1. Scrip
  2. >>Focus On Asia
  3. >>South Korea

The Key To Big Pharma Deals: How Korea's ABL Reached $1bn Sanofi Agreement

Science, Data Form Backbone

 
• By Jung Won Shin

ABL Bio CEO shares experience from reaching a $1bn licensing deal with Sanofi, why it chose the French giant as its partner, what happened during the negotiation process and the next steps for the Korean company.

Sang Hoon Lee, ABL Bio CEO
ABL Bio CEO Sang Hoon Lee Talks Around Ambitions To Set New Role Model For Korean Biotechs • Source: ABL Bio

“I have a background as a scientist although I am serving a different role now as the CEO. I feel very proud to have shown a good case of solid science leading to business,” stated Sang Hoon Lee, CEO and founder of ABL Bio Inc., which reached a major global out-licensing deal with Sanofi in January.

The potential $1.06bn deal marked the biggest licensing agreement signed so far by the Korean biotech, which has clinical-stage assets...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from South Korea

Q2 Korea Biotech Roundup: Licensing Deals End, Trials Progress, IPOs Recover

 
• By Jung Won Shin

Aside from several sizable global out-licensing deals, South Korean bioventures saw a cancellation of other alliances, updated their pipelines with losses and gains and reported clinical trial progress in the second quarter, while domestic IPO sentiment also improved.

Global Pharma Interest In Korea Undeterred Despite Political Roller Coaster

 
• By Jung Won Shin

Despite recent political turmoil, outside investor and corporate interest in South Korean biopharma innovation appears robust or even increasing.

Bitcoin Player Parataxis To Acquire Bridge Biotherapeutics After IPF Failure

 
• By Jung Won Shin

After the failure of its lead asset in a Phase II trial earlier this year, Korea's Bridge Biotherapeutics has accepted an acquisition offer from bitcoin group Parataxis.

Profit-Sharing AI Model Proposed To Boost Korean Drug R&D

 
• By Jung Won Shin

A differentiated profit-sharing model to accelerate the use of AI in drug development using clinical and patient data is being proposed in South Korea, but the idea faces multiple practical challenges

More from Focus On Asia

Lupin’s Cimzia Biosimilar Candidate Reflects Strategy To Separate Wheat From Chaff

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Lupin's choice of a Cimzia biosimilar candidate and partnering with Zentiva reflect a strategy to sort the wheat from the chaff. Of 118 biologics to lose patent protection between 2025 and 2034 as per IQVIA, it’s going for a biosimilar with a single competitor though there could be other spoilers

Taiho’s Oral, Mutation-Agnostic DMD Candidate Misses Phase III Endpoint

 
• By Lisa Takagi

The oral, twice-daily candidate was expected to control decline in motor function in DMD patients regardless of their gene mutations.

Wave of Biopharma Licensing Deals in India: ‘The Model Is Working’

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

From vonoprazan and inclisiran to nirsevimab, big pharma has licensed several products to Indian firms as have other biopharma players. Experts discuss the intricacies of such licensing deals amid signs of more action in store and whether geopolitics could dull partnering with Chinese firms.