Despite increasing competition, Celltrion has leapt into China's growing biosimilar market through a joint venture with Nan Fung, and another draw could lie in the biologics contract manufacturing potential in the country’s developing Greater Bay Area.

Janssen has returned the rights to an obesity/diabetes drug to originator Hanmi, after Phase II studies failed to achieve glycemic control targets and reflecting development difficulties in the sector. This is the fourth time for the Korean firm to face a U-turn of licensed out compounds. 

After probing pharmacokinetic data flaws in the first US Phase III study for its gene therapy Engensis, Korea's Helixmith concludes that these stemmed from clinical operation issues. As a result, it admits a failure to meet the primary endpoint but is still moving forward with new trials given signals of efficacy and safety in an extended study.