Subcutaneous formulation technology, microbiomes and oncological assets drove dealmaking in South Korea’s biotech sector this week. 

Subcutaneous (SC) formulation technology, microbiomes and oncological assets drove dealmaking in South Korea’s biotech sector this week. 

Newco Kyron Bio is showing its colors after sealing a research agreement with Servier SA, underpinning a claim that it has overcome one of the longest-running challenges of the biotech industry, and developing technology to precisely control the glycosylation of therapeutic proteins.

Newco Kyron Bio is showing its colors after sealing a research agreement with Servier SA, underpinning a claim that it has overcome one of the longest-running challenges of the biotech industry, and developing technology to precisely control the glycosylation of therapeutic proteins.

Smith+Nephew plc (S+N) has agreed to acquire Integrity Orthopaedics Inc. for up to $450 million in a bid to strengthen its shoulder repair portfolio. The move comes as the company looks to accelerate its growth with strategic investments, with the deal expected to be an important step in its ambition in becoming a global leader in sports medicine.

Boston Scientific Corp. plans to acquire Valencia Technologies Corp. in the first half of 2026 in a move that will expand its urology portfolio. Valencia makes the Ecoin system, an implantable tibial nerve stimulator (ITNS) designed to treat urge urinary incontinence (UUI). The companies did not disclose terms of the deal, which is not expected to have a material impact on 2026 earnings per share.

Abbott Laboratories made plans to enter the cancer screening market with its reported acquisition of Exact Sciences Corp. The deal will pay Exact Sciences shareholders $105 per share in cash, a nearly 50% premium to Exact’s unaffected share price on Nov. 19. That represents a total equity value of approximately $21 billion and an estimated enterprise value of $23 billion.

Breaking up isn’t so hard to do, after all. Just two years after spinning off its consumer products as Kenvue Inc., Johnson & Johnson aims to part ways with its orthopedics unit, which will take with it the Depuy Synthes name first created when Synthes Inc. married into the J&J Depuy ortho unit in 2012 for a tidy sum of $19.7 billion. Depuy was itself acquired in 1998.

With multiple large M&A deals already announced in January, CEOs of major med-tech companies outlining acquisition plans for 2025 and declining interest rates, the stage is set for a significantly more active year of M&A. Financings, too, have ticked up and analysts expect the trend to continue, offering hope for a positive year for the med-tech industry.