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.

Jacobio Pharmaceuticals Group Co. Ltd. out-licensed rights for two lung cancer assets in China to Shanghai Allist Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. through a potential ¥900 million (US$126.4 million) deal. Beijing-headquartered Jacobio said Aug. 30 that it signed off development, regulatory and commercial milestone rights to both glecirasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor first targeting non-small-cell lung cancer, and a SHP2 inhibitor called JAB-3312.

Travere Therapeutics Inc. inked a licensing deal with Tokyo-based Renalys Pharma Inc. to develop sparsentan in 13 Asian countries, becoming the latest news to heat up the immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) therapy space.

Surrozen Inc.’s back-end-loaded deal with Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH for the preclinical frizzled class receptor 4 agonist SZN-413 takes aim at vascular function in retinal diseases. The arrangement brings an up-front payment to South San Francisco-based Surrozen of $12.5 million, plus up to $586.5 million in potential development, regulatory and commercial milestone rewards, along with mid-single-digit to low-double-digit royalties on sales. After an initial period of joint research, Boehringer, of Ingelheim, Germany, will take over development and commercial responsibilities.

The combined total of biopharma nonprofit collaborations and grants in 2020 has reached about $24 billion, more than three times the amount recorded for 2019.