The ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting) 2026,the world's largest oncology research conference, is currently taking place in Chicago, USA. Take a look at C&R Research at ASCO 2026!This year's ASCO is highlighting early intervention and precision medicine–based treatment strategies as key themes,with discussions on the latest research findings and the future of cancer treatment generating significant excitement throughout the event.C&R Research is participating in the KoNECT Korea Pavilion (Booth #12019),actively engaging with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies as well as oncology experts from around the world. Meet C&R at ASCO 2026✅ Booth #12019 (KoNECT Pavilion)✅ McCormick Place, South Building Hall AIf you are attending ASCO 2026,we look forward to connecting with you at the KoNECT Korea Pavilion.We would like to thank everyone who has stopped by our booth.Throughout the remainder of the conference,we hope to build new opportunities for collaboration with even more global partners.

  ✦ C&R INTERVIEW with PharmaBoardroomJinhak Kim, Executive Director and President US at C&R Research, describes the company’s evolution into a global, data-driven CRO. He outlines its strategy of matching clinical trials to regions based on cost and patient access, expanding into Southeast Asia and the US, integrating AI, and supporting biotechs with end-to-end services to compete with top global players.✦Q1. For our audience that may not be familiar with the company, could you begin by introducing C&R Research?C&R Research is the first and largest CRO established in Korea, founded in 1997, and in many ways it has grown alongside the history of South Korea’s clinical trial industry itself. We are a full-service organisation covering the entire clinical trial life cycle for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, with a track record of over 1,800 project references built by a team of more than 500 clinical specialists.That foundation of domestic expertise is now the platform from which we are accelerating into global markets – we have established local subsidiaries in the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, and those operations are now fully functional and capable of supporting regional and multi-regional clinical trials.✦Q2. This international expansion is something you were specifically brought in to oversee. Why was internationalisation important to the company at that particular moment?Every country has its own distinct strengths, and recognising that is the starting point for our global strategy. Korea has a strong scientific infrastructure, sophisticated data capabilities, and costs that are already lower than Western markets – but competition among Korean CROs is intense, and that competition narrows the advantage over time.Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and Thailand offer something different: genuine cost effectiveness combined with high patient prevalence in certain therapeutic areas. For indications such as diabetes, metabolic diseases, and some oncology studies, Indonesia and Thailand can provide both the patient populations and the economics that sponsors increasingly need. Conversely, Korea has exceptionally high prevalence in areas like gastric and breast cancer, which makes it a natural destination for sponsors targeting those indications. Our strategy is to match the indication, the sponsor’s objectives, and the patient population to the country that best serves all three – and to deliver that intelligence as part of the service we provide.✦Q3. At the other end of the scale, you are also expanding in the US, which is a very different proposition. Can you explain the strategic logic there?The US strategy operates on two levels simultaneously. The first is helping Korean biotech companies access the US market, which matters enormously because FDA approval and early proof-of-concept data generated in the US dramatically improves a Korean company’s chances of licensing out its assets at favourable terms. We provide strategic consultation on how to maximise the value of their pipeline through that pathway.The second level is bringing US biotech companies into Korea, where the value proposition is compelling in a very different way. Conducting a clinical trial in Korea costs approximately 60 percent or less of the equivalent US cost – a difference that is substantial enough to meaningfully extend the runway of a capital-constrained biotech. Beyond cost, Korea has a high-density population concentrated around major hospital centres, and because only accredited institutions can conduct clinical trials, a single large hospital can provide access to a very significant patient pool.We are also augmenting that traditional advantage with an AI system that uses real-world hospital data to predict which sites and which principal investigators will deliver the highest enrolment rates for a given indication – so the speed advantage is becoming more precise and more reliable over time.✦Q4. You mentioned costs being up to 60 percent lower in Korea than in the US. That is a striking figure. What actually drives that difference?The primary driver is investigator and labour fees, which are substantially lower in Korea than in the US or Europe. That said, the gap varies by therapeutic area – in some highly competitive indications within Korea, fees are closer to international norms, and in those cases we look at whether Indonesia or Thailand can offer a more cost-effective alternative.The ability to move fluidly across that network of markets, matching the right geography to the right project, is where the real commercial value lies for our clients. It is not simply that Korea is cheaper – it is that we can optimise across a portfolio of markets depending on what a given study requires.✦Q5. How has your client base evolved over the past few years, particularly given the turbulence in biotech funding?The early 2020s were an active period – biotech companies were well funded and pursuing global trials with real momentum. Around 2023 and 2024, the funding environment became significantly more difficult, and many biotechs went into a holding pattern, waiting for conditions to improve before committing to new studies. From late last year, however, I have begun to sense that the funding environment is recovering, and the pipeline of enquiries reflects that.What is also notable is how the nature of the work is shifting: the traditional small molecule programmes that defined the CRO business for decades are increasingly giving way to advanced modalities – ADCs, CAR-T and other cell and gene therapies, and other complex biologics. C&R Research has been building specialised service capabilities in those areas, because that is where the clinical demand is moving.Alongside that modality shift, we are integrating AI tools more deeply into our operations, using real-world data from hospital systems to predict patient enrolment and guide site selection – which is particularly valuable for rare disease programmes where finding eligible patients requires much more sophisticated intelligence than traditional site selection methods can provide.✦Q6. Working with more biotechs presumably means providing a broader range of support, since smaller companies have far less in-house capability than large pharma. How are you responding to that?Exactly right, and we have been deliberately expanding our service breadth to meet that need. We recently acquired Mediplexus, a data solutions company, which is central to our repositioning as a data-driven organisation. We also have Trial Informatics and TI Image, which specialise in integrated data solutions such as eTMF and clinical trial management systems, and centralised reading system.Together, these capabilities mean that C&R Research can genuinely offer end-to-end service – not just the traditional CRO functions, but the data infrastructure and technology systems that a small biotech without an in-house clinical operations team needs to run a sophisticated international trial. That full-service model is increasingly what our clients require, and we are building toward it deliberately.✦Q7. When you expand into markets like Thailand and Indonesia, one of the critical questions is whether data generated there will be accepted by global regulators such as the FDA or EMA. How do you ensure that?The key is that our operational standards are built around MFDS – Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety – which has a high level of regulatory alignment with the US FDA.If a data package is acceptable to the MFDS, it is generally also acceptable to the FDA, so rather than trying to navigate different regulatory frameworks country by country, we apply the same high-standard data package requirements across all of our sites and then reformat appropriately for local submission where needed.To date, we have not encountered a situation where data generated through our Southeast Asian operations was rejected on regulatory grounds, which gives us confidence in the approach.✦Q8. Managing multi-site clinical trials across Asia is complex due to fragmented regulations, varied infrastructure, and the absence of a unified framework like the EMA. How do you navigate this complexity?C&R Research functions as the global programme lead across these multi-regional studies. When we engage partner organisations in other countries, we provide them with our standard operating procedures and train them to our standards before any study begins.Our project leadership team evaluates each partner’s readiness before a study is initiated, and we maintain active oversight throughout. In practice, our Southeast Asian partners have been genuinely cooperative and responsive – there have been no significant holdups in any of our multi-regional trials to date.We also make a point of visiting our partners in person whenever they face a challenge, because some things simply require a face-to-face conversation to resolve, and that investment in the relationship pays dividends across the life of a study.✦Q9. Turning to the US where the CRO market is highly competitive, with large, well-resourced global players. How do you differentiate C&R Research in that environment?Our strategy in the US is not to compete head-on with the large global CROs across all phases and all scales of trial, but to identify the segment where our specific combination of capabilities creates real value.For early-stage studies – Phase I, Phase IIa, and Phase IIb – combining C&R Research’s Korean expertise with a selected US local CRO partner creates a proposition that is faster, more specialised, and considerably more cost-effective than engaging a large global CRO for the same work. Local US CROs bring the regulatory relationships and site networks that American sponsors value; we bring the Korean patient populations, the cost advantage, and the deep experience with the indications and modalities that Korean and Asian biotech companies are developing.That combination is genuinely differentiated, particularly for the early-phase, proof-of-concept studies that precede licensing decisions. For very large Phase III studies requiring populations of a thousand or more patients across multiple continents, the picture is different – those require a broader network that extends into Europe and South America, and we are realistic about where we sit in that landscape today.✦Q10. How do you support Korean biotech clients across the full value chain, from early clinical development through to licensing?The value of continuity in a clinical development relationship is underappreciated. When a CRO has been with a biotech since the earliest stages of a programme – understanding not just the science but the team, the strategic priorities, and the particular challenges they have navigated – that accumulated knowledge is genuinely difficult to replicate if you switch partners at a later phase.Our goal is to be the organisation that Korean biotechs turn to at the beginning and stay with as they mature, so that by the time they are ready for late-phase trials and licensing discussions, we are already deeply embedded as a trusted partner rather than a new vendor learning the programme from scratch. That continuity benefits the client as much as it benefits us.✦Q11. You mentioned acquisitions in the digital and AI space. Is more M&A on the horizon as you pursue this international build-out?The ultimate goal is to have all of those capabilities – AI, data solutions, clinical operations, regulatory expertise – integrated within C&R Research, functioning as a seamless end-to-end service. Whether we get there through further acquisitions, through partnerships, or through organic build-out will depend on the specific capability and the opportunity. I cannot be more prescriptive than that at this stage, but the direction is clear: we want to bring these functions inside rather than relying on external partners indefinitely.✦Q12. On AI specifically – you seem to see it as genuinely transformative rather than just a productivity tool. How are you preparing your team for a future where AI is deeply embedded in how the company operates?I communicate two priorities consistently to my team. The first is to become comfortable with AI and to treat it as a direct team member rather than a threat. AI will increasingly handle documentation, regulatory formatting, and monitoring tasks that have traditionally required significant human resource – that is simply the direction of travel, and the right response is to learn to work alongside it and to focus human expertise on the judgement and relationship dimensions that AI cannot replicate.The second priority is globalisation – thinking beyond Korean or even East Asian regulatory frameworks to understand guidelines across all the markets we operate in, and increasingly looking toward Southeast Asia as a growing centre of gravity for clinical development. Indonesia in particular is a market we are watching very carefully: the population is enormous, the regulatory environment is becoming progressively more accessible, and the cost profile is attractive. The combination of those factors makes it one of the more interesting opportunities in the global CRO landscape over the next decade.※ For more details, please refer to the full interview on PharmaBoardroom. [Read More] 

   ⭐ Pre-Register for the Webinar (Click Here) ⭐* We are pleased to announce the 6th C&R Webinar, taking place on June 24. Under the theme,'Making Bayesian Work in Clinical Trials: Regulatory Perspectives and Practical Insights',this webinar will explore how Bayesian approaches are shaping clinical trial design,with insights into regulatory perspectives and practical applications based on FDA and EMA guidance.  * [Session 1]✔ Topic: Regulatory trends in Bayesian methods, from FDA and EMA, and their practical application in clinical trial design✔ Speaker: Alan Phillips, Ph.D. | AJP Statistics, Statistical consultant[Session 2]✔ Topic: Bayesian Borrowing in Clinical Trials: Practical Applications of External Data in Pediatric and Rare Disease Case Studies✔ Speaker: Ami Yu, Ph.D. | C&R Research, BS Advisor 

  The 5th C&R Webinar was successfully concluded.We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated.This webinar was held under the theme,“Beyond Response: How MRD is Transforming Cancer Treatment and Drug Development”.Together with C&R Research Medical Advisors, Dr. Yongju Chung and Dr. Eunsu Lim,we shared insights on the fundamental concepts of MRD, analytical methods,and its applications in clinical practice.We hope this session helped broaden your understanding ofMRD utilization in precision medicine-based drug development and provided valuable clinical insights.C&R Research will continue to deliver meaningful and informative content as a specialized clinical trial CRO.

   2026 KSCPT Spring Meeting has been successfully concluded.We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who visited the C&R Research booth.This spring conference, held under the theme'Frontiers in Pediatric and Oncology Clinical Pharmacology',provided a meaningful platform to share the latest research trends in clinical pharmacology, including precision medicine and the development of innovative therapeutics.The event was even more significant as it was jointly held as the 19th KSCPT-JSCPT Joint Symposium.     C&R Research participated with a booth and had the valuable opportunity to engage with a wide range of clinical pharmacology experts and industry professionals.We would once again like to thank everyone who visited our booth,and we look forward to meeting you again at future events.We sincerely appreciate your continued interest and support for C&R Research.

 ✦ C&R INSIGHT TALKIn a fast-changing global clinical environment,where is change driven by data, technology, and people heading?C&R’s perspective goes beyond simply interpreting clinical trends.It extends to practical strategies developed with clients and leadership, which drive organizations forward.In this interview, we take a closer look at the key insights behind it all — from shifts in the global clinical industry and C&R’s competitive strengths to the leadership philosophy at its core.✦Q1. With your extensive experience in global CROs, how do you view the strengths and limitations of domestic CROs in comparison?One of the greatest strengths of domestic CROs is their close relationships with clients.Beyond simply responding to client requests, domestic CROs differentiate themselves by developing a deep understanding of clients’ internal environments and organizational structures, and by managing projects with a shared goal of successful drug development.This strength is particularly evident in projects with domestic biotech ventures and small-to-mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, where flexible and customized support is essential due to limited resources.At the same time, compared to global CROs, there is still room for improvement in areas such as multi-regional clinical trial experience and advanced consulting capabilities. Strengthening clinical development expertise, including CRA capabilities, will be an important focus moving forward.✦Q2. In this environment, how does C&R differentiate itself? C&R is a No.1 CRO driving the transformation into a Data-Driven CRO.C&R has built differentiated competitiveness through a well-structured organization and a team of highly skilled professionals capable of delivering end-to-end clinical development services.Its expanding global network across key regions, including the United States, Thailand, and Indonesia, and its experience in multi-regional clinical trials represent clear strengths. These capabilities are reflected in its strong project management, which is recognized as a key strength of C&R.In addition, by leveraging RWD/RWE-based data and AI-driven analytics, C&R generates more precise clinical evidence while enhancing both the speed and accuracy of decision-making.Building on these capabilities, C&R is further strengthening its position as a global CRO.✦Q3. Alongside AI, what key trends should we watch in the future global clinical trial environment?AI-driven data analytics, risk-based quality monitoring, and the expansion of decentralized clinical trials (DCT).As mentioned earlier, AI technologies enable more sophisticated analysis of large-scale clinical data and help proactively identify potential risks, improving both the quality and efficiency of clinical trials. At the same time, the growing adoption of remote monitoring and decentralized clinical trials (DCT) is fundamentally transforming traditional operating models.These changes go beyond the adoption of new technologies, leading to a redefinition of the roles and responsibilities of clinical professionals. As these changes continue, organizations need to stay responsive and adapt accordingly. Ultimately, how effectively they respond will define their competitiveness.In response to these global trends, C&R continues to enhance its capabilities to deliver stable and efficient global clinical trials, supported by AI-powered, data-driven expertise and flexible operational models.✦Q4. Within C&R’s flexible strategy, client collaboration must also be important. What values do you prioritize in working with clients?Accurately understanding client needs and working together as 'One Team'.At C&R, we place strong emphasis on clearly understanding our clients’ needs and delivering customized solutions.More importantly, we focus on working together with our clients as 'One Team', aligning on shared goals and working side by side. In addition, through collaboration with our group company TI, we have developed AI-based clinical IT solutions that enable data-driven decision-making while improving both the speed and accuracy of project delivery.Ultimately, C&R is not just a service provider, but a "One-Team partner" that works alongside clients to solve challenges and achieve success together.✦Q5. What are C&R’s goals and strategic direction over the next five years?C&R aims to grow beyond a leading Asia-based CRO representing Korea and establish itself as a global CRO.C&R continues to expand its capabilities in multi-regional clinical trials, with a strong focus on key markets such as the United States, Thailand, and Indonesia. Looking ahead, the company aims to extend its role beyond an Asian clinical trial hub and further broaden its participation in global projects.In the long term, C&R aims to become a trusted partner with meaningful influence across global clinical markets beyond Asia.✦Q6. With extensive leadership experience, what matters most to you as a leader?A leader should show the direction of the organization through actions, not just words.Of the many qualities of leadership, what I value most is 'walking the talk' and being a 'role model'. I believe leaders should lead by example, demonstrating their values through actions so that team members can naturally trust and follow them.In today’s workplace, where open communication and being genuine are increasingly valued across generations, empathetic leadership is more important than ever.Early in my career, I joined a global CRO as Country Manager in Korea, where I focused on driving business growth while building a stable and well-structured organization. I was later promoted to General Manager, and being recognized as a role model by my team remains a meaningful foundation for my leadership today.✦Q7. What advice would you like to share with the next generation of leaders?I encourage you to embrace who you are and find joy in the small, meaningful moments of everyday life.While the future may feel uncertain due to rapid advances in AI and technology, I encourage you to focus on what you can do today rather than worrying about the distant future. Take time to appreciate the small moments of happiness in everyday life and allow yourself to fully experience them.As small achievements and moments of joy build over time, they create the strength to move forward with confidence, even in the face of bigger challenges and change.One principle I value is thinking from the other person’s perspective and making decisions with a win-win mindset. When combined with sincerity, this helps create the way forward, even in an uncertain future.To all aspiring leaders, a single small step today can lead to meaningful change tomorrow.Trust your choices, stay true to yourself, and move forward with confidence.Thank you.✦ Misook Hyun | Vice President• Sungkyunkwan University (B.S. in Pharmacy, M.S. in Clinical Pharmacy)• Former Country Head, Korea at Quintiles (now IQVIA); prior experience at Chong Kun Dang, Sang-A Pharmaceutical, and Sanofi-Aventis• Recipient of the Minister of Health and Welfare Award (2018)