K-Bio·Vaccine Fund No. 4 Begins Priority Investment of 80 Billion KRW... Cumulative Total Reaches 386.6 Billion KRW

by Jo Inkyung

Published 29 Apr.2025 17:10(KST)

Updated 29 Apr.2025 18:03(KST)

Ministry Secures 40 Billion KRW in Public Funds and 40 Billion KRW in Private Investment to Launch Fund Investments

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on April 29 that the K-Bio·Vaccine Fund No. 4 has been established with a total size of 80 billion KRW and has begun making investments.

K-Bio·Vaccine Fund No. 4 Begins Priority Investment of 80 Billion KRW... Cumulative Total Reaches 386.6 Billion KRW

The fourth fund, managed by Solidus Investment, was planned with a target of 100 billion KRW. With 40 billion KRW in public investment from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and 40 billion KRW in private investment secured, the fund reached the minimum amount required to begin investing (70% of the target), and its establishment was confirmed the previous day.

The fourth fund will invest in companies developing innovative technologies across the entire biohealth sector, including pharmaceuticals, as well as vaccines.

The K-Bio·Vaccine Fund was launched to move away from a pharmaceutical and biotech industry structure focused on generic drugs and to create 'blockbuster' new drugs. It primarily supports clinical trials (phases 2 and 3) for innovative new drugs, overseas expansion of domestic companies, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

The first and second funds, established in 2023 and last year respectively, were formed with a combined total of 306.6 billion KRW, and so far, 92.8 billion KRW has been invested in 20 companies. Of this, 90.8 billion KRW (19 cases) was invested in the key area of innovative pharmaceutical and biohealth companies. The third fund is still in the process of being established.

Jung Eunyoung, Director of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We hope that the early establishment and investment launch of the K-Bio·Vaccine Fund No. 4 will inject new vitality into the bio investment market, which is beginning to recover." She added, "We will continue to create funds to ensure that necessary capital is provided in a timely manner to revitalize investment in the biohealth industry."