Korean Vs Global Biopharma M&A Trends: How Different Are They?

Korean Family Firms Link With Outsiders

A number of recent significant transactions in the South Korean biopharma space indicate some emerging trends as the sector develops and expands internationally. Scrip takes a look at the over-arching themes in M&A activity over the past few years and how these may differ from those being observed globally.

M&A
Biopharma Acquisitions By Non-Sector Firms Increasing In Korea • Source: Shutterstock

Although merger and acquisition activity in the South Korean biopharma sector is viewed as relatively timid compared to the global market, it seems to have increased notably since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more keen interest in the field from domestic non-biopharma conglomerates as well as financial investors.

While deals in closely watched "hot" sectors such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) may be similar to those happening in the rest of the world, there seem to be certain significant...

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