While Chinese bioventures continue to surge ahead in immuno-oncology R&D, NeoImmuneTech says its long-acting human IL-7 in combination with pembrolizumab shows Phase IIa clinical efficacy in gastrointestinal tumors. Another Korean firm, GI Innovation, says its bispecific fusion protein/pembrolizumab combo shows synergistic effects in solid tumors at Phase I/II.

AnGes has terminated R&D work on a DNA vaccine for COVID-19 and will now look at intranasal candidates with a US partner. Although the original project received funding from the Japanese government, a spike in related costs caused the Japanese firm's net loss to triple last year, and the decision represents the latest in a string of pipeline setbacks.

The Korean firm’s DNA vaccine has shown promise in a Phase II cervical cancer trial in combination with Merck’s Keytruda, prompting the firm to tout potential in the difficult PD-1 negative group.

Yuhan’s chief scientific officer shares why the leading Korean pharma firm is stepping up its open innovation activities and how this is helping to transform the company into a more global and R&D-based enterprise.