Radiopharmaceutical biotech and contract development and organization firm Duchembio Co. Ltd. filed a securities report to South Korea’s Financial Services Commission Nov. 11, kickstarting the IPO process to list on the Korea Exchange.
A year out from Leqembi’s approval for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), ongoing research coupled with artificial intelligence is advancing both radiopharmaceuticals and small-molecule drugs for AD diagnostics and treatment, speakers at the 2024 KoNECT-MOHW-MFDS conference said.
Technological breakthroughs are changing the biopharmaceutical landscape and forcing regulators to think on their feet and facilitate (not impede) innovation, experts said at the Global Bio Conference (GBC) 2024. “Regulatory speed and agility are necessary amid emergencies to cater to unmet medical needs,” Choong May Ling, CEO of Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority, told audience members in Seoul, South Korea.
Aging is part of the life cycle and, although the effects are not manifest until after adulthood, it actually occurs from birth. The concept of senescence has traditionally been associated with aging. However, an embryo has senescent cells. In that case, what is aging, how can it be measured, and from what point in the life cycle?
Researchers in Japan were able to transfer genes from jellyfish into common fruit flies and discovered that the transferred gene suppressed an age-related intestinal issue in the flies. The findings suggest that studying genes specific to animals with high regenerative capability like jellyfish may uncover new mechanisms for rejuvenating stem cell function and extending the healthy lifespan of unrelated organisms.
Altos Biologics Inc., founded as an eye disease-focused subsidiary of Alteogen Inc. in 2020, raised ₩24.5 billion (US$17.7 million) in a series B financing round to advance its pipeline of therapeutics for eye-related conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Daejeon, South Korea-based Alteogen said July 9 that the funds raised will be funneled to develop OP-01, Altos’ candidate therapy for AMD.
Suzhou, China-headquartered Ascentage Pharma Group Corp. Ltd. has filed plans for a confidential IPO to the U.S. SEC for a potential dual listing on both the U.S. and Hong Kong stock exchanges. News of the U.S. IPO came just a few days after Ascentage drew a $75 million equity investment from Osaka, Japan-headquartered Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. with the issuance of about 24.3 million shares at a purchase price of HK$24.09 (US$3.08) per share.
Suzhou, China-based Kintor Pharmaceutical Ltd. reported positive findings from a phase II study of GT-20029, a topical therapy for male androgenetic alopecia, on April 21 – boosting both the company’s stock and its chances of a late-stage clinical study in China and the U.S.
BNC Korea Inc. is picking up exclusive commercial rights to Kariya Pharmaceuticals ApS’ dual GLP-1/GIP agonists for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease in five countries – a move that comes shortly after BNC Korea dropped $1.5 million into the Danish pharma for a 4.5% stake.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is recognized worldwide for its debilitating symptoms of declining cognitive function and gradual memory loss. What remains less clear is exactly what causes the neurodegenerative disease, and how to treat it. “Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two key pathologies – beta-amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles.” Seung-Yong Yoon, CEO of Adel Inc., told BioWorld. “Adel is looking to develop a tau-targeting drug, considering tau has been more correlated with AD symptom progression, and the industry’s need for tau pipelines.”
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