TPD Platforms Boost Biotech Investment Sentiment in December 2024
Targeted Protein Degrader (TPD) Technology Leads the Way in Reviving Investor Confidence
In December 2024, several unlisted South Korean biotech companies successfully attracted significant venture capital (VC) investments, underscoring renewed investor confidence in the biotech sector. Analysts attribute this surge to advancements in Targeted Protein Degrader (TPD) platform technology.
Key players like Ubix Therapeutics, Pin Therapeutics, and Rznomics closed late-stage funding rounds, securing Series C and pre-IPO investments. According to industry sources, these companies have laid strong foundations with proprietary platforms and promising pipelines.
Ubix Therapeutics, a TPD-focused drug developer, finalized a pre-IPO equity investment worth $17.5 million. Known for its proprietary platform, Ubix selectively degrades disease-related proteins, targeting refractory cancers. Among its eight pipeline candidates, UBX 303-1, a treatment for B-cell lymphoma, is in Phase 1 clinical trials approved by both the U.S. FDA and Korea’s MFDS.
In July 2023, Ubix signed a $102 million licensing agreement with Yuhan Corporation for UBX-103, a prostate cancer treatment, showcasing the company’s global potential.
Pin Therapeutics raised $14 million in Series C funding, driven by its PinE3 platform for discovering novel E3 ligases. The company plans to use the funds to seek IND approval for PIN-5018, a CK1α-selective degrader, in both the U.S. and South Korea by 2025.
Rznomics, an RNA-based gene therapy developer, secured $14 million in pre-IPO funding. These funds will accelerate R&D efforts while strengthening the company’s financial stability.
Meanwhile, Bi-Chedam, a developer of natural product-based pharmaceuticals, received pre-Series A funding from South Korean institutional investors, and Promedigen attracted $1.4 million in strategic investment from SugenTech.
Experts believe venture capitalists are increasingly drawn to TPD biotech firms due to their growth potential and technological achievements. A representative from a TPD company noted, “The investment market acknowledges the strides made by TPD developers, overcoming earlier skepticism about TPD technology. Upcoming interim Phase 3 efficacy results from U.S.-based TPD pioneer Arvinas are further heightening expectations for the sector.”
With global momentum and innovative platforms, South Korean biotech firms are well-positioned to lead the next wave of breakthroughs in drug development.