After the financing draught suffered by Korean bioventures in 2023, it now seems the VC market is poised for a recovery as investors shift attention again to the healthcare sector, with a spotlight on AI-based solutions and device firms.

A number of recent significant transactions in the South Korean biopharma space indicate some emerging trends as the sector develops and expands internationally. Scrip takes a look at the over-arching themes in M&A activity over the past few years and how these may differ from those being observed globally.

CEO Joaquin Duato said J&J is agnostic on size when it comes to business development but has generally found more value creation in earlier-stage deals.

Korean confectionery group Orion has become the biggest shareholder in compatriot ADC specialist LegoChem Biosciences, in a decisive step to move into the biotech sector as a new growth engine. For LegoChem, the alliance provides a friendly strategic partner and should enable a boost in R&D spending as it seeks to aggressively progress clinical trials and become a global player.