TiumBio, Vaxcell Bio Rally on ASCO Momentum...Huons Jumps on Merger News [K-Bio Pulse]

[Song Young Doo, Edaily Reporter] TiumBio and ViGenCell shares surged on expectations tied to the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology(ASCO) meeting, while Huons gained sharply on merger-related news. Investor sentiment was largely driven by anticipated data readouts from key pipelines, with momentum building ahead of the global oncology conference.

TiumBio stock trend.(Source=KG Zeroin’s MP DOCTOR)

According to KG Zeroin’s MP DOCTOR data on April 23, TiumBio shares rose 14.41%(won 1,330) to close at won 10,560. Market participants view the rally as a combination of ASCO-related expectations and inflows from overseas investors, rather than a single catalyst.

The ASCO 2026 meeting, scheduled for May 29 to June 2 in Chicago, is seen as the primary driver. The company also highlighted the upcoming presentation as a key factor behind the stock’s movement.

“We plan to present a poster on the combination therapy of Tosposertib at ASCO, and we believe this has influenced the share price,” a company official said.

Tosposertib(TU2218), an immuno-oncology candidate that simultaneously inhibits TGF-β and VEGF, is currently in Phase 2a trials for head and neck cancer patients in Korea and the United States. At ASCO, interim data from its combination with Keytruda(pembrolizumab) will be presented in a poster session.

Earlier interim data disclosed at SITC 2025 showed an objective response rate(ORR) of 70.6%, with 12 partial responses among 17 evaluable patients—significantly higher than the current standard-of-care ORR of around 36%. The upcoming presentation is expected to include additional patients and extended follow-up data, with durability and consistency of response emerging as key points of focus.

Another pipeline, Merigolix(TU2670), is also drawing attention. The oral GnRH antagonist, developed for endometriosis and uterine fibroids, has completed a Phase 2a study in Europe. Its oral formulation differentiates it from existing injectable therapies.

The company is currently pursuing out-licensing opportunities in Europe, citing favorable efficacy and safety data. The global endometriosis treatment market is estimated at around won 3.6 trillion.

In addition to these expectations, foreign investor inflows appear to have supported the rally. Buying through foreign brokerage channels was observed during the session. “Rather than a single event, continued inflows from overseas investors seem to have driven the stock higher” an industry source said, adding that global investors appear to be showing increasing interest in the company.



ViGenCell Hits Upper Limit for Second Straight Session on ASCO Oral Presentation

ViGenCell also extended its rally, hitting the daily upper limit for a second consecutive trading day on ASCO-related momentum. The stock jumped 29.91%(won 2,210) to close at won 9,600, after rising 29.88% the previous day.

The company is scheduled to deliver an oral presentation at ASCO, where it will present Phase 2 results for its cell therapy candidate VT-EBV-N, which targets Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-related indications.

The candidate produced meaningful results in reducing relapse risk and improving survival, suggesting its potential to improve patient outcomes. The oral presentation format is also expected to draw heightened global attention.



Huons Surges on Subsidiary Merger; L/O Rumors Also Circulate

Huons shares surged 14.78%(won 8,600) to close at won 66,800, driven by news of a merger with its wholly owned subsidiary Huons Biopharma.

The company stated, “There are no specific developments other than the merger with Huons Biopharma.”

Huons announced that it will absorb Huons Biopharma through a small-scale, stock-free merger, meaning no new shares will be issued and there will be no change in control structure.

The key objective is to consolidate its pharmaceutical business. By integrating operations previously split between the two entities, Huons aims to enhance efficiency and strengthen expertise. The company also plans to leverage Huons Biopharma’s Osong plant to expand capabilities across contract manufacturing(CMO) and broader pharmaceutical operations.

The merger agreement will be signed on April 23, with completion targeted for June 23, followed by registration procedures. The shareholder record date is set for May 7.

The deal is also raising expectations for earnings improvement, as the structure avoids shareholder dilution while enabling cost efficiencies and operational synergies.

CEO Song Soo-young said, “Through this merger, we expect to strengthen our expertise by combining the core competencies of both companies, and ultimately enhance corporate value.”

Meanwhile, speculation over a potential licensing-out(L/O) deal also circulated in the market, contributing to buying interest. Huons is developing its proprietary “HyDIFFUSE” platform, which converts intravenous(IV) formulations into subcutaneous(SC) injections, and expectations for potential out-licensing of this technology appear to have influenced sentiment.

Huons’ subsidiary Huonslab filed for regulatory approval in December last year for “Hyddzyme”(HLB3-002), a HyDIFFUSE-based product. The drug is a stand-alone formulation with the same amino acid sequence as Halozyme’s original hyaluronidase product “Hylenex.”