Taiwan’s Brim Biotechnology Inc. announced a capital raise of $18 million to advance its lead candidate, regenerative peptide therapy BRM-421, to phase III trials for dry eye syndrome. It’s designed to offer relief from dry eye symptoms by stimulating proliferation and differentiation of stem cells to repair damage to the cornea. “Our goal is restoration and repair of the damage caused by DES,” said Brim founder and CEO Haishan Jang.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s dengue fever vaccine, Qdenga, was approved in Indonesia Aug. 23, making it the first global approval for the tetravalent vaccine. The approval marks Takeda’s first marketed vaccine outside of Japan. Indonesia’s National Agency for Drug and Food Control approved the vaccine for prevention of dengue disease caused by any serotype in individuals 6 years to 45 years of age.
Women with endometriosis may soon be able to take a simple blood test to determine if they have the condition thanks to a new test being developed by Proteomics International Pty Ltd. that detects up to 78% of women with endometriosis.
Cell Envision Ltd. completed an angel round that will help expand its presence in the U.S. and Europe. Taiwan-based Cell Envision has developed a self-assembled cell arrangement (SACA) monitoring system that can improve patient survival rates of cancer, together with enhancements in reproductive medicine.
Founded in 2014, Bertis Co. Ltd. is developing proteomics-based diagnostics and biomarkers by combining artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms with high-performance mass spectrometry technology. Using this technology, it is able to quantify extremely small amounts of protein.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s dengue fever vaccine, Qdenga, was approved in Indonesia Aug. 23, making it the first global approval for the tetravalent vaccine. The approval marks Takeda’s first marketed vaccine outside of Japan. Indonesia’s National Agency for Drug and Food Control approved the vaccine for prevention of dengue disease caused by any serotype in individuals 6 years to 45 years of age.
A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed tattoo ink made of liquid metal and carbon nanotubes that can work as a bioelectrode. This technology could translate to a tattoo that can function as a health-monitoring device.
Epigenic Therapeutics Co. Ltd., a company developing epigenomic-focused gene therapies in multiple indications, has raised $20 million across angel and pre-series A rounds to support preclinical studies, early stage research, and growth for its team.
Growing the international competitiveness of Taiwan’s biotech sector is one of six key strategies Taiwan’s government is heavily invested in, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told attendees via video during the recent BIO Asia-Taiwan conference in Taipei.
Everest Medicines Ltd. has inked an agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc. to pass the latter’s subsidiary, Immunomedics Inc., exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) in greater China, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Mongolia.