As the average cost of new drug R&D continues to skyrocket, the perception around using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to boost drug discovery is changing. “Developing new AI-based drugs is a difficult task, not only for Korea but also for countries with leading AI technology,” Hyeyun Jung, principal researcher of Korea Health Industry Development Institute’s Center for Health Industry Policy, told the audience at the Bio Korea meeting on May 9. “But there is a change in perception; [namely that] applying AI to new drug development is not an option but a necessity.”
Tiumbio Co. Ltd., of Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, reported positive phase IIa top-line data on May 8 for Merigolix, its lead asset to reduce pain in female patients with moderate to severe endometriosis.
SN Bioscience Co. Ltd., headquartered in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do’s second Pangyo Valley, gained U.S. FDA fast track designation for SNB-101 (SN-38), its new polymer nanoparticle cancer drug candidate for small-cell lung cancer.
In April, the value of biopharma deals climbed to $15.28 billion, increasing 84% from March’s $8.29 billion and also up from February’s $7.76 billion, though there was a decline from January’s $27.9 billion. This amounts to a monthly average of $14.86 billion in deal value for 2024, compared to the $18.14 billion monthly average in 2023. Meanwhile, the value of biopharma M&As dipped to $1.33 billion for the month, marking the lowest figure in nearly a year.
Clinical updates from Asia, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Acepodia, Adcentrx, Alterity, FDS, Incannex, Innovent, Neushen, Tiumbio.
Regulatory snapshots, including drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations in Asia-Pacific: Kexing, Mabwell.
Biopharma happenings in Asia-Pacific including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Akili, ARS, Biocytogen, CSL, Eisai, Formosa, GHIT, Maze, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Shionogi, Tabuk.
From glaucoma to Stargardt disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to retinitis pigmentosa, or a corneal transplant to Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy, the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) is working to bring some light to patients with age and congenital diseases that affect vision. From May 7-11, 2024, thousands of scientists are gathering in Baltimore to show their advances against the challenges of delivering genes and cells to the correct place, avoiding immunogenicity and improving diseases.
4M Therapeutics Inc. has announced the presentation of preclinical data on its small-molecule glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitors in models of bipolar disorder.
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