Weak broader stock market sentiment, topped with negative biotech industry news, weighs on Korean bioventure IPOs in the first quarter, with unicorn Voronoi withdrawing its IPO plan. But VC financing in the sector remains steady.

Financing for Korean bioventures and pharma firms remained strong this year amid ample liquidity and strong investor sentiment in the sector. SK Bioscience's IPO was the top fundraiser in 2021, followed by HK inno.N’s offering, while GI Innovation raised the most money from venture capital sources.

French pharma makes $180m equity investment in Owkin under collaboration targeting four cancer types. Pyramid gets global license to MPS1 precision cancer candidate from Voronoi.

Meeting all primary and secondary endpoints in a pair of pivotal trials, Brickell says sofpironium bromide gel will be ready for FDA filing in mid-2022. The topical is already approved in Japan as Ecclock.