Hope is taking shape for patients facing metabolic disorders in Guangzhou Innogen Pharmaceutical Group’s (Innogen) breakthrough innovation: Asia’s first domestically developed humanized long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist. This milestone speaks of the company’s commitment to patient-centric research and its ambition to extend treatment frontiers. What amplifies this advancement is Innogen’s August 2025 debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, a move that signals its readiness to marry scientific rigor with global capital markets. At the heart of this surge is Efsubaglutide Alfa (marketed as Diabegone), the molecule anchoring Innogen’s journey from laboratory promise to clinical deployment. As a next-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist, it is engineered for a rapid onset of action, substantial reductions in HbA1c, sustained weight loss, and a long half-life that supports patient adherence to dosing regimen. “The therapy dismantles diabetes at its metabolic core, improving body weight, abdominal fat, BMI, and cholesterol. These coordinated changes directly mitigate cardiovascular complications, the silent killer claiming most diabetic lives,” says Dr. Qinghua Wang, founder, chairman and CEO, in discussion of Efsubaglutide Alfa. Innogen integrates discovery, CMC, and late-stage development in-house to compress iteration cycles and de-risk scale-up. Its approach is mechanism-first and evidence-driven: it selects pathways central to metabolic dysfunction, engineers long-acting constructs for consistency, and anchors in endpoints that matter in real-world clinical settings. Since its founding in 2014, the company has built integrated capabilities, with a pipeline spanning diabetes, obesity, overweight, and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), along with multiple preclinical candidates that extend the principle of durability and safety across adjacent metabolic burdens. Under Dr. Wang’s leadership, who has more than 25 years of experience in metabolic research, Innogen fosters a culture that respects mechanisms, rewards evidence, and designs for patient realities. That philosophy is evident in trial design, post marketing vigilance, and a strategic decision: elevating adherence as a clinical endpoint.
Bioinformatics & Genomics
Humintec, Co., Ltd
The Shift from Glass Slides to Image-Based Diagnosis
Peom Park, CEO and Professor
Pathology has traditionally relied on glass slides and manual microscopy. But in the last decade, this approach slowed diagnosis, limited collaboration, and increased strain on specialists managing complex workloads. Limited access to slides hinders collaboration between hospitals, while students and researchers often train on low-quality images instead of authentic whole- slide data. Most healthcare institutes seek ways to digitize their work, share information securely, and build platforms that support both clinical practice and academic growth; but how? Humintec, Co., Ltd addresses this need. The company’s advanced Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) revolutionizes the capture, storage, and sharing of pathology data, while enhancing disease analysis and diagnosis. Its mission is to enable complete digital workflows, allowing laboratories to move beyond microscopes and glass slides, and adopt systems that integrate with existing hospital environments. iPEAK, Humintec, Co., Ltd’s comprehensive pathology PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), combines a high-resolution viewer with an image management system, allowing pathologists to analyse and manage slides digitally. It preserves original whole-slide image formats such as SVS, NDPI, and TIFF, while offering optional DICOM conversion for integration with hospital PACS. This prevents data loss and ensures clinicians always have access to the highest-quality images. iPEAK also have Teleconsultation System, which allows pathologists to share cases online for remote consultations and second opinions—enhancing collaboration regardless of location. Humintec, Co., Ltd offers additional solutions to support iPEAK. The Digital Pathology Tracking System provides endto-end visibility, tracing each slide from specimen preparation through reporting and archiving. Real-time data collection delivers accurate operational insights, while dashboards and analytics optimize efficiency and workflow performance. Built on a robust architecture, it ensures a sustainable and intelligent pathology environment. Additionally, HuminTec offers the KBBN Brain Archive Review System, developed for the Korea Brain Bank Network. This digital platform supports high-resolution whole slide images with vendor-neutral viewing, custom annotation tools, and secure role-based access. It empowers clinicians, students, and researchers through collaborative consultations, case-based discussions, and real-world access to high quality brain tissue data. “Humintec, Co., Ltd’s Biomedical Informatics Platform transforms traditional healthcare practices into next-generation services and precision medicine through an integrated set of hardware and software solutions,” says Professor Peom Park, CEO Humintec, Co., Ltd. "In December 2018, Humintec. Co., Ltd entered into a partnership with KLAS #1 Medical Imaging IT and Cybersecurity Company named "Sectra". "H-sectra is an advanced platform that integrate Humintec's solution with Sectra Digital Pathology System". H-Sectra On-Premise (VNA)/Sectra One Cloud brings together global technology and K-Medical expertise to deliver a next-generation digital pathology platform on premise as well as on cloud for accurate, efficient, secured and scalable diagnosis. DGPS (Digital Gross Pathology System) makes the whole Process of gross photography – from initial image capturing, archiving, and retrieving to printing-as easy as possible, so that it makes your work more efficient. The easy-to-use software includes hands-free control of camera, a real-time live image in LCD, and a faster transference of the captured image from camera to PC. DGLS (Gross Photography and Gross Lab Station) makes the whole Process of gross photography with Gross Lab station. GPRS (Digital Photography and Recording System) enables us to capture gross images and record voice memos simultaneously and transmit gross images and voice dictation files to the server. The Smart K-Medical Biomedical Informatics Platform is a cloud-based datahub for standardized biomedical data integration, supporting real-time collaboration among patients, physicians, and experts, providing innovative medical services such as remote pathology, surgical consultations and AI-driven precision medicine. Establishing a diagnostic system through “NGS integrated management and big data research 1) Standardized processes for NGS data through integrated management system. 2) Development of a system leveraging NGS big data research for diagnostic applications. 3) Enhanced data quality to increase the reliability of analysis results. Humintec, Co., Ltd’s key advantage is its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing hospital infrastructure. By connecting with systems such as LIS, HIS, EMR, and PACS, it brings together images, test results, reports, and clinical data into a unified record. This eliminates silos and provides real-time access for pathologists, clinicians, and researchers. The result is smoother workflows, faster turnaround times, and stronger compliance with data management requirements. The integration-first design ensures scalability, supporting hospitals of different sizes while keeping usability straightforward for end users. The impact of this model is clear in the company’s history. Seoul National University Hospital served as the first test site, creating a strong reference case. Success there enabled adoption at Korea University Hospitals, Yonsei University Severance Hospitals, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary’s, KMI, Ulsan University Hospital, Busan and Chungbuk National University Hospitals among others. Humintec, Co., Ltd holds over 70 percent of the digital pathology market in Korea, building long-term relationships with key opinion leaders and shaping standards of practice. Clients consistently cite its 25 years of expertise and responsiveness to real-world needs as core strengths. Feedback from major hospitals informs ongoing product development, ensuring the platform evolves with clinical demands. Now expanding internationally, Humintec, Co., Ltd brings a model grounded in integration, precision, and collaboration. Its work improves diagnostic accuracy, streamlines workflows, and supports education and research, demonstrating how a thoughtfully designed digital platform can transform healthcare practice..
Biomanufacturing
Developing a life-saving therapy is a journey marked by breakthroughs and bottlenecks. Among the most challenging steps is scaleup—when a process that thrives in a laboratory flask must perform flawlessly in a 2,000-liter bioreactor. Variability can creep in, productivity may falter, and regulatory compliance becomes more complex. For biopharmaceutical developers, these challenges jeopardize timelines and delay the hope of treatments reaching patients. Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea exists to eliminate those uncertainties. “Our mission is to deliver more than just media. We deliver confidence that therapies can progress from concept to commercial production while maintaining uncompromised quality and reliability,” says Dr. Masakazu Sugiyama, president. From its headquarters in Songdo, Incheon—one of Asia’s leading bio-clusters—Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea anchors its strategy on a clear identity. Its mission is to contribute to medical advancement and better lives by providing cell culture media. Its vision is to become Asia’s most preferred and trusted cell culture media supplier. And its values are rooted in a customer-centered culture, operational excellence, and the promise of stable, speedy, and superb quality. This foundation ensures that every decision, from scientific innovation to customer partnership, aligns with long-term trust and reliability. Bridging Asia and the Global Biopharmaceutical Market What sets Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea apart is its dual positioning: deeply rooted in Asia while seamlessly connected to the global biopharmaceutical ecosystem. As part of the Ajinomoto Group—a company with a long history in biotechnology and amino acid science leadership—Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea leverages global expertise while tailoring solutions to regional growth trends. Asia’s demand for advanced therapies is expanding rapidly. By supporting both multinational firms and regional champions, Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea acts as a strategic bridge, enabling the globalization of biopharmaceutical manufacturing and accelerating the path of therapies from Asia to the world. Ajinomoto’s long-standing AminoScience heritage gives Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea a unique edge in designing highly optimized media formulations. This expertise extends beyond antibody manufacturing into next-generation modalities such as vaccines, cell therapies, and gene therapies. This breadth reflects not only scientific ingenuity but also a commitment to enabling the therapies of tomorrow. Each formulation is designed with scalability, sustainability, and regulatory readiness in mind..
Drug Discovery and Development
Medical Affairs Takes Centre Stage
Dr. Sarah Tregenza, PhD, BSc (Hons), APAC Oncology Medical Affairs Director, Pierre Fabre
Drug Discovery and Development
The Growing Potential of NGS in Agriculture
Mark Dupal, Vice President, Sales – APAC, Twist Bioscience
Drug Discovery and Development
Clinical Trials Landscape in APAC and Its Unique Characteristics and Opportunities
Marcia Matos, APAC Clinical Operations Hub Director, SERVIER
Drug Discovery and Development
Navigating Global R&D and Pharmacokinetics in Oncology
Rose Fida, Executive Director, Program & Performance Excellence, Global R&D Portfolio & Operations Excellence, CSL [ASX: CSL]
Drug Discovery and Development
Effective Strategies for Addressing Obesity and Diabetes
Lara N. AL-Dandachi, Nutrition Director of the PRO program, UCLA Health
IN MY OPINION
Drug Discovery and Development
Revenue Cycle Management in the Australian Healthcare System
Sayeed Zia, Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Sydney Children's Hospitals
LAST WORD
Drug Discovery and Development
Data Science And Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare
Sean Lam, PhD, Head of Data Science, SingHealth
IN FOCUS
Engineering Cell Culture Media for Precision Biotech
The APAC region is advancing cell culture media into a precision tool for biomanufacturing, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery, leveraging AI, 3D models, and programmable substrates.
APAC's Sustainable Revolution in Metabolic Drug Synthesis
The Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical industry is embracing green chemistry to enhance sustainability, utilizing biocatalysis, renewable feedstocks, and continuous manufacturing for more efficient drug production.
EDITORIAL
Transforming Healthcare and Biomanufacturing across APAC
Parallelly, cell culture media manufacturing is evolving from a support function into a strategic advantage. High-quality, customizable media, optimized through automation and digital twins, ensure consistent, scalable production of biologics, vaccines, and regenerative therapies. This results in enhanced efficiency, regulatory compliance, and a foundation for reproducible innovation.
In therapeutic development, especially for metabolic diseases, this convergence is even more evident. Integrating informatics with metabolomic profiling and compound screening enables precision-targeted interventions, offering hope for more effective treatments for diabetes, obesity, and lipid disorders.
Today, integration is the new competitive edge. When digital intelligence streamlines manufacturing and guides drug development, organizations achieve a seamless continuum, from molecular insight to clinical impact, unlocking innovation and operational excellence. In an industry defined by complexity, agility, and data-driven precision, those who embrace this intelligent convergence will determine the future of healthcare.
This edition highlights Guangzhou Innogen Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., which is dedicated to developing innovative and affordable therapeutics for metabolic diseases. The magazine also features the expert perspectives of Lara AL- Dandachi, Nutrition Director of the PRO program at UCLA Health, and Shigeto M., VP of Digital Solutions, APAC, Syneos Health. These esteemed professionals share their invaluable insights on developments and challenges within the sector, along with possible solutions.
We hope these valuable insights from industry leaders featured in this edition will assist you in making informed decisions for your businesses.


