May 6, 2026 | Korea’s First CAR-T, Major AI Investment, and High-Value Royalty Deal

Issue #34 · May 06

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From Members to Global: Covering the Entire Bio Industry

Happy Wednesday! Korea's first homegrown CAR-T approval, a major AI investment, and a high-value royalty deal are leading the week 💌

Our newsletter now features a refreshed format — making it easier to track Korea’s global expansion, innovation trends, and industry performance at a glance!

THIS WEEK:

Curocell’s Rimqarto Becomes Korea’s First Approved CAR-T Therapy

Curocell’s “Rimqarto” has become the first domestically approved product in Korea’s personalized gene therapy market, which had previously been dominated by imported treatments. — HIT News

Gov't to inject $380.6 mil. into Korean AI startup Upstage Financial authorities said Sunday they approved a 560 billion-won investment in Upstage, a local AI startup, marking the second direct investment by the Korea National Growth Fund. — The Korea Times

Alteogen Secures 4-6% Royalty Rate in Biogen SC Formulation Deal Alteogen will receive royalties in the range of 4% to 6% of net sales from the subcutaneous formulation conversion technology license agreement signed with Biogen in the United States. — The Asia Business Daily

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

MOU Signing Ceremony

On April 29, 2026, four of Korea's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations, including KoreaBIO, signed an MOU, officially launching the "K-Pharma-Bio One Team" initiative!

Here's what's happening across Korea's bio industry!

WHAT'S HAPPENING

KoreaBIO IN THE NEWS

∎ K-Pharmaceutical and Bio Industries Launch Into ‘BIO USA’ with Record Scale… Four Organizations Sign MOU for Marketing Cooperation - AVING
∎ Four Korean pharma, bio bodies forge 'one team' to accelerate global push - Aju Press

> More

KOREA GOES GLOBAL

∎ Samsung Bioepis Expands Open Innovation Partnership With China’s Atlatl Innovation Center - Aju Press
∎ Korea's IVI signs strategic partnership with Hilleman Laboratories to advance vaccine & biologics development - BioSpectrum Asia
∎ Korean UAV Startups Are Rethinking ASEAN Expansion Through Local Execution Layers - KoreaTechDesk

∎ Korea, Uzbekistan Step Up Strategic Partnership in Infrastructure and Critical Minerals - Global Korea Post

INNOVATION & TRENDS

∎ Agricultural Films to Be Replaced by Biodegradable Products Made from Fallen Leaves - The Asia Business Daily

∎ AI system manages Jeju pig farms to improve productivity and cut emissions - DongA Science

∎ Korea launches direct delivery of medical supplies for rare disease patients - Korea Biomedical Review

∎ South Korea Health and Wellness Market Is Expanding with Lifestyle and Self-Care Trends - Vocal.media

GROWTH & PERFORMANCE

∎ GI Innovation files Korean patent for next-generation PAH candidate ‘GI-214’ - The Bio

∎ Approvals of AI medical devices jump 41% last year - Korea Biomedical Review
∎ Boehringer Reports Phase 3 Obesity Drug Data, Spotlight on Korean Partners - The Elec

KoreaBIO MEMBER NEWS

#New Members

#Members Only

ArthRegen

Research and development of cell therapies👨🏻‍🔬

2026 2rd CEO Wine Affinity

An exclusive networking program supporting experience sharing and collaboration among KoreaBIO member companies! 🍷

∎ SMT BIO is expanding its allogeneic NK cell–based immunotherapy clinical infrastructure to Busan, aiming to reduce the Seoul-centered disparity in advanced regenerative medicine access.

∎ Korea approves first homegrown CAR-T therapy as MFDS clears Curocell’s Rimqarto Injection.

> See more members

WHAT'S COMING UP?