[The Games Daily] Bio Startup Investment Forum Successfully Held

Hosted by the Council for Advanced Regenerative Medicine to Support Investment in Promising Companies

The CARM Bio Startup Investment Forum, designed to support promising biotech startups in attracting investment, receiving growth mentoring, and building partnerships with leading companies, was held on the 21st at COEX under the auspices of the Council for Advanced Regenerative Medicine (CARM).

The forum was created to support promising biotech startups that possess strong technologies but face challenges in commercialization due to limited funding and business experience. Its goal is to provide practical growth opportunities by sharing the business experience and know-how of established companies and offering tailored growth strategies suited to each startup’s needs.

Bomo Science, Redgene, and Mbiome Therapeutics, selected as mentees through an open recruitment process, participated in the program and received advice on fundraising strategies and approaches to building mutually beneficial collaborations with established companies.

Mentors included Baek Chang-wook, Director at GC Cell; Kim Yong-chul, Head of Division at Daily Partners; and Oh Jung-hwan, Director at Infobank. They shared practical guidance on successful biotech entrepreneurship and fundraising strategies tailored to different stages of company growth.

In particular, Baek drew strong interest by sharing real-world examples and practical insights into two challenges biotech startups inevitably face as they scale: raising large amounts of capital and preparing for global market expansion.

Cell and gene therapies, a key segment of the biotechnology industry, have recently emerged as a major global focus. With the market projected to grow by approximately 40% annually and exceed USD 55.6 billion by 2025, competition to secure an early market position has intensified as pharmaceutical companies and startups in Korea and abroad enter the sector.

The Korean government has also designated biotechnology as a national strategic advanced technology, signaling stronger policy support for the industry. CARM is likewise working to establish a sustainable ecosystem that enables biotech startups to grow and reinvest in future innovation.

A total of 16 companies participated in IR presentations and one-on-one consultation sessions: NeurolMed, Maru Therapeutics, MarkHelz, B-Element, StemExOne, Acrocell Bioscience, Xcell Therapeutics, Youth Bio Global, InstemCare, ILIAS Biologics, GeneMedicine, CLIPS BnC, PAIAN Biotechnology, Pentamedix, Primoris Therapeutics, and HaplScience.

Startups participating in the forum are also expected to receive investment support linked to the government-backed TIPS program through Infobank and Korea Bio Investment Partners.

The Games Daily / Reporter Ko Sang-tae
qkek619@tgdaily.co.kr

Source: The Games Daily