Several innovation-based Korean bioventures, including GI Innovation, S.Biomedics and Curocell, have managed to launch IPOs in 2023 despite prolonged depressed market sentiment and tougher stock exchange rules.

Recent sizable out-licensing deals with global big pharma firms are raising hopes of a recovery in Korean biopharma alliances and also point to possible changes in deal structures towards international norms.

Neuroscience is increasingly a focus for the Swiss pharma giant, and it believes it can stay ahead in multiple sclerosis with fenebrutinib, while making up lost ground in with two key candidates in Alzheimer’s disease.

Safety signals were the most common cause of discontinued candidates in the breakthrough therapy designation program in 2023.