SK Discovery Group is reportedly evaluating the prospect of investing in GI Cell, a company at the forefront of developing CAR-NK cell therapies. Investment banking sources revealed on December 14th that SK Discovery is in the process of reviewing a potential investment in GI Cell. However, the exact size of the investment remains unconfirmed at this stage.

Previously, SK Chemical had been exploring investment opportunities in GI Cell for acquisition purposes for approximately two years. However, due to the sale issue within SK Chemical's pharmaceutical division in September, reports suggest that SK Discovery has taken over the investment review.

According to a biotech industry insider, "SK Chemical had indeed been considering an investment in GI Cell for the past two years, even conducting due diligence through global Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)."

They further explained, "With the restructuring of SK Chemical's pharmaceutical division coinciding with the bioinvestment, the responsibility for the investment review has shifted to SK Discovery Group. While there are no specific details confirmed at this time, SK Discovery is displaying keen interest in investing in GI Cell."

Established as a separate holding company within the SK Group in December 2017, SK Discovery has primarily functioned as a pure holding firm, concentrating on exploring new investment opportunities over the past six years. Operating through subsidiaries such as SK Chemical, SK Plasma, and SK Bioscience, SK Discovery actively engages in bio-related businesses.

Of particular significance is the establishment, in December of the previous year, of the Bio-Strategy and Investment Division within SK Discovery. This move aimed to formulate strategic plans and foster synergies among the bio-related companies under SK Discovery's umbrella. As part of this initiative, Junghoon Kim, previously the Research and Development Center Director at SK Chemical, was appointed as the Head of the Bio-Strategy and Investment Division.

The Bio-Strategy and Investment Division at SK Discovery was established to devise growth strategies, encourage collaboration, and explore novel opportunities among its bio-related subsidiaries.

GI Cell, an immunotherapy developer, possesses expertise spanning the entire spectrum of developing and manufacturing natural killer (NK) and T-cell therapies through its 'Immune Cell Expander Platform.' The company is currently advancing T.O.P. NK, Nano NK, and Drone Treg cell therapies. Recognized for its distinct technological capabilities in the investment sector, GI Cell has attracted cumulative investments totaling $92.4 million as of the first half of this year. In 2021 alone, the company raised $56 million through Series B and strategic investments.

A prominent figure in the investment sector highlighted, "It's been understood that SK Chemical had been contemplating an investment in GI Cell for acquisition purposes over the past two years." They added, "Presently, it's known that, as a subsidiary of SK Discovery, SK Bioscience is conducting the investment review. Finalizing the investment by year-end seems improbable, and it appears that the investment review will likely extend into the following year."