"We need concerted action that brings together everyone's work to solve the CVD crisis"

In June 2023, the Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance (APAC CVD Alliance) was established to address the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in the region.

South Korea poised to become MEDICAL AI POWERHOUSE

When it comes to Al (Artificial Intelligence) in medical sciences - China and the USA dominate the field. However, South Korea has been steadily catching up. Home to renowned tech giants such as Samsung and LG Electronics, South Korea is positioning itself as a significant player in the medical Al domain. The country is making remarkable strides in deploying Al for medical imaging, diagnostics, drug development and healthcare. Let's look at South Korea's efforts in becoming a medical Al powerhouse.

Multipronged Approach Against Alzheimer's Disease

In July 2023, Eisai and Biogen received full traditional approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for their Alzheimer's drug Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb). This drug is the first to target the disease's progression rather than merely addressing its symptoms.

"India has huge talent in generics, chemistry, biology, developing novel vaccines but not in novel drug discovery"

“India has huge talent in areas such as generics, chemistry, biology, developing novel vaccines like mRNA, mDNA etc. but not in novel drug discovery” said Dr Anandkumar, Co-Founder & CEO, Bugworks Research.

BioSpectrum India honours Bio & Health Sciences stalwarts

Leaders from the Indian Bio & Health Sciences industry were felicitated by India’s leading Bio & Health Sciences publication, BioSpectrum for their outstanding contribution over the past two years.

Singapore Life Sciences Market: Salaries, Trends, and Expectations

With Singapore’s population projected to grow and age substantially by 2030, the government anticipates a significant increase in public health spending, reaching an estimated S$ 27 billion.

"The current challenge facing the life sciences R&D market is the sheer number of data generated and the ability to analyse"

A company previously affiliated with PerkinElmer, Inc., US-based Revvity, Inc was recently launched as an independent science-based solutions company that leverages innovation across life sciences and diagnostics to help improve lives everywhere.

Quality Concerns Hits APAC

India is not alone in witnessing adverse events of various drugs. Several countries such as Japan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and many more have experienced challenges such as contamination, efficacy, and safety issues (with serious adverse events), resulting in drug recalls in the past few years. As with any incident, an in-depth look will bring forth the root of the problem. Let's explore.

TAIWAN BIOMED INDUSTRY EYES $32B

Biomedicine is a top priority for Taiwan, with the government aiming to position the country as the leading hub for biomedical research and development in the Asia-Pacific region. By 2025, Taiwan aims to create 20 new medicines, introduce 80 high-value medical devices to the market, and elevate the biomedicine industry into a trillion-NT-dollar (approximately $32 billion) sector. The government has taken various initiatives, established biomedicines clusters and tweaked policies to achieve this goal. Has the effort paid off? How far has the country come to achieve its goals? Let's find out.

"Generic manufacturers will likely face increasing challenges such as pricing pressures driven by unbranding efforts"

Kelix Bio, a UAE-based biopharmaceutical company, has four assets in India, Egypt, Malta, and Morocco, and with combined revenues of over $200 million in 2022, the company is pursuing aggressive organic and inorganic growth in Middle East/North Africa (MENA). Kelix Bio’s focus on chronic therapy areas and specialty products in high-growth markets positions it for significant growth and a planned listing on a major exchange in 2026. The company recently completed four acquisitions including Indian firm Celon Labs, thereby expanding its portfolio in oncology, critical care, cytotoxic drug products and insulin analogues. In conversation with BioSpectrum Asia, Hocine Sidi Said, Chief Executive Officer, Kelix Bio and Chairman, Celon Labs, reveals the company’s growth plans, strategic partnerships and more. Edited excerpts;

"APAC has one of the fastest drug discovery innovation speeds in the world"

U S-headquartered West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, has recently inaugurated its newly advanced manufacturing facility in Jurong, Singapore. This is part of West's commitment to invest more than $350 million globally in 2023. Alagu Subramaniam, Senior Director, Sales and Commercial Operations, Asia Pacific, West Pharmaceutical Services shares more details about this new facility in a candid chat with BioSpectrum Asia. Edited excerpts;

"There is a significant opportunity for LC and multi-angle light scattering instruments to be used in CDMOs across India"

In February, Waters Corporation, a global leader in analytical instruments and software, entered into an agreement to acquire Wyatt Technology, a pioneer in innovative light scattering and field-flow fractionation instruments, software, accessories and services, for $1.36 billion in cash. BioSpectrum spoke with Dr Udit Batra, President and CEO, Waters Corporation about the acquisition and how the company will expand the product portfolio of Wyatt Technology in the Indian market. Edited excerpts:

Breaking Biotech M&A out of a Slump

Biotech mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have stagnated in recent times. The last big deal was in 2019 when American drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) acquired US-based Celgene for $74 billion. After a relatively unremarkable 2022 for biotech M&A, 2023 started with a flurry of billion-dollar acquisitions both globally and in the Asia-Pacific region. The latest examples include Astellas Pharma, a Japan-based company, acquiring American firm Iveric Bio for $4 billion in April 2023, and American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer proposing a $43 billion acquisition of US-based Seagen in March 2023. This surge of activity indicates an accelerating M&A landscape in the biotech industry. Let’s explore the industry’s expanding M&A landscape.

Ending the AMR Cycle

According to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) annual review of antibacterial agents in clinical and preclinical development, the R&D pipeline for new antibacterial medicines is insufficient to tackle the challenge of increasing emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the availability and access to new and existing antibiotics, including generics, is a challenge for countries of all income levels. The Global Leaders Group on AMR recently reiterated that the world faces a serious antibiotic pipeline and access crisis that requires innovative financing measures.

"Urgent action is needed worldwide to reduce AMR and protect our existing antibiotics"

The Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (AAMRNet) is Australia's leading multi stakeholder expert group formed to address the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on human health. Andrew Bowskill is the CoChair of the Network and shares his insights on Asia's efforts in tackling the silent pandemic of AMR, the challenges and the way forward. Edited excerpts;

"New technologies are required to fill the gap and reverse resistance to existing antibiotics"

Established in 2021, Lixa is an Australian biotechnology company developing revolutionary, broadly applicable and scalable solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The firm is developing NeoX, a disruptive, proprietary, antibiofilm platform technology to resolve recalcitrant, resistant and recurring bacterial infections across human, animal and environmental health. Dr Maud Eijkenboom, CEO, Lixa highlights the state of AMR fight in Asia and why investing in newer technologies such as biofilms is crucial to defeat AMR. Edited excerpts;

"Key strategy of ICARS is to develop and test context-specific solutions for AMR mitigation"

Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, India and Vice Chair, International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), Denmark highlights the importance of ‘One Health’ approach to effectively tackle the threat of superbugs in the APAC region. Edited excerpts;

TECH-POWERED WAR ON AMR

The consistent increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is threatening to undo many of the gains of modern medicine. The situation is particularly alarming in the Asia Pacific region, which could witness around 50 per cent of global annual AMR-related mortality by 2050. Around 62 per cent of antibiotics in the region are used without prescriptions, indicating inappropriate usage and significantly increasing the risk of AMR strain emergence, according to a report from LEK Consulting Group. All this makes the region an epicentre of AMR and its consequences. In response to the growing threat, countries in the region have taken steps to tackle the AMR threat. These include a National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR), antimicrobial stewardship efforts, diagnostics surveillance etc. However, the million-dollar question is whether these steps will be effective and enough. Let’s find out.

Amaroq, GeneCrypt to supercharge cancer research with new levels of health data privacy

Start-Up News

MedTech Innovator APAC picks 24 startups for annual accelerator prog

Start-Up News

Cyteph secures $1.5 M for brain cancer immunotherapy trial

Start-Up News

Scivita Medical opens R&D, manufacturing plant in Suzhou Industrial Park

Start-Up News

Colorcon invests in new pharma-based film coating plant in Malaysia

Company News

Samsung Biologics, Pfizer partner for long-term manufacturing of biosimilars portfolio

Company News

Lotus Pharma, Alvogen and NRx Pharma to commercialise NRX-101 for S-TRBD

Finance News

InDex Pharma inks $50 M deal with Viatris Japan

Finance News

Medtronic to acquire wearable insulin patch maker EOFlow for $738 M

Medtronic, Ireland headquartered healthcare technology firm, has entered into a set of definitive agreements to acquire South Korea-based EOFlow Co, manufacturer of the EOPatch device — a tubeless, wearable and fully disposable insulin delivery device.

Chugai to invest over ¥ 50B to build new biomanufacturing facilities in Japan

Japan-based Chugai Pharmaceutical has announced its decision to construct a new bio active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) manufacturing building and injection building in the Utsunomiya Plant of Chugai Pharma Manufacturing, a member of the Chugai Group.

Australia injects $50 M to drive innovative models of primary care

The Australian government is strengthening Medicare with a new $50 million research initiative to drive innovation in primary care.

Taiwan, Canada reach deal on public health cooperation

Taiwan and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation on health affairs and boost the efficiency of joint programmes.