BEIJING – Multinational antibody specialist Hifibio Therapeutics Inc. said it closed a $67 million series C financing round to advance its drug candidates for cancer and autoimmune disorders.

SEOUL – After a decade of steady increases, venture capital (VC) investments in South Korea's biotech sector are more active. But for the country's strategic financial plan to be sustainable, it will have to further strengthen its science capabilities, according to experts at the Korea Bio Investment Conference (KBIC) last week in Seoul.

SEOUL – South Korea's investors have become very interested in the global cell and gene therapy market. Licensing and M&A deals in the field have been active – a good sign for Korean biopharma firms eager to tap in.

Rakuten Medical Inc., the developer of a precision photoimmunotherapy platform targeting head and neck cancer, has raised about $100 million in a series C-1 preferred stock financing from Rakuten Inc., a global internet services company headquartered in Japan that now owns 22.5% of the company. 

HONG KONG – Chengdu-based Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., of China's Sichuan province, closed a series B financing that added $40 million to the company's pocket. The proceeds will go to the global phase III study for lead asset HC-1119 for prostate cancer.