Historically, Q2 has often been one of the strongest quarters for biopharma financing, but 2025’s figures suggest a more cautious investment climate. Biopharma companies raised $16.02 billion in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, a modest increase from the $13.11 billion brought during Q1. While the uptick signals some recovery from Q1, the sector is still pacing well behind the highs of recent years.

Biopharma companies raised $7.38 billion across 99 transactions in June 2025, up from $5.55 billion in May and $2.4 billion in April. For the first half of the year (H1), total financings reached $28.74 billion, down 59% from the $70.32 billion raised during the same period in 2024. Although lower than the record-setting levels of 2020 and 2021, the current total aligns more closely with recent years, including $26.57 billion in the first half of 2022 and $30.57 billion in 2023.

Experts in mRNA convened at the Global Vaccine Forum (GVF) 2025 to weigh the present and future of vaccine technology, including emerging innovations in self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) and drug delivery platforms.

Cullinan Therapeutics Inc. swept up ex-China rights to a multiple myeloma (MM)-targeting BCMAxCD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) velinotamig from Chongqing Genrix Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. via a potential $712 million deal June 4. The plan is to repurpose the cancer drug to autoimmune disease.

3Sbio Inc. reported interim phase II study results of its PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, SSGJ-707 – a “fabulous” asset, according to Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla, that landed in Pfizer’s cancer arsenal via a potential $6 billion deal in May, of which $1.2 billion was paid up front.

Four biotech companies from South Korea announced new or planned financings mid-June, including GC Genome Corp. Rznomics Inc., G2Gbio Inc. and Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd. Six major mid-June deals included R&D pacts between Y-Biologics Inc. and Crosspoint Therapeutics, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Salipro Biotech AB, Next & Bio Inc. and GC Cell Corp., Galux Inc. and Hanall Biopharma Co. Ltd., Celltrion Inc. and Onconic Therapeutics Inc., and SK Plasma Co. Ltd. and Aimedbio Inc.

Biopharma deal activity continued its record-breaking pace in 2025, reaching $103.76 billion in total value through the first five months, the highest year-to-date total in BioWorld’s records. That figure marks a nearly 20% increase over the $86.68 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.

South Korea’s pharmaceutical exports rose nearly 18% year-on-year to reach $2.56 billion in the first quarter (Q1) this year, according to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Medical device exports, however, dropped about 5% in Q1 2025 to $1.39 billion, attributed to a drop in trade of implant products to both China and the U.S.

Biopharma financings totaled $21.38 billion through May 2025, down sharply from $62.57 billion during the same period in 2024, but roughly in line with levels seen in 2023 and 2022. Biopharma companies raised $5.55 billion in May, more than doubling the $2.4 billion raised in April.

Epimab Biotherapeutics Inc. licensed out a development-ready KLK2/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) for advanced prostate cancer to Juri Biosciences Inc. through a potential $210 million deal.