On September 25, 2025, the ACCESS Asia Partnering Forum successfully launched its first online showcase: ACCESS Asia Partnering Forum (YAFO) – 100 Innovators to Watch. ACCESS Asia serves as a bridge between the region’s most promising biotech companies and international pharma, investors, and strategic partners. Through digital showcases, live roadshows, and dedicated partnering events at JPM Week and the BIO International Convention, ACCESS Asia brings Asia’s fastest-growing biotech pipelines onto the global stage.
The following is a summary of the speakers’ presentations:
Dr. Yu of Haomai Medtech opened the forum with the release of its landmark MNC Analysis Report, a nearly 1,000-page study covering 17 multinational pharmaceutical companies. Recognized as one of the most comprehensive analyses of its kind, the report examined launched products, late-stage pipelines, first-in-class opportunities, dealmaking trends, and patent landscapes, while also mapping corporate strategies across the past, present, and future. Drawing on extensive datasets, Haomai’s consulting expertise, and input from industry specialists, the report provided in-depth insights into competitive dynamics and future opportunities for both R&D and business development.
Dr. Xiangdong Qu of QureBio focused on the mechanism of action behind the company’s potential best-in-class PD-1/IL-2 bispecific antibody, while also reviewing competitor programs in the field. He highlighted their unique engineering approach, designed to improve selectivity and safety. Supporting data assays and in vivo studies demonstrated enhanced proliferation and tumor-killing activity. By combining mechanistic insights with competitive benchmarking, QureBio underscored the differentiated potential of its immunotherapy candidate in advancing next-generation cancer treatment.
Ms. Saidan Lei of DIFF Biotech presented the company’s progress in next-generation viral vaccines, highlighting their asset, the first innovative influenza vaccine in China to file for IND. Developed using a first-of-its-kind technology, it has been accepted for review by the China CDE and demonstrates enhanced cross-protection against influenza variants. With six granted patents, the vaccine is positioned as both innovative and practical. Ms. Lei emphasized its non-invasive delivery, favorable safety profile, high patient compliance, and potential to achieve broad vaccine coverage, underscoring DIFF Biotech’s commitment to advancing safe and accessible influenza prevention.
Mr. Ye of HanchorBio presented the company’s innovative immuno-oncology programs, highlighting differentiated fusion proteins and tri-specific antibodies designed to enhance anti-tumor immunity with a favorable safety profile. Their lead program demonstrated broad-spectrum efficacy across tumor models and cancer types, with promising results in both monotherapy and combination therapy trials. HanchorBio also highlighted a tri-specific antibody engineered to target SIRPα, PD-L1, and TGFβRII, which effectively counteracts target-mediated inhibition and exhibited strong preclinical anti-tumor activity.
Dr. Sue Currie presented Virion’s approach to addressing the significant unmet need in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a disease driven by immune exhaustion. Leveraging its proprietary platform technology, Virion is advancing checkpoint modification as a novel solution to restore immune function. Their lead program demonstrated the ability to “spark” HBV immunity with a single dose. Clinical data highlighted multiple pathways through which Virion aims to achieve durable responses, supporting its strategy toward a functional cure. The company also emphasized the potential benefits of partnerships with them. The company also emphasized that they are looking for a partnership for Licensing, Acquisition, or Equity Investment to help advance their lead program & asset for patients with Chronic HBV.
Dr. Kim introduced Aptamer’s innovative platform focused on aptamer-drug conjugates, highlighting its lead program targeting GPC3, a receptor highly expressed in several solid tumor types. The presentation outlined the rationale for selecting GPC3 as a therapeutic target, supported by in vitro evidence demonstrating strong target selectivity, efficient internalization, and superior anti-tumor efficacy with a favorable toxicity profile. Aptamer also emphasized its broad pipeline and ongoing partnering opportunities to advance the development of its novel oncology assets.
Tony Eglezos presented Starpharma’s proprietary DEP® dendrimer platform, a scalable innovation designed to enhance drug development. The DEP® technology bridges the gap between small and large molecule targeting and payload delivery, offering superior tumor penetration and precision. Preclinical data showcased the strong potential of DEP® dendrimers. Starpharma highlighted its flexible partnership models to accelerate partners’ early asset development and commercialization. The company also emphasized opportunities through the Star Navigator R&D Partnership, the DEP® Platform Access, and Strategic Alliance, reinforcing its commitment to advancing innovation through collaboration.
Jimmy Tan presented Akeylink’s pipeline of antiviral therapies addressing significant unmet medical needs. The company emphasized its recent regulatory milestone in China, the advancement of multiple candidates in late-stage clinical development, and its strong focus on chronic hepatitis B, a disease with a large patient population and market gap. Preclinical and clinical data highlighted the robust efficacy of its drug candidates, reinforcing Akeylink’s ambition to deliver best-in-class antiviral solutions across multiple infectious diseases.
CONTACT US
Xiang Wendi
wxiang@yafocapital.com
About YAFO Capital
Founded in 2013, YAFO Capital is a global boutique investment and BD advisory firm with professional teams across our offices in China, the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia. Our expertise spans four core business segments: transaction advisory and consulting, NewCo incubation, investment fund management, and partnering forums. Over the years, YAFO has built a strong track record, closing dozens of business development transactions with leading global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. For more information, please visit http://www.yafocapital.com.
雅法资本成立于2013年，致力于生物医药项目的跨境及国内授权交易、成立NewCo和并购交易。基于雅法在全球广泛的人脉与资源网络，在过去十二年成功推进了大量的海外项目进入中国市场并协助多个中国产品完成海外授权。雅法拥有经验丰富的全球交易团队，覆盖美国、日本、欧洲等全球主要医药创新区域。核心合伙人均为华尔街资深投行人士或具有跨国药企经历，为客户交易提供强力支持。雅法总部位于上海，在美国、欧洲、东南亚等地均设有分部。
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