Will Downsized Korean Biopharma Fund Launch Successfully This Time?

Weak But Improving Sentiment

Given that previously announced similar programs failed to attract strong investor interest, South Korea is set to create a new biopharma fund but of a smaller target size and lower qualifying thresholds as it continues to support industry development.

new fund
Korea Reflects VC Industry Views To Successfully Create New Fund • Source: Shutterstock

South Korea has created a new KRW150bn ($112m) investment fund to support the biopharma sector after a previous similar initiative with a target size of KRW250bn collapsed due to difficulties finding investors amid depressed market sentiment both at home and abroad.

“The latest fund structure has been changed to rapidly create and begin investment given the recent fall in venture capital investment in the biopharma sector. We hope the fund can...

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

More from South Korea

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By 

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.

Tech Convergence, Quality Data Needed To Accelerate Korea’s AI-Powered R&D

 
• By 

AI-powered drug development was a major topic at the recent Bio Korea meeting, where experts discussed how the technology is changing R&D activities and the challenges being faced by Korean firms as they look to catch up with their global competitors.

Celltrion Sees Multiple Biosimilar Opportunities From Trump’s Pricing EO

 
• By 

Biosimilars giant Celltrion tells shareholders there could be multiple opportunities for its business under US President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on drug pricing.

Sustainability Key To ABL Bio’s Journey From ‘Good To Great’

 
• By 

Helped by a recent major platform deal with GSK, South Korea's ABL Bio is aiming to build its R&D portfolio with an eye on being acquired in the future. CEO Sang Hoon Lee sat down with Scrip to explain the venture's journey so far and its ambitious roadmap.

More from Focus On Asia

Ascentage Broadens Horizons As Pipeline Shows Renewed Promise

 
• By 

Ascentage will share at ASCO new clinical data on its Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax, part of the Chinese firm's novel pipeline, on which its CEO shared with Scrip plans and strategy, along with some views on the use of RWD in China.

Tech Convergence, Quality Data Needed To Accelerate Korea’s AI-Powered R&D

 
• By 

AI-powered drug development was a major topic at the recent Bio Korea meeting, where experts discussed how the technology is changing R&D activities and the challenges being faced by Korean firms as they look to catch up with their global competitors.

Strong Data For CARsgen’s CAR-T In Late-Line Gastric Cancer

 

In first confirmatory randomized controlled trial of any CAR-T therapy in solid tumors, CARsgen’s Claudin 18.2-targeting satri-cel reduced risk of death or disease progression by 63% in Chinese patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.