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BioSpectrum Asia Magazine - BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026

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In this issue

The Future of mRNA Is Being Built in APAC Beyond scientific advancement, mRNA represents a strategic opportunity shaped by policy stability, public investment and regional collaboration. Across APAC, governments are increasingly recognising that supportive regulatory frameworks and long-term funding can serve as powerful competitive advantages, attracting global capital and talent. While political dynamics in the United States have slowed momentum, experts emphasise that the science underpinning mRNA technology remains sound. To fully realise its potential, the region will need greater coordination across borders, including regulatory harmonisation and joint development pathways, to build a resilient mRNA ecosystem capable of addressing shared health challenges and driving long-term innovation.

ASIA'S NEW GLOBAL PLAY IN PHARMA INNOVATION

The beginning of the new year has brought two notable developments from Asia's pharmaceutical landscape—one involving a government regulator and the other a private pharmaceutical major. While distinct in nature, both moves share a common strategic objective: stepping beyond regional boundaries to accelerate innovation and improve patient access to breakthrough therapies. One looks westward to Europe, the other to the United States.

2 mins

UK and Singapore launch new regulatory innovation corridor to fast-track health technologies

As part of this first-of-its-kind partnership between the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA), companies will have a coordinated fast track pathway to engage both regulators at the same time.

1 mins

Australia invests $9.6 M to strengthen healthcare

The Australia government is investing $9.6 million into research to better support Australians who rely heavily on health services, helping to meet growing demand on the health system.

1 mins

Pharmacopoeia Commission of India inks 3 MoUs with Nagaland

The Pharmacopoeia Commission of India (IPC), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Nagaland Medical Council, Nagaland State Drug Control Administration (NSDCA), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland and State Pharmacy Council, Government of Nagaland, a northeastern state of India.

1 mins

New Zealand maintains comprehensive respiratory surveillance system

The Ministry of Health, in consultation with partners the National Public Health Service and PHF Science, has decided to not renew its contract for FluTracking New Zealand because New Zealand has other surveillance tools for respiratory illnesses that provide similar information.

1 mins

Korea, China, and Japan discuss cooperation on health policies

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea government recently hosted the 18th Tripartite Health Ministers' Meeting as an opportunity for the three East Asian partner countries to identify shared health challenges and strengthen comprehensive cooperation.

1 mins

Korea steps up pandemic response with $18.9 M investment in CEPI

The Republic of Korea has announced new $18.9 million support to bolster national and global efforts to protect against the next deadly pandemic and boost international health security.

1 mins

GHIT invests $460,000 for development of Mpox detection test prototype

Japan-based Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund has announced an investment of approximately JPY 70 million ($460,000) for the development of a prototype detection test for mpox (monkeypox).

1 mins

Immutep inks oncology deal worth $349.5 M with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

Australia-based Immutep Limited and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, based in India, have announced that their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries, Immutep SAS and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories SA, have entered into a strategic collaboration and exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialisation of Eftilagimod Alfa (efti) in all countries outside North America, Europe, Japan, and Greater China.

1 mins

Glenmark bags multi-regional rights of Hansoh Pharma's oncology drug for $1 B

Glenmark Specialty S.A. (GSSA), a wholly owned subsidiary of India-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, has entered into an exclusive license, collaboration and distribution agreement with Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., for Aumolertinib, a third-generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

1 mins

Precious Medical Group invests RM500 M for advanced cancer care infrastructure in Malaysia

Singapore-based healthcare provider Precious Medical Group has announced the launch of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Centre and Hospital, a landmark RM500 million development featuring state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities.

1 mins

ADEL signs $1.04 B deal with Sanofi for novel Alzheimer's therapy

ADEL, Inc., a South Korea-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Sanofi, a multinational healthcare company, for the development and commercialisation of ADEL-Yo1, a potential first-in-class antibody therapy for Alzheimer's disease, and related backup compounds.

1 mins

SAI Parenterals acquires Noumed Pharma for Rs 125 Cr

SAI Parenterals Limited (SPL), an India-based pharmaceutical formulation company, has announced the acquisition of a 74.6 per cent controlling stake in Noumed Pharmaceuticals, an Adelaidebased pharmaceutical company, for an aggregate sum of Rs 125 crore.

1 mins

CSL opens cell-based influenza vaccine and antivenom manufacturing facility in Melbourne

Australia's onshore vaccine manufacturing capabilities took a leap forward as Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, opened CSL Seqirus' state-of-the-art cell-based influenza vaccine and antivenom manufacturing facility in Melbourne.

1 mins

Insilico Medicine, TaiGen collaborate for AIdriven PHD inhibitor for CKD-related anaemia

Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company headquartered in Hong Kong, and Taiwan's TaiGen Biotechnology, a listed discoverybased and market-focused pharmaceutical company, as well as TaiGen Biopharmaceuticals, its wholly-owned Beijing subsidiary, have announced an exclusive pipeline out-licensing collaboration.

1 mins

Zydus Lifesciences partners with Myriad Genetics to launch cancer-risk assessment diagnostic tests in India.

India-based Zydus Lifesciences has signed an agreement with US-based Myriad Genetics, a leader in molecular diagnostic testing and precision medicine.

1 mins

Rhinocare Korea accelerates global expansion with Singapore joint venture

Rhinocare Korea, a medtech innovator specialising in drug-free respiratory care, has announced plans to establish a joint venture (JV) in Singapore as part of its strategy to expand across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.

1 mins

Fapon, Bio Farma partner to advance IVD localisation and innovation in Indonesia

PT Fapon Bioindustries Indonesia and the Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical holding company PT Bio Farma (Persero) have signed a cooperation agreement.

1 mins

Lunit partners with Daiichi Sankyo to advance Aldriven oncology research

South Korea-based Lunit, a leading provider of AI for cancer diagnostics and precision oncology, has announced a collaboration with Japanese pharma firm Daiichi Sankyo that aims to accelerate biomarker discovery and optimise translational research by integrating multiple AI-powered Lunit SCOPE digital pathology products across two oncology pipeline programmes.

1 mins

D3 Bio secures $108 M to advance global clinical programmes

D3 Bio, a global clinical-stage biotechnology company from China focused on the discovery and development of innovative oncology therapeutics, has announced the completion of a $108 million Series B financing round.

1 mins

PRISM BioLab partners with Talus Bioscience for AI-based drug discovery

Japan-based PRISM BioLab and US-based startup Talus Bioscience, Inc. have entered into a collaboration to discover novel inhibitors of transcription factor (TF) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) targets.

1 mins

Ferronova raises $6 M to advance imageguided cancer surgery

Australian startup Ferronova has raised a further $6 million to progress the commercialisation of a novel nanoparticle image-guided surgery solution seeking to improve identification of cancer cells and reduce the risk of undetected recurrence following surgery.

1 mins

Galux joins hands with Boehringer Ingelheim to advance AI-driven protein design

Galux, a South Korean biotech startup pioneering AI-driven protein therapeutics discovery, has signed a research agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to jointly explore the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in precision protein design for therapeutic development.

1 mins

Respiree gets HSA's approval for 1Bio AI-Acute toolbox to support healthcare

Singapore-based health-tech startup Respiree has received approval from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for its 1Bio AI-Acute toolbox as a Class B software-as-a-medical device (SaMD).

1 mins

UST and IIT-M sign MoU to accelerate deep tech startups in healthcare and life sciences

UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC), India's premier deep tech startup hub anchored at IIT-Madras, to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and research-driven solutions in the healthcare and life sciences sector.

1 mins

Cambodia introduces lifesaving rotavirus vaccine nationwide

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia has announced the nationwide introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the National Immunisation Schedule, marking a significant milestone in protecting infants and young children from one of the leading causes of severe diarrhoea and child mortality.

1 mins

PAHO launches roadmap to improve blood pressure control

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched the new HEARTS Quality Framework, a practical guide published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, which countries can immediately use to enhance hypertension and cardiovascular risk management, prevent heart attacks and strokes, and deliver better care through primary health care within their communities.

1 mins

Gavi and World Bank to boost health system resilience and regional vaccine manufacturing

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), and the World Bank Group are deepening their collaboration to strengthen financing for immunisation and primary healthcare systems, while also supporting regional vaccine manufacturing in Africa.

1 mins

US FDA launches novel Digital Health Pilot to expand access to chronic disease technologies

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the TechnologyEnabled Meaningful Patient Outcomes (TEMPO) for Digital Health Devices Pilot, a voluntary pilot designed to promote access to certain digital health devices while safeguarding patient safety.

1 mins

UK to prioritise medical graduates for training places

The UK government has put an offer to the British Medical Association (BMA) that would put in place emergency legislation for UK and Republic of Ireland medical graduates and doctors who have worked in the National Health Service (NHS) for a significant period of time to be prioritised for specialty training and tackling bottlenecks through an overhaul of recruitment for medical training.

1 mins

University of Oxford launches world's first Phase II Nipah virus vaccine trial

The University of Oxford has launched the world's first Phase II clinical trial of a Nipah virus vaccine candidate.

1 mins

Belgium and WHO sign new agreement to boost global health accessibility

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a new €8 million, four-year contribution from the Government of Belgium to accelerate global equitable access to essential health products and technologies.

1 mins

WHO launches new cancer control planning course

In support of cancer control efforts in countries around the world, the WHO Academy has launched a course on National Cancer Control Planning for Programme Managers.

1 mins

WHO and the European Commission expand partnership to combat AMR

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness Authority (HERA) have signed a €3.5 million agreement to expand their partnership to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under the EU4Health programme.

1 mins

The Future of mRNA Is Being Built in APAC

Beyond scientific advancement, mRNA represents a strategic opportunity shaped by policy stability, public investment and regional collaboration. Across APAC, governments are increasingly recognising that supportive regulatory frameworks and long-term funding can serve as powerful competitive advantages, attracting global capital and talent.

10+ mins

mRNA landscape in Japan

Japan's mRNA landscape is steadily evolving, shaped by domestic investment, active regulatory engagement, and growing alignment across industry, academia, and government to support both near-term scale-up and longer-term innovation.

1 mins

Reshaping Asia's Healthcare with mRNA Innovation

The COVID-19 pandemic acted as both a challenge and a catalyst, serving as a testbed that fundamentally reshaped the biotechnology landscape across Asia and beyond. What emerged during this period was not just a breakthrough moment for mRNA, but the early foundation of a broader transformation that is still unfolding.

2 mins

Seeing Opportunity in Ophthalmology

Asia-Pacific is emerging as one of the most active regions for ophthalmology innovation. In recent months, a wave of cross-border partnerships and licensing deals has underscored both the scale of unmet need in eye disease and the region's growing ambition to play a larger role in treatment development. From glaucoma and retinal disorders to dry eye disease and childhood myopia, companies across pharma, biotech, and medtech are increasingly accelerating clinical progress.

6 mins

Japan Pushes Startups to Power the Next Biotech Cycle

In recent years, the Japanese government has rolled out a series of initiatives to reshape the country's biopharma ecosystem. These include expanded venture funding, targeted subsidies for drug development, and tax incentives for investors, entrepreneurs, and startup employees.

4 mins

There are talent shortages in specialised modalities such as ADCs, peptides, and computational biology

As the Asia Pacific (APAC) contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) sector continues to expand rapidly due to rising R&D investment, strong biotech formation, increased demand for Investigational New Drug (IND) - enabling and early Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) services, and national incentives for biomanufacturing, KBI Biopharma is focused on targeted expansion into Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Australia, for improving local engagement and enhancing access to global network. BioSpectrum Asia spoke to Katie Edgar, Chief Business Officer, KBI Biopharma to learn more about the company's growth plans in 2026, and about the growth opportunities in store for the CDMO market within the APAC region.

4 mins

"Industry needs to evolve and invest in ADC payloads with more differentiated mechanisms of action

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are becoming highly valuable in the market, with currently 15 approved ADCs targeting 16 different indications for haematological and solid tumour malignancies. With key components of ADCs, such as mAbs, linkers, payloads, and conjugation technologies, undergoing rapid advancements, a solid foundation has been laid for future research and development in this field, particularly in North America which is the largest market shareholder for ADCs. US recently wrapped up the world's largest & definitive Antibody-Drug Conjugate event, World ADC, held in November 2025, highlighting the development of novel ADCs through key market players, and a surge in patent application filing for ADCs. Dr Allan Jordan, Vice President of Oncology Drug Discovery at Sygnature Discovery, UK spoke in detail with BioSpectrum Asia about the future outlook of ADCs.

4 mins

Momentum in Motion: What Will Shape APAC's Life Sciences Landscape in 2026?

Asia-Pacific's life sciences sector is growing rapidly, driven by its scale, diversity and resilience. Accelerating demographic change and strong investment in innovation position the region to outpace global growth and shape the future of healthcare.

5 mins

How Precision Medicine Is Reshaping Cancer Care

Despite major advances in cancer detection and treatment, high recurrence rates and progression to advanced disease continue to challenge outcomes across Asia-making precision medicine a critical catalyst for shifting cancer care from disease management toward treat-to-cure.

2 mins

Indian S&T Minister Dr Jitendra Singh Honours Life Sciences Stalwarts With BioSpectrum India Excellence Awards 2025

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, honoured the leading figures of the life sciences industry for their contributions and achievements for the year 2023-24 and 2024-25 during BioSpectrum India Excellence Awards 2025 event, organised by BioSpectrum India, an integrated B2B media platform for the bioscience industry, and MMA Spectrum Foundation, in New Delhi on December 5.

3 mins

MMA Spectrum Foundation Launches Initiative to Support Startups and Young Innovators

The MMA Spectrum Foundation, an initiative of the MM Activ Group, has announced its commitment to encouraging startups by providing structured support to young innovators with entrepreneurial vision.

1 mins

Biotechnology to Drive Next Industrial Revolution: Dr Jitendra Singh

\"Biotechnology will play a defining role in shaping the next industrial revolution and will be a key driver of global and Indian economic growth\", said Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology.

1 mins

BioSpectrum Excellence Awards Highlight Strength and Future of India's Biotechnology Sector

Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, Dr Renu Swarup, underscored the importance of recognising excellence across the biotechnology ecosystem while chairing the jury at the BioSpectrum Excellence Awards.

1 mins

Kyowa Kirin names Dr Abdul Mullick as President and CEO

Kyowa Kirin, a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced the Board of Directors' decision to appoint Abdul Mullick, PhD, currently President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

1 mins

Nona Biosciences appoints Dr Hongjiang Miao as Chief AI Officer

Nona Biosciences, a global biotechnology company providing integrated solutions for biological drug discovery and development from Idea to IND, has announced the appointment of Dr Hongjiang Miao as Chief AI Officer.

1 mins

Thyrocare announces appointment of Dr Ramesh Kinha as Chief Operating Officer

India-based Thyrocare Technologies has appointed Dr Ramesh Kinha as its Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to scale its operations across India.

1 mins

DHL Express enhances Asia Pacific leadership team with strategic appointments

Pharma logistics company DHL Express has made two key leadership appointments in Asia Pacific-Chee Choong Ng as Senior Vice President of Human Resources (HR) for Asia Pacific, and Samuel Lee as Managing Director for Taiwan.

1 mins

Neurophet ropes in Josh Cohen as Head of Americas Business

South Korea-based Neurophet, an artificial intelligence (AI) solution company for brain disorders diagnosis and treatment, has appointed Josh Cohen, a veteran executive from leading global medical device companies, as new Head of Americas Business.

1 mins

Cartherics names Dr lan Nisbet as CEO

Australia-based Cartherics, a biotechnology company developing off-the-shelf immune cell therapies focusing on high-impact women's diseases, with lead programmes in ovarian cancer and endometriosis, has announced the appointment of Dr Ian Nisbet as Chief Executive Officer, as part of a planned leadership transition.

1 mins

Hong Kong develops breakthrough test aiding early autism diagnosis

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)'s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) has announced the official launch of the world's first AI-Powered Multikingdom Microbial Biomarkers Technology (MSX Metagenie), in collaboration with MicroSigX Biotech Diagnostic Limited, a CUHK spin-off.

1 mins

Japan designs innovative diagnostic technology using machine learning

Scientists at Japan's University of Tokyo have developed an innovative diagnostic technology that analyses the full drying process of a blood droplet using machine learning.

1 mins

Advanced brain imaging reveals promise of new drug for Parkinson's disease

Australia's University of Queensland (UQ) researchers have developed a promising new anti-inflammatory drug and, for the first time, used advanced imaging to watch its effects unfold inside the living brain, a breakthrough that could accelerate treatments for Parkinson's disease.

1 mins

New tool by Singapore reveals hidden metabolic weakness in blood cancers

Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and their international collaborators have developed a new computational tool that maps how gene pathways interact in complex biological systems.

1 mins

Korea builds AI-engineered nasal spray antiviral platform

A research team at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has successfully developed a nasal (intranasal) antiviral platform using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to overcome the existing limitations of interferonlambda treatments, namely, being weak against heat and disappearing quickly from the nasal mucosa.

1 mins

India creates new method for better and comprehensive treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Mohali-based Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, have consolidated nanotechnology, molecular biology and computational modelling to develop a multifaceted therapy for Alzheimer's disease.

1 mins

Cytiva and Fida Biosystems collaborate to improve molecular insight for faster drug discovery

Cytiva, a Danaher company and leader in the life sciences industry, and Fida Biosystems, a Danish company specialising in molecular analysis, have joined forces to expand analytical capabilities for protein research.

1 mins

Pixelgen Technologies further expands Asia presence

Pixelgen Technologies, Inc. and MDXK (Molecular Diagnostics Korea) Inc., part of DKSH Business Unit Technology, a leader in market expansion services, have announced a distribution agreement to bring Pixelgen's Proxiome Kit to life sciences researchers in South Korea.

1 mins

Repligen introduces next-generation chromatography resins

Repligen Corporation, a life sciences company focused on bioprocessing technology leadership, has announced the launch of three new high-performance chromatography resins:

1 mins

Agilent and Monash University Malaysia strengthen partnership with new BioDiscovery Hub

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced the expansion of their strategic collaboration with Monash University in Malaysia to establish a state-of-the-art MUMPMP-Agilent BioDiscovery Hub aimed at accelerating regional biotechnology research and innovation.

1 mins

Hanahealth by DSS Imagetech launches GERI Time-Lapse Incubator in India

Hanahealth by DSS Imagetech, the authorised partner of Sydney-based Genea Biomedx, has launched the advanced GERI Time-Lapse Incubator pan India. GERI, the nextgeneration Time Lapse embryo culture system from Genea Biomedx, is ideal for IVF clinics, labs adopting digital transformation, centres working toward accreditation, and research-focused fertility groups as it enables them to modernise their processes and improve IVF outcomes.

1 mins

Thermo Fisher Scientific expands Gibco Bacto portfolio

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced the launch of Gibco Bacto CD Supreme FPM Plus and Gibco Bacto CD Supreme Feed (2X), two next-generation chemically-defined formulations that expand the Gibco Bacto CD portfolio to enhance and simplify plasmid DNA and recombinant protein production using Escherichia coli (E. coli).

1 mins

India's Final Mile to TB Elimination

As the target year 2025 draws to a close, the Government of India has intensified and consolidated nationwide efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) through the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, implemented under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). India's decision to advance the TB elimination timeline ahead of global targets has driven sustained reforms across detection, treatment, prevention, nutrition support, and community engagement.

2 mins

Read all Stories from BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine Description:

Publisher: MM-Activ-Sci-Tech-Communication

Category: Business

Language: English

Frequency: Monthly

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a monthly magazine published by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communication in India. It is a leading biotechnology magazine in Asia, covering a wide range of topics related to the biotechnology industry, including:

* Biotechnology news and trends: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology news and trends from India and around the world.

* Biotechnology company profiles and interviews: The magazine profiles leading biotechnology companies in Asia and interviews their CEOs and other top executives.

* Biotechnology research and development: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology research and development from academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies.

* Biotechnology product reviews: The magazine reviews the latest biotechnology products and services.

* Biotechnology industry events: BioSpectrum Asia covers biotechnology industry events from around the world.

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest advances in biotechnology and their potential to impact the world around us.