Business

BioSpectrum Asia
Empowering Women in STEM: Viet Nam's Journey Towards Innovation and Equality
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) (observed on February 11) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Recognising the importance of gender inclusivity, Viet Nam has taken major policy steps to empower female researchers and entrepreneurs. By investing in education, policy reforms, and celebrating the achievements of women scientists, the country is setting a global example for inclusive development.
4 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
ADCS on the rise: A Trojan Horse Race for Patients
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a major therapeutic approach creating new opportunities for a range of cancer treatments. The recent scientific and clinical progress in the ADC field underscores its importance for ongoing research.
4 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
A Wake-Up Call for International Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD) (celebrated on March 8) has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women's advancement. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about women's equality. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action (theme for IWD 2025) emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. Talking about the status of women in Australian life sciences space, the article calls for an action for better health, great businesses and a stronger economy.
3 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Collaboration vs.Competition: Patent Cliffs
The biosimilar business is growing increasingly fragmented among smaller firms, even as larger corporations are merging. Biosimilars are being developed by more than 40 smaller companies, many of which have no prior experience in the field. Long-term viability and supply reliability are threatened by this fragmentation.
3 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
"Biotech sector in Taiwan moves fast, making it easier to pivot and innovate"
Caliway Biopharmaceuticals has recently announced the completion of its initial public offering (IPO) and up-listing from the Emerging Stock Market to the Taipei Exchange (TWSE-6919). The round raised approximately $206 million (NT$6.4 billion), marking it the largest IPO in Taiwan's biotech industry history and valuing the company at nearly $3 billion. The company is poised for a transformation in 2025, advancing its groundbreaking clinical programmes and strengthening its global market presence. Following its recent record-breaking IPO, BioSpectrum Asia took an opportunity to speak with Vivian Ling, Chief Executive Officer & Chief R&D Officer, Caliway Biopharmaceuticals to explore their innovative contributions in biopharmaceuticals. Edited excerpts:
4 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
"Personalised medicine is now a reality, not just an aspiration"
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, (a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation, Japan) is at the forefront of advancing blood- and cell-based therapies. In an interview with BioSpectrum Asia, Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO,Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies outlines the company’s current strategy, key projects, the importance of the APAC region, and her perspective on evolving trends in the industry.
4 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Rise of ADCs: Expanding Applications and the Road to Commercialisation
The development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has advanced significantly in the biopharmaceutical sector; in the last five years, eight of the 14 ADCs that are currently approved have obtained regulatory approval. The quantity of pre-clinical to commercial ADC compounds in the innovative modality pipeline increased by more than 25 per cent year over year, according to a market trend. ADCs have the potential to transform targeted medicine and give patients everywhere new hope with further development and wise funding.
4 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Mitigating PATENT CLIFF Fallout
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent a $279.8 billion market, projected to reach $804 billion by 2033, according to a report from Dimension Market Research. With patents for many of these valuable drugs set to expire in the coming years, the industry faces significant challenges. In this story, we examine 11 blockbuster mAbs whose patents will expire between 2025 and 2030. These expirations, affecting some of pharma's biggest players, will have a major impact on the market and their revenue streams.
10 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
How Degrader-Antibody Conjugates Are Transforming Precision Medicine for Oncology & Beyond
Targeted cancer therapy has advanced significantly with the creation of Degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs). The shortcomings of conventional ADCs are addressed by DACs, which combine the specificity of antibodies with the special capacity of protein degraders to eradicate important oncogenic drivers.
2 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Trump's Executive Order Impinges WHO Ops
The United States has announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that raises significant concerns due to the US being its largest donor, contributing nearly 18 per cent of the funding. This decision creates a major funding gap for the WHO. What immediate actions will the organisation and its member states take to address this shortfall, and how might it reshape the global leadership landscape in health governance? Let's find out.
4 min |
March 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Prof. Christian Wolfrum to join NTU as Deputy President and Provost
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has announced that Professor Christian Wolfrum, an eminent biomedical scientist, will be joining the University as the next Deputy President and Provost.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Japan suggests addition of PVA into drugs for strong antitumour activity
Treatment for more advanced and difficult-to-treat head and neck cancers can be improved with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the same ingredient used in children's glue.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
"Demand for skilled medtech professionals in the Asia Pacific region is growing rapidly"
2024 saw Japanese medtech firm Olympus receiving approval for the company's first cloud-based AI endoscopy devices in the US and Europe, marking a significant milestone in Olympus' efforts to enhance clinical outcomes and operational efficiency in endoscopy, paving the way to launch its upcoming endoscopy solution, the “Intelligent Endoscopy Ecosystem”.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
BeiGene names Giancarlo Benelli as Head of Europe biz
BeiGene, a Hong Kong-headquartered oncology company that intends to change its name to BeOne Medicines Ltd., has announced the appointment of Giancarlo Benelli as Senior Vice President and Head of Europe, effective January 1.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Korea develops innovative injectable adhesive hydrogel for bone regeneration
A research team from South Korea-based Pohang University of Science and Technology or POSTECH's Department of Chemical Engineering and Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, along with the Department of Chemical Engineering, has developed an innovative injectable adhesive hydrogel for bone regeneration.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
When Clinical Trials Suffer From 'Complicated' Interactions
Diversity in culture, language, and data gathering methods will further increase the difficulty of clinical trials as they become more international, particularly with the growing number of sites being employed across China, Japan, South Korea, and India.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Dr Krishna M Ella receives prestigious INSA India fellowship
Dr Krishna Ella, a distinguished scientist, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International, has been recognised with the prestigious India Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for the year 2025, for his contributions to new knowledge, discoveries, development of new vaccine technologies, noteworthy improvement in existing technologies.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Bruker launches infrared imaging microscope for pharma and life science research
US-based Bruker Corporation has announced the launch of the LUMOS II ILIM, a quantum cascade laser (QCL) based infrared (IR) imaging microscope.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Qiagen increases QIAcuity digital PCR high-order multiplexing capabilities
Qiagen has announced a significant increase in the powerful capabilities of its QIAcuity Digital PCR (dPCR) system with a more than two-fold increase in the number of targets that can be simultaneously analysed from a single biological sample.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Repligen unveils advanced UV-based Variable Pathlength Technology system for biopharma manufacturers
US-based Repligen Corporation has announced the commercial launch of its CTech SoloVPE PLUS System, the most advanced UV-based Variable Pathlength Technology system now available to biopharmaceutical manufacturers.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Bio-Techne and Waters ink comarketing agreement for biotherapeutic characterisation
American life sciences company Bio-Techne Corporation, a leader in automated platforms for biotherapeutic characterization, has announced a co-marketing and co-promotion agreement with Waters Corporation aimed at expanding the reach of advanced biotherapeutic characterization and development processes.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore appoints Tan Chong Meng as Chairman of National University Health System
The Minister for Health has appointed Tan Chong Meng as the Chairman of the Board of the National University Health System (NUHS) from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
"There is a need for pharmaceutical companies to build HCP relationships, backed by scientific credibility"
Docquity, headquartered in Singapore, is Southeast Asia's largest professional network for verified healthcare professionals (HCPs), connecting over 410,000 doctors across the region.
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore boosts chemotherapy uptake in breast cancer treatment with localised magnetic fields
Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a non-invasive method to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy while reducing its harmful side effects.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
APAC takes Centre stage in Al-Driven Drug Discovery
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is rapidly emerging as a leader in Al-driven drug discovery, fuelled by robust research ecosystems and strong industry collaboration.
10+ min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
UK declares biggest investment of £126 M into hospices
The biggest investment in a generation for hospices has been announced by the UK government, ensuring that hospices can continue to deliver the highest quality end-of-life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Universities in China & Pakistan ink MoU for advanced research in health sciences
The School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China, and the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in cutting-edge scientific research and academic exchange.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Australia manufactures 3D printed scaffolding to rebuild jaw bones
Clinicians have successfully used custom-made 3D printed bone scaffolds, printed on-site at The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia, to rebuild part of a man's jawbone.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Abu Dhabi announces AED 19 M in grants through Healthcare Research and Innovation Fund
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DOH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, in partnership with the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, the Abu Dhabi Government's dedicated platform that connects the government, private sector, and wider community to address key social priorities, has awarded over AED 19 million in grants through the Healthcare Research and Innovation Fund.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Feb 2025

BioSpectrum Asia
Gavi facilitates donations of mpox vaccine doses, with first delivery to Nigeria
A shipment of 11,200 doses, donated by the United States of America and facilitated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, were recently shipped to Abuja, Nigeria.
1 min |