Asia attracts 스피드 바카라 사이트 bio capital… Korea’s chance lies in ‘delivering results’

[by Yu, Suin] As global investment and innovation in biotechnology increasingly shift toward Asia, international experts have begun to forecast Korea’s potential emergence as a next-generation growth hub. At the 26th World Knowledge Forum’s ‘K-BIO Day & NIGHT,’ hosted by the Maeil Business Newspaper on September 11, David Flores, CEO of the global biotech media outlet BioCentury, emphasized this trend, stating, "Innovation in Asia is clearly evident. While China currently leads in global technology transactions, Korea is already within sight." He added, "Korea must devise a strategy to position itself as a prime 'destination' for global investment. To achieve this, the country must focus on securing early-stage data, producing measurable outcomes, fostering an environment conducive to talent acquisition, and establishing a robust global network."

◇Spotlight on Asia amid rising uncertainty... China excels in 'speed', 스피드 바카라 사이트 in 'innovativeness'

David Flores delivered a presentation entitled, ‘K-Bio's Competitiveness as Seen by the 스피드 바카라 사이트 Media" at the forum session moderated by Rhee Byung-geon, Chairman of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Korea Support Committee and Advisor to GI Innovation. In his remarks, Flores highlighted that shifting regulatory landscapes and heightened geopolitical uncertainty are prompting investors to place great emphasis on capital efficiency when making decisions.

Flores further observed that "the United States is currently experiencing its most unpredictable regulatory climate since the 1990s. It remains uncertain whether forthcoming regulatory standards will prioritize safety considerations over the imperative to address unmet medical needs in drug development. Moreover, it's uncertain whether the United States will continue to sustain a favorable environment for the pharmaceutical industry in light of its most-favored-nation policy."

"Geopolitical risks are also significant, as governments around the world increasingly regulate where companies can invest, develop assets, and conduct business, measures that greatly increase uncertainty," he further commented. "In addition, there is an ongoing debate in the United States over 'what constitutes real science,' creating a situation in which previously accepted benchmarks are no longer regarded as standards."

Flores explained that companies unable to develop assets, achieve key milestones, and validate hypotheses face significant barriers in attracting investment. "As uncertainty grows, the capital required to secure investment has increased compared to the past. The market is currently adjusting to an environment in which risk calculation has become increasingly complex," Flores remarked.

As market uncertainty intensifies, investors increasingly require more extensive data and demonstrable performance, compelling companies to expand their R&D investments in order to prove such evidence. Ultimately, higher levels of risk translate into a heavier capital burden for securing investment.

According to Flores, in the unlisted investment market, the ability to raise capital and achieve clinical milestones serves as a key indicator of corporate value. However, between 2023 and 2024, the number of companies successfully securing funds declined significantly, with fewer than half demonstrating value creation through data and investor validation.

Furthermore, despite the roughly USD 32.5 billion invested by biotech-focused investors over the past four years, the number of seed and early-stage R&D financing deals has continued to decline. "This trend reflects the extent to which risk is embedded throughout the entire system," Flores said. "If a company is overvalued, it must demonstrate its true worth, otherwise, it will inevitably lose its value."

Yet, uncertainty can present new opportunities. Flores pointed to the growing prevalence of the so-called ‘NewCo’ model, in which assets originally developed in China are transferred and subsequently ‘recapitalized’ in markets like the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. "Analysis of 199 East-West transactions since early 2023 confirmed that innovations originating in Asia have been highly valued in the 스피드 바카라 사이트 market," he said. "A substantial portion of these deals occurred between biotechnology companies, with transaction values amounting to tens of billions of dollars."

"Asia is now seeing the rise of next-generation assets that are attracting considerable 스피드 바카라 사이트 attention. Countries like China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore are not simply refining existing approaches but are developing innovative programs and entirely new modalities," Flores further added. "For example, technology transfer is occurring not only in oncology fields like antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), but also in therapeutic areas like obesity, neuroscience, and ophthalmology."

Flores observed that China currently holds a dominant position in technology transactions. He emphasized that the country’s regulatory framework enables the accelerated acquisition of clinical data, thereby providing Western companies with reliable evidence to support decision-making. The ability to generate data in a swift manner has served as a key driver in facilitating cross-border deals.

"Although the total number of deals in 스피드 바카라 사이트 and Japan is relatively small, the proportion of 'first-in-class' assets is notably high. In 스피드 바카라 사이트 especially, agreements span a wide range of disease areas and target classes, which increases the likelihood of identifying meaningful solutions to medical challenges," he emphasized.

◇K-Bio must establish itself as an investment 'destination'… Achieving 'visible results' through networking is key

Flores asserted that, for Korean biotech companies to establish themselves as 'preferred partners' in the 스피드 바카라 사이트 market, they must secure capital through performance-driven achievements, cultivate an enabling ecosystem, and strengthen their capacity for network expansion. He further emphasized that Korea must now strategically consider how to position itself as a true 'destination' for 스피드 바카라 사이트 investment.

"Although 스피드 바카라 사이트 shows strong capabilities in research, it must advance further toward 'innovation as technology.' More importantly, it needs to develop the willingness to relinquish control over its initial assets," Flores further commented. "Once you believe you have reached the stage where execution is possible, you must deliver outcomes (such as technology transfer). At the same time, it is essential to maintain the mindset that 'the next opportunity will come'."

"What truly matters is creating an 'environment where talent wants to live.' 스피드 바카라 사이트 benefits from a high concentration of scientists, while its urban scale, quality of life, and cultural offerings such as food make it an attractive place for drawing talent. This is comparable to why Boston in the U.S. has outpaced other hubs," he added. "Because of the dense cluster of companies and opportunities, even if a company you join fails (whether due to technology setbacks or corporate failure), you still sustain your career without leaving the city. I can sense that same ecosystemic energy emerging in 스피드 바카라 사이트."

Recalling the establishment of the 스피드 바카라 사이트 biotech conference BioEquity Europe in 2000, Flores explained, "At the time, the number of biotechnology firms in Europe had outpaced the capacity of the local financial ecosystem." He noted, "Even after 25 years, the central question remains 'how to secure adequate funding.' Whereas the prevailing solution in the past was 'to seek capital in the United States,' perceptions are now shifting, with increasing attention directed not only westward (the U.S.) but also eastward (Asia)."

"If we apply this concept to Asia, the central questions becomes, 'How can Asian innovation be made visible?' and 'Can Asia itself become a true destination?'" he emphasized. "스피드 바카라 사이트, in particular, must carefully consider how to position itself as a 'destination' in its own right."

Becoming a true destination is not merely a slogan but requires concrete action, such as consistently engaging abroad to build a 스피드 바카라 사이트 network, securing the kinds of data investors want, and, above all, creating success stories. "Investors do not simply rush to new markets, they concentrate on the problems they want to solve," Flores remarked. "For Korea to become a 스피드 바카라 사이트 investment destination, it must steadily build success through individual deals and deliver 'tangible results.'"

Conversely, BioCentury, in partnership with the 스피드 바카라 사이트 Biotechnology Industry Organization (스피드 바카라 사이트Bio) and the Maeil Business Newspaper, announced plans to host the ‘East-West Bio Summit’ in Seoul next March. "Although significant developments are taking place in Asia, they are not confined to China alone. That's why we believe we need to cultivate multiple hubs for international networking," Flores further explained. “It takes time for these hubs to become established. Asia’s story must be actively communicated and supported through the creation of networking opportunities.”