While keeping its policy focus mainly on controlling the pandemic situation, South Korea is also increasing R&D grants to support the development of innovative drugs with global blockbuster potential through the launch of renewed and better funded Korea Drug Development Fund.

Plus deals involving SELLAS/3D Medicines, Kyowa Kirin/InveniAI, JW/Voronoi, Y-mAbs/Takeda, Horizon Discovery/Sanyou, Sentinel Oncology/PharmaEngine

Novel antifungal T-2307, discovered by FUJIFILM Toyama, works by selectively disrupting mitochondrial function. Excelra and Maruho team up to repurpose existing drugs.

Tender deadline for Roche acquisition of Spark pushed back to 30 October; 21.4% of Spark shares tendered so far. Vertex further diversifies with fourth deal of 2019 – an RNA-targeted collaboration with Ribometrix.