Samsung Biologics, SK Biopharmaceuticals and Hanmi Pharmaceutical Named Among This Year's 'Top 10 Asia-Pacific Biotech Deals'
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- 2026-10-05 13:23:17
- Updated
- 2026-10-05 13:23:17
The Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KBIO) said on the 5th that three deals involving Korean companies were included among the 10 'Influential Asia-Pacific Biopharmaceutical Deals of 2026' selected by Biopharma APAC, a biopharmaceutical trade publication.
Biopharma APAC ranked mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and licensing agreements involving companies headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, evaluating them based on factors including deal size and symbolic significance.
The highest-ranked Korean deal was Samsung Biologics' acquisition of PolyPeptide Group, which placed sixth. Biopharma APAC gave high marks to Samsung Biologics' acquisition of a peptide contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for securing drug ingredients and supply chains amid a sharp increase in global demand for obesity and diabetes treatments.
SK Biopharmaceuticals' in-licensing of the epilepsy drug candidate 'Opakalim' ranked seventh. Biopharma APAC explained that the Korean company paid a large upfront payment comparable to those paid by Western pharmaceutical companies and proactively secured a U.S. asset before the release of key clinical results. It added that clinical results expected in the second half of this year will determine whether the investment was 'prescient.'
Hanmi Pharmaceutical's out-licensing of a drug candidate for metabolic diseases ranked ninth. Under the agreement, Hanmi Pharmaceutical will receive an upfront payment of $190 million from Genentech, a subsidiary of the Roche Group.
Although it did not make the top 10, Alteogen's licensing agreement with Novartis also drew Biopharma APAC's attention.
Meanwhile, the No. 1 deal was India's Sun Pharma's acquisition of U.S.-based Organon for $11.75 billion in an all-cash transaction.
[email protected] Jung Myung-jin, medical correspondent Reporter