The South Korean biotech space has been marked by multiple positive R&D developments and pipeline and partnering progress in recent months, more than outweighing some other setbacks for the rapidly developing sector. 

Highlighted by SK Biopharmaceuticals’ recent decision to acquire the US-based ProteoVant Sciences, Korean pharma firms are stepping up deals and collaborations in the hot TPD space, which is expected to continue to attract global investors and big pharma interest.

Weak broader stock market sentiment, topped with negative biotech industry news, weighs on Korean bioventure IPOs in the first quarter, with unicorn Voronoi withdrawing its IPO plan. But VC financing in the sector remains steady.

Stock-and-cash deal valued at $229m brings AzurRx rights to niclosamide in additional indications. Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Twist on therapeutic antibody discovery.