[Reporter's View] K-Bio's development and human resource

development

The Korean pharmaceutical and biotech industry (known as 'K-Bio') has grown robustly over the past few years.

 

K-Bio has successfully out-licensed new drug developments, including the In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD), biosimilar, and CDMO, since the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

However, the industry is concerned about sustainability.

 

The key issue is human resource development.

 

The difference between 'development' and 'human resource development' indicates that development is defined by technological‧material advancement, whereas 'human resource development' is focused on fostering human skills and developing potential.

 

The biotech industry requires both types of development.

 

Technology development is necessary for fostering product quality and competitiveness, and human resource development is a key source.

 

However, K-Bio is currently struggling to juggle the balance between the two.

 

Based on statistics reported by the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (Korea Bio), the number of employees working in the biotech industry in South Korea is approximately 64,849 people as of 2023, up 6.1% (3,705 people) from last year.

 

Yet, considering the industry's growth rate, the workforce supply is significantly below rising demand.

 

In particular, the R&D workforce shortage has been indicated as a significant problem.

 

The number of employees in the biotech industry rose an average of 6.9% over the past 3 years (2021-2023).

 

However, the rate of change showed a decreasing trend: 8.5% in 2021, 7.8% in 2022, and 6.1% in 2023.

 

The statistics on the workforce in the biotech industry by degrees indicate that the number of employees with college degrees increased compared to last year.

 

However, those with master's or Ph.D.

 

degrees decreased by 12.7% and 22%, respectively.

 

Overall, the industry is lacking employees with higher education.

 

The statistics indicate that the key workforce for leading the technological innovation is in shortage, and it can be a key factor in weakening the competitiveness of the industry.

 

This highlights the challenge of addressing human resources issues.

 

Companies must consider not only the shortage of human resource but also skill sets.

 

Industry experts say that it is often challenging to immediately put graduates from universities and research institutes into ongoing projects.

 

One factor is the significant gap between academic knowledge and industry technology.

 

Although Industry-University collaboration has increased, it remains insufficient for overall human resource development.

 

Biotech companies in South Korea unanimously voice that systemically organizing human resource development is crucial to consistently generating achievements in the global market.

 

Yet, the government's initiatives have primarily focused on expanding the industry's overall size rather than on developing the human resources needed.

 

While fostering industry growth is needed, this approach falls short, especially considering that a skilled workforce is the main driver of the industry.

 

The biotech industry needs people with convergent skills, similar to the AI-based new drug development.

 

This is why the government-organized human resource development project may be necessary in addition to the current efforts by industry and academics.

 

The biotech industry is often referred to as requiring highly skilled expertise and creativity.

 

To achieve this goal, the industry needs long-term human resource development rather than short-term achievement.

 

In other words, continued support and patience are required.

 

This approach is in line with the new drug development direction.

 

The industry stresses building an innovative system around human resources to sustain competitiveness in the global market.

 

It is now the time for the industry, academics, and the government to collaborate for the sustainable growth of K-Bio.