HONG KONG – Kobiolabs Inc., a microbiome-based venture from Seoul, South Korea, has secured a KRW26.6 billion (US$22.2 million) investment. Founded in 2014, the venture has achieved KRW193 billion of enterprise value.

Australian researchers have developed the first potent new small-molecule inhibitors capable of blocking the activation of apoptotic cell death before it causes damage to mitochondria, they reported in a study published in the Oct. 7, 2019, issue of Nature Chemical Biology.

Days after going public, Viela Bio Inc. nailed down a deal with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. to develop and commercialize Viela’s humanized anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, inebilizumab, in nine Asia regions for the rare disease called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), as well as other potential future indications.

HONG KONG – South Korean pharmaceutical company Chong Kun Dang Holdings recently invested KRW5 billion (US$4.1 million) in Biorchestra Co. Ltd., a Korean startup based in Daejeon that aims to develop Alzheimer’s dementia treatment based on microRNA.

HONG KONG – Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration has added Gilead Sciences Inc.'s Biktarvy (bictegravir + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide), a once-daily single tablet for the treatment of adults with HIV-1, to its list of reimbursed medicines.

HONG KONG – I-Mab Biopharma (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has received IND approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its CD73 antibody, getting the go-ahead for a phase I/II trial of TJD-5 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

HONG KONG – Singapore's Aslan Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and South Korea's Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. have jointly established a new company dedicated to the development of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) drug candidates. Named Jaguahr Therapeutics Pte. Ltd. – the unusual spelling a clear reference to "AhR" – it will be based in Singapore and will focus on developing immuno-oncology therapeutics for global markets based on the preclinical AhR antagonists in Aslan's early stage pipeline.

PERTH, Australia – Australia is at risk of falling behind the U.S. and Europe in preventing recurrence of melanoma, the Melanoma Institute Australia warns. It is urging the Australian government to undertake a timely review of immunotherapy treatments effective in preventing the spread of melanoma and to fast track listings on the government-subsidized Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

HONG KONG – GI Innovation Inc., a microbiome combination drug developer based in Seoul, South Korea, has recently issued fully paid convertible preferred stock (CPS) worth KRW37.5 billion (US$31 million) for a series B investment.