Notable Roles | - Founder & Honorary Chairman, Celltrion Group |
Key Recognition | - EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, 2021 |
Background and Early Foundations
JungJin Seo’s path to success is a true rags-to-riches story. Born into poverty and working as a deliveryman early in life, he studied industrial engineering and joined Daewoo Group. After the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 led to Daewoo’s collapse, Seo founded Celltrion in 2002 with the bold vision of manufacturing biosimilars in South Korea — an industry then in its infancy. Against all odds, he turned Celltrion into one of Asia’s most successful biopharmaceutical companies, pioneering global biosimilar innovation.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2002 | Founded Celltrion after Korea’s financial crisis, starting in rented offices |
2008 | Listed Celltrion on KOSDAQ, signaling biotech’s arrival in Korea |
2016 | Launched biosimilars in Europe and U.S., challenging global pharma giants |
2021 | Won EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, first Korean to receive the honor |
- Market Value: Over $20 billion (Celltrion, 2025)
- Biosimilar Reach: Products approved in over 100 countries
- Workforce: 2,500+ employees globally
- IPO: Celltrion listed on KOSDAQ in 2008
- Global Recognition: Only Korean winner of EY World Entrepreneur of the Year
Leadership Style and Influence
Seo’s leadership is built on tenacity, long-term thinking, and daring vision. He is known for his hands-on problem-solving, zero-debt policy, and refusal to follow the beaten path. Seo has often emphasized values like frugality and perseverance, building Celltrion as a lean, innovation-focused company. His journey has inspired a new generation of South Korean entrepreneurs to pursue high-impact, globally competitive ventures beyond traditional industries.
Legacy and Future Focus
JungJin Seo’s legacy is indelibly marked on Korea’s transition from manufacturing to biotech. By creating one of the world’s first successful biosimilar companies, he not only disrupted Big Pharma but also proved that Asian companies can lead in advanced therapeutics. As he steps back from daily operations, his focus remains on mentoring biotech startups, reshaping healthcare affordability, and advancing Korea’s position as a biotech innovation hub.
