HONG KONG – Bispecific antibody startup Epimab Biotherapeutics Inc. has completed a $120 million series C financing, bringing it closer to a potential IPO next year. The Shanghai-based company said the new funds would help it move EMB-01 into phase II testing this year. Read More
HONG KONG – Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is celebrating its 100th anniversary by inking a collaboration and licensing agreement with Perception Neuroscience LLC to develop and commercialize the latter’s PCN-101 (r-ketamine) in Japan. Read More
Small-molecule mRNA translation expert Anima Biotech Inc. has landed a significant new preclinical research deal with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., covering as many as six programs for genetically defined neurological diseases. The deal starts with $120 million in up-front and preclinical research milestone payments for Anima, but altogether the two-part collaboration could hold as much as $2.3 billion. Read More
HONG KONG – Uni-Bio Science Group Ltd. and Dotbio Pte. Ltd. formed a partnership to develop therapeutics for patients with retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion and myopic choroidal neovascularization. Read More
Like its distinctive name, Dragon Boat Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., of Shanghai, raced to victory with the Chinese IND approval for its anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody candidate BC-006, marking an important milestone for the company as it embraces a growing focus on innovative medicines. Read More
While historical data suggest venture capital rounds will eventually dip below the peak years, biopharma financings completed in recent months indicate the dollars are continuing to climb in 2021. A maturing industry, the high potential of cell and gene therapy products, the advancing technologies of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as an eager financial community, are all responsible for the ever-increasing availability of private money. Read More
PERTH, Australia – Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Australian manufacture of Astrazeneca plc’s COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1-S), which is being manufactured by CSL Ltd. Read More
CAJICA, Colombia – Countries in Latin America have joined those in Europe expressing mixed reactions about continuing their vaccination plans with the AZD-1222 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine developed by Astrazeneca plc and the University of Oxford, following reports of alleged adverse events. Read More
LONDON – The alchemy of induced pluripotent cells has broken another barrier, delivering a model of the earliest preimplantation stages of human development, when fertilized eggs form a blastocyst. Read More
Biopharmas in Asia-Pacific raising money in public or private financings, including: Beigene, Boston Immune Technologies and Therapeutics, Connect, I-Mab, Innoforce, Neoimmunetech, Noxopharm, Nyrada, Tavotek. Read More
Clinical updates from Asia, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications, including: AIM Immunotech, Amerimmune, Ampio, Astrazeneca, Bioage Labs, Biophytis, Curevac, Edesa, Eisai, Glaxosmithkline, Harbour Biomed, Histogen, Immutep, Incyte, Medicago, Merck, Moderna, Neurorx, Noxopharm, Reithera, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, University of Hong Kong. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations in Asia-Pacific, including: Arbutus, Arch Biopartners, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Citrine Medicine, Corat, Cytocom, Everest Medicines, Meissa Vaccines, Qilu, RDIF, Redhill, Sesen. Read More
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting biopharma in Asia, including: Canadian government, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, EMA, Stop TB Partnership, Therapeutic Goods Administration. Read More
