Qyuns Therapeutics Co. Ltd. signed a potential $1.07 billion license deal with Roche Holding AG, granting the latter exclusive rights to QX-031N – a human thymic stromal lymphopoietin and interleukin-33)-targeting bispecific antibody.
Ena Respiratory Pty Ltd. raised an AU$34 million (US$22.4 million) series B round to advance INNA-051, its nasal spray for symptomatic viral respiratory infections, to phase II trials. New investors in the Melbourne-headquartered company include the Gates Foundation and Flu Lab. Existing investors Brandon Capital, Uniseed and Stoic Venture Capital also participated in the round.
CF Pharmtech Inc. raised HK$607.67 million (US$78.12 million) through the sale of 41.19 million H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) Oct. 8. The proceeds will be used to advance the Suzhou, China-based drug developer’s portfolio of inhalation candidates for respiratory diseases.
While U.S. policymakers are scaling back funding on mRNA vaccine research, Australia is accelerating investment in the technology. At the center of this effort is Moderna Inc., which is establishing an mRNA research and manufacturing footprint in the country and banking on decades of local expertise to bring new therapies to the clinic and serve as a regional hub for Asia Pacific.
Several South Korean biotech and biopharmaceutical companies completed IND submissions or won nods to start clinical trials in either the U.S. or South Korea, including SK Bioscience Co. Ltd., Genosco Inc., Pimedbio Inc., Sillajen Inc. and Ami Pharm Co. Ltd.
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved Moderna Inc.’s Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccine as an updated shot for COVID-19 targeting the LP.8.1 variant, according to Moderna Korea’s announcement Sept. 1. The regulatory clearance comes days after the U.S. FDA accepted, on Aug. 27, Moderna’s supplemental BLAs for two of its COVID-19 vaccines, Spikevax and Mnexspike.
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) secured 5.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer Inc./Biontech SE and Moderna Inc., officially including the mRNA-based vaccines in the country’s national immunization program on Aug. 5.
Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. is out-licensing to GSK plc its potential best-in-class phase I phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor (HRS-9821) for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease along with 11 additional programs in development for $500 million up front and up to $12 billion in potential milestones.
Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. agreed to fully acquire Lanova Medicines Ltd. by buying an additional 95.09% stake in Lanova at a valuation of up to $950.92 million. Considering Lanova’s estimated cash and deposit of $450 million, Hong Kong-headquartered Sino agreed to pay $500.9 million to Lanova on the date of the transaction, set to close within 30 days of all conditions being satisfied, or July 31, 2025.
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.
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