South Korean conglomerate SK Group continues its cross-border acquisitions of contract manufacturers, this time of French biologics specialist Yposkesi, marking a new push into the gene and cell therapy sector as it looks to become a global leader in the production of both innovative chemical drugs and biologics.

Vaccine specialist SK Bioscience is set to launch potentially South Korea’s biggest biopharma IPO next month on the back of a growing premium vaccine business, new opportunities in COVID-19 vaccines and its contract manufacturing operations.

Novartis, Arvelle, AstraZeneca and Incyte are among a raft of drug sponsors who should find out shortly whether the European Medicines Agency will vote in favor of approving their products for use in the EU.

Following a successful offering by Prestige BioPharma in January, investors will keep their focus on another upcoming major listing by the SK Group's specialist vaccines arm SK Bioscience, which is likely to set the tone for the South Korean biopharma IPO market this year.