15 Biotech Ventures Braving the Investment Chill Gather in One Place... Seeking 'Investment and M&A Partners' [fn Market Watch]

[Financial News]  Biotech ventures have recently been changing their funding strategies.
As the contraction in the investment market continues, they are exploring not only simple equity investments but also co-development with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, technology transfers (licensing), strategic investments and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) at the same time.
The Korea Drug Research Association held the 'Second Promising Biotech Venture and Startup Investment Forum of 2026' on the 22nd at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul. About 150 people from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, securities firms, asset management firms and venture capital firms reportedly attended.
Fifteen biotech ventures in fields including AI-based drug discovery, single-cell immune precision analysis, next-generation therapeutic technologies, biomarkers and precision medicine, and tissue regeneration participated in the forum.
AI Cloud, Atometrix, Noe Eottae, AImmuneLink, Curiosa Biosciences, Threebrooks Therapeutics, Yep Bio, Kloso Labs, Stemden, GEMCRO, GBIOLOGICS, CanTherapy, UntBio, Biobytes and Wells Care presented at investor relations (IR) sessions.
In particular, the investment banking industry says the criteria for biotech investments have become considerably stricter. Investors now look beyond expectations for pipeline growth to technological differentiation, commercialization potential and the possibility of attracting follow-on investment. As a result, biotech ventures are also broadening their funding channels through strategic investors, co-development and licensing rather than waiting solely for financial investors.
“It has recently become difficult for biotech companies to attract investment simply by saying that their technology is good,” an official in the venture investment industry said. “There is a strong tendency to check who will take on subsequent clinical trials and whether the company has a partner that can lead to a technology transfer or co-development deal.”
“From a venture's standpoint, it has become more important to partner with a pharmaceutical company that can immediately help prove the value of its pipeline than to raise funds at a higher valuation,” another biotech investment industry official explained. “If a co-development or licensing deal is concluded, it becomes an important track record for attracting investment later.”
Cho Heon-je, head of the Korea Drug Research Association's R&D Promotion Headquarters, said, “As selective investment by the market continues, it is becoming increasingly important for biotech ventures and startups to prove their technological differentiation and commercialization potential.”
Meanwhile, the Korea Drug Research Association plans to continue identifying promising biotech ventures and connecting them with pharmaceutical and biotech companies and investment institutions. It will support them in turning these connections into tangible business outcomes through investment, joint research and development, licensing, strategic cooperation and M&A.


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