VC Investment in South Korea’s biopharma sector drops again as investors continue to shy away amid higher interest rates and reduced out-licensing deals.

While neither company reported new data from their ongoing trials at AASLD, the firm’s competing THRβ agonists are viewed as leading lights in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis competition.

With Akero’s FGF21 analog showing ability to reduce fibrosis and resolve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, some analysts think classmate BIO89-100 could yield a better overall profile. NASH data are starting to pour in.

Looking ahead to lengthy, expensive Phase III NASH studies, Akero looks to tap public markets for $200m. Analysts call EFX’s Phase IIb data potentially best-in-class.