News 2026.08.21

SBI Investment Portfolio Company Aston Sci. Closes KRW 39.6 Billion Series D… Accelerating Clinical Development and Licensing of mRNA Gastric Cancer Vaccine AST-301

Aston Sci., an SBI Investment portfolio company developing mRNA-based immuno-oncology therapies, has closed an oversubscribed Series D round of KRW 39.6 billion, exceeding its target.
Thirteen new investors joined the round, including the K-Vaccine Fund, the Korea Development Bank, Korea Investment Partners and Kolon Investment. Its lead pipeline, the mRNA-based therapeutic gastric cancer vaccine ‘AST-301,’ has completed patient enrollment for its Phase 2 trial, with topline results due in the second half of 2026, and received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. FDA in June.
Aston Sci. is expanding its global business development, including signing a licensing agreement for AST-301 with a Chinese biotech. CFO Jung In-hyuk said, “Being oversubscribed beyond our target despite a difficult investment environment reflects the market's confidence in our clinical data and technology.”

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