BioSpectrum Asia Magazine - BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024

In this issue

APAC Bullish on Biosupplier Revenue
Amidst Global Uncertainty The Asia-Pacific (APAC) market plays a
crucial role for global biosupplier companies, contributing anywhere from 15 per cent to 25 per cent of their total global revenues. Between 2021 and 2023, the bioprocessing market was one of the strongest performers, growing at about 18 per cent annually due to COVID-19-driven demand. However,2023 was a challenging year for biosuppliers, with the decline in COVID-19-related spending and various global events impacting business, resulting in plummeting revenue for most firms.
While the bioprocessing sector saw impressive growth between 2021 and 2022, post-COVID-19 normalisation and rising financing costs have led to flat growth from 2022 to 2023. Despite this, the market is expected to rebound over the next two years, with an average growth forecast of around 9 per cent from 2023 to 2027, according to a report from Clearstate.

New Zealand introduces new Mental Health Bill

The Health Ministry in New Zealand has announced that a new Mental Health Bill has been introduced and is now publicly available.

1 min

Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute in Hong Kong to initiate full operations in 2024

The Health Bureau (HHB), Hong Kong government, has announced that after months of preparation with full effort since the Chief Executive put forward in the Policy

1 min

India's CDSCO becomes Affiliate Member of International Medical Device Regulators Forum

To achieve global alignment in its medical device regulatory system, enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industry, and boost transnational prominence, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, applied for Affiliate Membership in the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) in 2024.

1 min

Singapore seizes opportunity to transform healthcare through technology

In response to the convergence of three major developments, namely genomics, artificial intelligence (AI) and the focus on preventive care, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore is seizing the opportunity to transform healthcare through technology.

1 min

China's CanSino receives over $17 M to accelerate polio vaccine development

China-based CanSino Biologics Inc. has received an additional financial boost, securing a grant exceeding $17 million to propel its recombinant poliovirus vaccine (VLP-Polio) project forward.

1 min

Japan's Astellas and UK-based AviadoBio ink billion dollar deal for gene therapy targeting frontotemporal dementia

UK-based AviadoBio and Japan's Astellas Pharma Inc. have announced an exclusive option and licence agreement for AVB-101, an investigational, AAV-based gene therapy in Phase 1/2 development for patients with frontotemporal dementia with progranulin mutations (FTD-GRN).

1 min

Caliway Biopharma raises $206 M in Taiwan's biotech largest IPO

Caliway Biopharmaceuticals has announced the successful completion of its initial public offering (IPO) and up-listing from the Emerging Stock Market to the Taipei Exchange.

1 min

SK bioscience invests $3 M in US-based FinaBio specialising in next-gen conjugate vaccine technology

South Korea-based SK bioscience has signed an agreement to acquire a stake in Fina Biosolutions, based in the US, by investing $3 million.

1 min

Sanyou Bio opens new 10,000-sqm R&D facility in Shanghai

Sanyou Bio recently announced a move into its new 10,000-square-metre R&D building at Shanghai headquarters.

1 min

Cytiva opens first Innovation Hub in Korea

Cytiva, a global life sciences leader, has opened its first Innovation Hub in Korea, located in the Songdo Bio-cluster in Incheon.

1 min

Sunway Healthcare Group inks MoU with Medtronic to advance medical care in Malaysia

Sunway Healthcare Group from Malaysia and Medtronic have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in their collaborative journey to advance medical care, and underscoring a shared vision of developing solutions to tackle some of the most pressing healthcare challenges.

1 min

Taiwan's Pharmosa Biopharm expands collaboration with Liquida

Liquidia Corporation, a US-based biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary diseases, and Taiwan-based Pharmosa Biopharm have amended the current exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialisation of L606, an inhaled, sustained-release formulation of treprostinil currently being evaluated in a clinical trial for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD).

1 min

Alpha Fusion accelerates astatine-based drug discovery with Series B funding

Alpha Fusion, Inc., working on research outcomes from Osaka University and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) OPERA QISS programme, has raised a total of ¥1.02 billion through a Series B funding round.

1 min

India-Australia partnership to build bio innovation corridor

La Trobe University, Australia and India's Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a Bio Innovation Corridor to support the development of research and innovation.

1 min

Singapore launches accelerator programme for startups in digital health innovation

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Medicine Digital Advanced Technology Accelerator (DATA) has launched its Digital Accelerator Programme for startups in the field of digital health innovation.

1 min

Mediwhale secures $12 M to enhance cardiovascular and metabolic disease management

Mediwhale, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered health diagnostics startup based in South Korea, has announced $12 million series A2 investment.

1 min

WHO and multilateral development banks kick off $1.5 B primary health financing platform

Execution is starting under the new Health Impact Investment Platform on the first country health investment plans turning original commitment into operational reality.

1 min

WHO adds HPV vaccine for single-dose use

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin (developed by Xiamen Innovax Biotech) has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule.

1 min

APAC Bullish on Biosupplier Revenue by Jan Amidst Global Uncertainty

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) market plays a crucial role for global biosupplier companies, contributing anywhere from 15 per cent to 25 per cent of their total global revenues.

10+ mins

Digital Innovations in Diabetes Care

Diabetes affects 537 million people globally and is a major contributor to the non-communicable disease NCD) epidemic. Technological tools such as continuous glucose monitors CGMs) and mobile apps are redefining diabetes management. On this World Diabetes Day November 14, 2024), we explore how digital health is transforming diabetes care and the challenges associated with its integration into healthcare systems.

5 mins

Targeted Transformation of Diabetes Care in India

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) about 63 per cent of people with diabetes say that the fear of developing diabetes-related complications affects their well-being.

5 mins

"To achieve our 'Skilled India' vision, we'll train a large number of individuals quickly and to high standards"

Jayant Singh Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, in an interaction with BioSpecturm in Hyderabad, shares his insights on the various initiatives taken up by the Centre for skill development programmes, boosting self-employment.

5 mins

"Moving forward, cancer may not be a death threat but a manageable disease with strong control"

Cartherics Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based biotechnology company led by renowned stem cell biologist and IVF pioneer Prof Alan Trounson, is , focusing on a portfolio of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell products.

4 mins

"Australia is a great place to do business as we have a superb research community, great partners and very experienced clinical trial units"

Noxopharm Limited, an Australian biotech company, is making strides in the fight against cancer and inflammation with its innovative technology platforms, Chroma and Sofra.

5 mins

"The Vietnam Institute is set to play a key role in fostering regional collaborations as a hub for knowledge exchange & partnerships"

The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute, officially launched in June 2024, aims to enhance Vietnam’s scientific capacity and contribute to the country’s economic and social development.

5 mins

Managing Delicate Role of Donors for Drug Development and Research

A sustainable, active, and diverse donor pool is more important than ever as the frontiers of medical research continue to push the envelope.

5 mins

National University of Singapore and Imperial College London establish major research partnership

National University of Singapore (NUS) and Imperial College London have announced a new partnership to strengthen research collaborations.

1 min

University of Hong Kong to establish Global Innovation Centre

To consolidate Hong Kong's leading position in basic research, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is planning to establish the Global Innovation Centre (GIC), an upstream technology research facility, in Pokfulam.

1 min

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 to trio for cracking code for protein structures

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024, with one half to David Baker, University of Washington, US for computational protein design; and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind, London, UK; and John M. Jumper, Google DeepMind, London, UK for protein structure prediction.

1 min

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun win 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovery of microRNA

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

1 min

Clarity Pharma promotes Michelle Parker to CEO

Australia-based Clarity Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Michelle Parker as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from October 11, 2024.

1 min

Integris appoints medtech veteran Probir Das as new CEO

Integris Healthcare, a global diversified medical technology company, has announced the appointment of Probir Das as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will join effective November 2024 and will be based in New Delhi.

1 min

Dr Makoto Sugita steps in as President of Nxera Pharma Japan

Nxera Pharma Co., formerly known as Sosei Group or Sosei Heptares, has announced the appointment of Dr Makoto Sugita, as President of Nxera Pharma Japan, and Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Nxera Pharma.

1 min

India develops portable ultrasound scanner for sports injury diagnosis

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an indigenous portable Point-of-CareUltrasound (POCUS) Scanner for sports injury diagnosis and management.

1 min

Spider venom heart drug moves to clinical trials in Australia

A University of Queensland (UQ)-led project in Australia to develop the first-ever drug to treat heart attack and protect donor hearts will move to human clinical trials, after receiving $17.8 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

1 min

Singapore designs novel gene therapy offering hope for epilepsy patients

Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore are working on a therapy that holds potential in treating patients with epilepsy, a neurological disorder defined by recurring seizures due to abnormal brain activity.

1 min

Eppendorf brings CO2 incubator shaker with integrated 180 °C sterilisation routine

Eppendorf has announced the launch of a CO2 incubator shaker with integrated 180 °C sterilisation routine.

1 min

Waters introduces new bioseparations tools to improve development of RNA-based vaccines using LC-MS analysis

US-based Waters Corporation has introduced a comprehensive set of sample preparation enzymes, reagents, and waters_connect software that simplify sequence and modification confirmation of large molecule RNA therapeutics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis.

1 min

Singleron and Bioscreen to enhance access to single cell multi-omics solutions for Indian researchers

Singleron Biotechnologies, a leading innovator in single cell multi-omics solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Bioscreen, a renowned distributor of advanced life science products in India.

1 min

Promega unveils GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager for illuminating protein dynamics in real time

US-based Promega Corporation, a life-sciences research partner dedicated to providing intuitive tools that empower scientists to innovate, has unveiled the new GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager.

1 min

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BioSpectrum Asia Magazine Description:

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.