http://www.thebell.co.kr/free/Content/ArticleView.asp?key=202207081000354600106360&svccode=
The Bell compiled the new drug development funding details (by payment date) of domestic unlisted pharmaceutical/biotech companies through the first half of this year, categorized by modality (R&D technology) theme. A total of 46 companies raised KRW 881.8 billion across 19 technology themes.
Companies with technologies for inhibiting antigens and specific cells (inhibitors) secured the most funding. During this period, a total of 9 companies (Biopharmsolutions, Spark Biopharma, Immunodesigners, Autotelic Bio, Kine Sciences, First Biotherapeutics, RudaCure, Etnova Therapeutics, and Nextgen Bioscience) raised KRW 163.7 billion.
Inhibitors are a traditional modality with a development history of over 40 years. They were first commercialized in 2001 when Novartis developed Gleevec, a chronic myelogenous leukemia treatment based on BCR-ABL inhibition (EGFR inhibitor) mechanism. In the 2010s, interest in inhibitors waned as more technology-intensive modalities took center stage. Recently, they have been drawing renewed attention due to their lower development costs and safety proven by long-term research.
