nir-vana innovation network

A Korean biotech company has developed a first-in-class Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) drug acting in the human joints by targeting a recombinant protein. The company has long-standing experts with extensive experience for more than 30 years so that drug development and commercialization can be implemented without difficulty. The team’s core competency is the ability to perform at a high-quality level in specific consulting projects for decades such as IND (Investigational New Drug), clinical trials, marketing approvals in home and abroad, protein/antibody therapeutics, cell/gene therapy, vaccines, etc.

The Problem: The human’s natural protein is involved in an immune antibody that is able to maintain a balance of immune homeostasis under normal physiological conditions. The natural protein has two active domains connected by a peptide linker (a short chain of amino acids). However, due to its low stability and solubility, the linker is easily degraded under normal conditions. This would be difficult for linkers to recover the damaged joint and increase the joint healing.

The Solution: The new recombinant protein is to solve the problem for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) treatments. By controlling and balancing the related cells of the RA, the recombinant protein enables joints to maintain the immune system without the linker’s help; also, it helps them have a solid resistance to protease with high stability and solubility. The company has acquired the whole Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) technology, including the patent ownership of the material from Japan in 2018.

The Korean company is looking for pharmaceutical or biotech partners with extensive experience who are interested in acquiring the new therapeutic technology of RA drug under a license agreement. By licensing out their technology, they want to enhance and boost performance and quality in the bio chemical sector.

Advantages & innovations

Compared to the conventional RA drugs, the new recombinant protein has the advantage of the ability to control the induction, production, stimulation, and inhibition of the FLS (Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes) along with the T cell (A type of white blood cell) better. Their recombinant protein is considered to be more immunogenic than conventional RA drugs. In comparison with the conventional materials of JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors (Tofacitinib 6.2mg/kg, qd) and Enbrel (10mg/kg, tiw), the new recombinant protein (4mg/kg, qw) also shows similar efficacy at a lower dose in the CIA (Collagen-Induced Arthritis) mouse model tests and enables patients to undergo a less frequent medical examination. The material had already been studied for more than 10 years in Japan to discover the root cause and the optimal solution of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under safety and efficacy in preclinical trials. Since acquiring the whole RA technology, the company has enhanced the productivity of the manufacturing process from 5mg/L to 100mg/L. Plenty of CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) tests have been performed at home and abroad for improving the RA technology; they have succeeded in optimizing the manufacturing process up to > 100mg/L.

Stage of development

Under development/lab tested

Partner sought

The Korean company is looking for pharmaceutical or biotech partners who want to gain the new therapeutic technology of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) drug under a license agreement or a technology cooperation agreement. The ideal partner should have strong knowledge and experience in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or other biotech sectors. They are also keen on hearing challenges from potential partners and would like to work together to create new solutions by capitalizing on their expertise within the biotech sector.