Polyhexanide, from SIFI, could become the first approved treatment for acanthamoeba keratitis, while aflibercept could become the first biosimilar version of Eylea in the EU.

After record venture capital activity around South Korean biotechs last year, the strong investment interest has persisted so far this year, with an increased number of companies receiving large-scale funding as the promising sector emerges amid the pandemic.

Korea’s Alteogen believes that formulation patents granted in the EU, US and Japan as well as a pending process patent may offer it a first-mover advantage on biosimilar aflibercept. The firm has just completed a Phase I trial for its proposed rival to Eylea.

Plus deals involving Astellas/Actinium, Sosei/PharmEnable, Aadi/EOC Pharma, BeiGene/Strand, Chi-Med/Inmagene, Alteogen/Intas, Sosei/AbbVie, Y-Biologics/3D Medicines.