practical partnerships with South Korea's pharmaceutical and biotech industry. About 80 people attended, including representatives from the RIGHT Foundation, ADB, the International Vaccine Institute and major domestic biotech firms — SK Bioscience, Green Cross and EuBiologics — along with 41 trainees from 18 low- and middle-income countries.

The 41 participants completed theoretical coursework in May before undertaking five weeks of hands-on training from July at Yonsei University's K-NIBRT program unit, covering core processes including cell culture, purification, fill-and-finish and quality analysis, as well as site visits to domestic companies. Participating countries included Ghana, Vietnam, Indonesia, Peru and the Philippines, among 18 nations in total.

A partnership forum held alongside the graduation ceremony focused on building regional vaccine manufacturing ecosystems, with discussions covering vaccine demand, investment, technology transfer and local production linkages. A subsequent networking session allowed trainees and Korean industry representatives to share country-specific biopharmaceutical needs and explore concrete opportunities for technical cooperation.

The program is part of the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing initiative. Organizers say it goes beyond simple technology transfer by enabling South Korean biotech companies to build direct networks with government officials and industry personnel from low- and middle-income countries, laying the groundwork for future global technology transfer and overseas expansion.

"It is important that the networks we have built translate into real cooperation, not just the training of skilled professionals," RIGHT Foundation President Lee Min-won said. "We will leverage South Korea's capabilities to create concrete opportunities for international collaboration."