Bukwang and subsidiary Contera have become the latest to fail to progress a novel Parkinson's therapy to late-stage trials after a Phase II miss, although several other Korean firms remain in the race for the challenging indication, albeit mainly in Phase I-II.

An unexpected merger between Korea's Hanmi Pharm Group and chemical group OCI may raise eyebrows in terms of likely synergies, but analysts are viewing the planned transaction positively in terms of future cash flow. However, resistance from some members of Hanmi's founder family may mean a possible leadership struggle at the pharma company.

An unexpected merger between Korea's Hanmi Pharm Group and chemical group OCI may raise eyebrows in terms of likely synergies, but analysts are viewing the planned transaction positively in terms of future cash flow. However, resistance from some members of Hanmi's founder family may mean a possible leadership struggle at the pharma company.

Plus deals involving Bristol Myers Squibb/Avidity, Aexon/NLS, Boehringer Ingelheim/Phenomic AI, AnaptysBio/Centessa and Biodexa/Adhera/Melior.