Biopharma firms battle for ECM supply edge

Apr 14, 2026, 11:51 am

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An AI-generated image illustrating the growing market for ECM-based skin boosters in the medical aesthetics industry.

South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech companies are rapidly entering the fast-growing market for ECM-based skin boosters, intensifying competition in what industry insiders describe as a “battle for raw materials.”

Extracellular matrix (ECM) skin boosters, derived from human tissue, have gained popularity in the medical aesthetics sector for their ability to restore skin elasticity with less pain and more consistent results compared to conventional products.

Companies with existing infrastructure are leveraging in-house capabilities, while others are entering the market through partnerships and product licensing.

CGBio recently acquired a human tissue processing bank in Seongnam from its parent company to strengthen its ECM-based treatment and aesthetic business. The firm plans to launch a cosmetic version of its injectable soft tissue product within the first half of this year.

Because ECM products rely on donated human tissue, securing a stable supply of raw materials is critical. CGBio’s parent company has already built a full value chain—from sourcing to processing—supported by certification from the American Association of Tissue Banks.

Other firms are entering the market through collaboration. GC Wellbeing has partnered with a biomaterials firm to launch a new skin booster, combining its supply capabilities with external processing technology.

Meanwhile, Hugel recently signed a domestic distribution agreement for an ECM skin booster developed by Hans Biomed, a company with AATB certification. The move marks a strategic shift for Hugel, which had previously focused on in-house development.

Additional players, including HLB Life Science, are also preparing to launch ECM-based products through partnerships.

The surge in market entry is driven by strong growth prospects. The domestic skin booster market, estimated at around 10 billion won in 2023, is projected to expand to 60 billion won this year. ECM-based products are expected to see particularly rapid adoption, with market penetration rising significantly.

However, analysts stress that long-term competitiveness will depend less on technology or marketing and more on the ability to secure and process compliant human tissue materials.

“Stable access to human tissue-based raw materials is the key prerequisite for success in the ECM skin booster business,” an analyst said. “Ultimately, supply capability—not just innovation—will determine the winners.”

#ECM skin booster #medical aesthetics #pharmaceutical biotech #human tissue