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 WuXi AppTec/OXGENE, Oscotec/Beatica, ReViral/LianBio, Wugen/HCW Biologics, Starton/Haisco, Shanghai Junshi/AstraZeneca, HitGen/Uppthera, Bridge/LegoChem, Macrogen/Lifex, BeiGene/Boston Immune

Although there weren’t many large-scale partnerships as in previous years, Korean biopharma firms were involved in a broad range of deals across diverse therapeutic areas in 2020, with ADCs, oncology and domestic alliances emerging as key trends. 

The termination of a major idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis collaboration between Bridge Biotherapeutics and Boehringer Ingelheim is a blow to both companies in an increasingly competitive indication, but the Korean biotech says it's still committed to further development of the autotaxin inhibitor and will work out a future development plan.