Chinese vaccine company Ab&B Bio-tech announced an IPO listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX:2627) under which it hopes to raise up to HK$518.36 million (US$66 million) to commercialize its influenza and human rabies vaccines in China and internationally.
Total venture capital funding in U.K. biotech was £1.23 billion (US$1.64 billion) in the first half of 2025, almost matching the 2023 total of $1.66 billion and looking to be in position to equal the 2024 12-month total of $2.8 billion.
Chinese financings are picking up, with Everest Medicines Ltd. raising US$200 million and Nanjing-based Leads Bioloabs Co. Ltd. listing on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in a $189 million IPO.
Thirty-six biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies sought a capital raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the first half (H1) of 2025, a review by BioWorld found. Of those, 34 companies were from mainland China.
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.
Wuhan Healthgen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. gained clearance from the Shanghai Stock Exchange July 1 to list under a recently reinstated IPO growth tier geared towards supporting “unprofitable” biotechnology firms.
Transthera Sciences Inc. debuted on the Hong Kong stock exchange June 23 with a HK$200.95 million (US$25.6 million) IPO, becoming the latest in a string of mainland Chinese biopharmaceutical firms to turn to the Hong Kong market for capital.
Jyong Biotech Ltd. raised $20 million from its Nasdaq debut June 17 to advance a pipeline of botanical drugs targeting male urinary disorders. The New Taipei City, Taiwan-headquartered company’s shares began trading under the ticker MENS, and closed at $10.11 apiece at the bell, up 34.80% from its listing price of $7.50 per share. Shares had kicked up to $15 at opening, reaching double its offering price.
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 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.
RSS
