Business
BioSpectrum Asia
TARIFF WAR PUTS PHARMA IN CROSSHAIRS
While several other countries in the world have probably heaved a sigh of relief, though, for three months, China has launched an onslaught on the US in the bitter trade tariff war.
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Medtech education in APAC keeping pace with innovation
As medical devices grow smarter and more interconnected using AI, robotics and virtual reality, the need to train professionals is growing urgently. To position itself as a global powerhouse for medical technology, Asia Pacific (APAC) countries such as China, Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan are ramping up medtech education initiatives, recognising the critical role that talent pipelines, partnerships, and digital innovation play in advancing their healthcare economies. Let's take a closer look at the new initiatives being taken up by the APAC region for strengthening the medtech education sector amidst many challenges and opportunities.
7 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
"South Korea is rapidly emerging as a global biotech powerhouse"
Orum Therapeutics debuted on the Korea Exchange (KOSDAQ) on February 14, 2025, raising ₩50 billion in South Korea's first biopharma IPO of the year. With a focus on targeted protein degraders for cancer treatment, CEO S J Lee outlines how Orum is advancing and positioning itself at the forefront of oncology innovation. Edited excerpts;
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
University of Hyderabad and Flinders University cement partnership in healthcare
The University of Hyderabad (UoH), India and Australia's Flinders University have entered into a landmark strategic partnership, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Saisei Ventures introduces Executive Fellows Programme for Japan's biotech leadership pipeline
Saisei Ventures, a leading venture investment firm focused on advancing Japanese biotechnology and therapeutic innovations, has announced the launch of its Executive Fellows Programme, a structured mentorship initiative designed to strengthen the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs and executives in Japan.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Africa CDC unveils strategic plan to transform health financing
With external health aid to Africa expected to plunge by 70 per cent between 2021 and 2025, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a continent-wide strategy to radically transform how health systems are financed, putting African resources at the centre of African health.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore expands startup hub in Tokyo to propel deep tech innovation
NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), is expanding its presence in Japan with the launch of its second BLOCK71 office in Tokyo.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Swiss awards 5-Year grant to FIND for innovative malaria testing
The FIND Board has received notice of an award from the Swiss government of a grant to develop an innovative point-of-care rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for P. vivax malaria.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
The Rise of K-Biotech
After K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty, South Korea is now turning its focus to biotechnology. Through a series of government initiatives and industry investments, the country is working to position itself as a major player in the global biotech sector. From manufacturing capacity to research and development, Korea is laying the groundwork to become a significant force in the biotech industry.
7 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
commercial Shionogi inks deal for Cefiderocol in Australia and New Zealand
Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Link Medical Products, a part of Clinigen, the global specialty pharmaceutical services group, for the development and commercialisation of cefiderocol in Australia and New Zealand.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Sunflower Therapeutics announces commercial launch of Daisy Petal Perfusion Bioreactor System in Asia
US-based Sunflower Therapeutics has announced its first distribution agreement with PharmNXT Biotech, an Indian bioprocessing company.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
SuperFreeze appoints Troy Shortell as Co-CEO to drive innovation across Asia
SuperFreeze, an operator, developer, and owner of advanced cold storage facilities in Asia, has announced the appointment of Troy Shortell as Co-CEO.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Michael D. Patten steps in as Chief Strategy Officer of Harbour BioMed
Harbour BioMed, a US and China-based biopharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Michael D. Patten as Chief Strategy Officer.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
9 Latin American & Caribbean countries intensify efforts to curb obesity
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is working on a project with nine countries of the Americas on an initiative to strengthen actions against obesity in the region, which has the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the world.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Biocon Biologics and Civica collaborate to expand insulin Aspart access in US
Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a fully integrated global biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, and Civica, Inc., a not-for-profit generic drug and pharmaceutical company founded in 2018 to address and resolve life-saving drug shortages and affordability, have announced a strategic collaboration agreement to expand access and affordability of Insulin Aspart in the United States (US).
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Korea develops advanced AI model for accelerating therapeutic gene target discovery
Identifying therapeutic gene targets is essential for advancing personalised medicine and addressing the genetic basis of diseases.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
CEPI funds Nagasaki University's 'Nanoball' technology to help defeat Disease X
A new 'nanoball' vaccine platform developed by experts in Japan will be tested as part of new research, supported by Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), looking for promising tools that could help fight an infectious disease outbreak with pandemic potential.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
THE DRAGON ATTRACTS BIG PHARMA, BIG BUCKS
Multi-national pharma giant AstraZeneca's recent announcement to set up a global strategic R&D centre in Beijing is significant in multiple ways.
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Lunit announces leadership transition at Volpara, Craig Hadfield steps in as CEO
South Korea-based startup Lunit, a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, has announced the appointment of Craig Hadfield as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its subsidiary, Volpara Health Technologies.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Avecho and Sandoz announce $16 M deal to commercialise CBD for insomnia treatment in Australia
Avecho Biotechnology has signed an exclusive ten-year development and licensing agreement with Sandoz Group AG for the commercial rights to Avecho's Phase III cannabidiol (CBD) capsule for insomnia in Australia.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
"There are over 650 cell and gene therapy clinical trials underway in APAC region"
Catering to pharma companies globally and ensuring seamless transportation of critical healthcare products, World Courier, a global specialty logistics provider and a part of US-based contract research organisation Cencora, has recently appointed Michael Culme-Seymour as its new Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific (APAC).
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
New Zealand launches strategic approach to immunisation for next 5 years
The Health Ministry in New Zealand has launched a Strategic Approach to Immunisation 2025-2030 to provide a renewed vision and strategic direction for the immunisation system for the next five years.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
FibroGen sells China biz to AstraZeneca for $160 M
FibroGen, Inc. has announced the sale of its China subsidiary to AstraZeneca for approximately $160 million.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Call for collective action to address rising global burden of chronic diseases
The global pharmaceutical industry has issued a \"Call to Action\" urging collective action across the globe to tackle the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, mental health, and neurological disorders.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Samsung invests $10 M in US-based C2N Diagnostics to strengthen brain healthcare
US-based C2N Diagnostics, LLC, a specialty diagnostics company with a vision to bring Clarity Through Innovation, has announced a $10 million investment from Korea's Samsung C&T Corporation, Samsung Biologics, Samsung Bioepis, and Samsung Venture Investment Corporation.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Trump's tariff war threatens to disrupt pharma supply chain
After pulling US funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the US President Donald Trump has now announced a 25 per cent tariff on pharmaceutical imports. With countries like India and China being major suppliers to the U.S. market, this move raises serious concerns about the future of drug prices, supply chains, etc. Let's analyse how this could impact the global pharmaceutical industry.
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
GE HealthCare names new president and CEO for China biz
GE HealthCare (GEHC), a leading global healthcare solutions provider, has announced that Yihao Zhang, president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), China, will retire from the company effective July 1, 2025. Will Song, a Johnson & Johnson veteran for over 20 years, has been named GE HealthCare's new president and CEO, China, is joining the company on April 1, 2025, ahead of leading the region starting July 1 following Yihao's departure.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Indaptus Therapeutics extends patent portfolio in China, Japan, and Israel
US-based biotech firm Indaptus Therapeutics, Inc. has secured new patent approvals in China, Japan and Israel for its Decoy platform.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Indonesia and Saudi Arabia sign MoU to strengthen human resources within healthcare sector
Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Saudi Arabian Health Minister Fahd Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing human resource (HR) capacity of the healthcare sector through exchanges and training, as well as facilitating the exchange of digital vaccine certificates.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia April 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in India to expand access to robotic-assisted surgery
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, a leading institution in multi-specialty tertiary care in India, has joined hands with Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of roboticassisted surgery (RAS), to introduce resident surgeons to robotic-assisted surgical technology through the Intuitive Robotic Onboarding Programme and Education (I-ROPE).
1 min |