Plus deals from Huadong/Arcutis, SK Bioscience/Novavax, NeuroBio/MThera, CASI/Mundipharma/Acrotech, Amarin/Lotus and Synergy/Livzon.

Amarin’s management has suggested that it would be prepared to compete “very aggressively” with a US authorized generic version of its Vascepa if and when it decides to launch. The comments came as the originator named a new CEO and restructured in the wake of increasing generic competition.

Restructuring Edition: FibroGen follows its clinical setback with a 32% reduction in force, cutting 104 jobs. Also, Amarin named a new CEO, but cut all US sales and 30% of non-sales US roles, and 9 Meters is headed for dissolution after Chapter 7 bankruptcy, while several others seek strategic alternatives.

Highlighted by SK Biopharmaceuticals’ recent decision to acquire the US-based ProteoVant Sciences, Korean pharma firms are stepping up deals and collaborations in the hot TPD space, which is expected to continue to attract global investors and big pharma interest.