- MOU signed for technical and development cooperation of sustained release injectables that lasts more than a month
- Drug wrapped with biodegradable polymer for controlled release in the body
- Improvement of drug compliance and convenience through combination of biodegradable polymer technology and microsphere technology from both companies

 

▲Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division and G2GBIO signed an MOU to develop sustained release injectable products at the Samyang Discovery Center in Pangyo on the 9th. From left, Head of PU Lee Yong-jin (Biopharmaceuticals Division), CEO Eom Tae-woong (Samyang Holdings), CEO Lee Heeyong (G2GBIO), and Managing Director Lee Su-jeong (R&D Center).

 

Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceutical Division is promoting the R&D and commercialization of sustained release injectables through open innovation using drug delivery technology (DDS). DDS is a technology that effectively delivers drugs into the body to reduce side effects and maximize medicinal effects.

 

Samyang Holdings (CEO: Eom Tae-woong) Biopharmaceuticals Division announced on the 9th that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the sustained release drug delivery system (SRDDS) developer G2GBIO (CEO: Lee Heeyong) to initiate the development of sustained release injectables. SRDDS is a drug with sustained release of medicinal efficacy for up to several weeks to several months. This helps to improve dosing convenience for patients who have difficulty taking regular medications or chronic disease patients who are required to take daily medications.

 

According to this MOU, Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division will develop and supply biodegradable polymers for medical use, in which G2GBIO will use this to initiate research and development of sustained release injectables by producing microspheres. Microspheres are spherical particles of approximately 10 to 100 µm. Through this MOU, the two companies are scheduled to cooperate in all directions, from market research and development strategies for sustained release injectables to development of commercialization technology and discussions on the distribution rights of the finished products.

 

SRDDS is based on a technology that controls the drug to be slowly released from the body to maintain a constant concentration by wrapping the drug in biodegradable polymer. The key element of this technology is the biodegradable polymer material. This is because the dissolution of microspheres and the rate of drug release varies depending on the type and dissolution of the biodegradable polymer material.

 

Since 1993, Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division has succeeded in developing biodegradable surgical sutures using biodegradable polymers for the first time in Korea. It has accumulated Korea’s best capabilities for biodegradable polymers and is capable of designing optimal polymers tailored to the required drug properties. In addition, stable raw material supply is possible due to the company’s own factory that is capable of producing biodegradable polymer materials and raw materials.

 

Another key technology in the development of sustained release injectables using the microsphere-based DDS technology is the production of microspheres in uniformed sizes. This is because the dissolution rate and drug release amount may vary depending on the degree of uniformity of the microsphere size. Although production of uniform sized microspheres can be realized to some extent in the research stage, quality assurance is difficult to achieve in mass production. This is why it is difficult for latecomers to enter this market.

 

G2GBIO’s patented “Innovative Long Acting Micro Particle” (InnoLAMP) technology is capable of producing uniformed sizes of microspheres through their self-developed microsphere manufacturing technology. In addition, a GMP plant for clinical product production equipped with aseptic facilities is available, in which production facilities more than ten times the size are being prepared. There are only about ten companies worldwide capable of commercial production of sustained release microspheres. Based on the mentioned technology, G2GBIO is focused on research and development for dementia treatment and diabetes treatment with sustained medicinal effect for up to a month, and post-operative pain treatment with sustained medicinal effect for up to a week.

CEO Eom stated “Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division has a diverse portfolio of biodegradable polymer materials and its own production plant, including polymer synthesis technology, so it is possible to supply substances tailored to the properties of drugs.” He added, “We will strive to improve the convenience of drug administration for patients by developing SRDDS that combines the technologies and infrastructures of both companies beyond simple substance supply.”

 

CEO Lee stated “Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division has excellent technology and is the first in Korea to develop biodegradable surgical sutures.” He added, “Since the role of biodegradable polymers is important for sustained release drugs, we expect that this agreement will enhance product competitiveness and make it easier to enter overseas markets.”

 

Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division has invested heavily in DDS from the beginning of its entry into the pharmaceutical business. In the late 1990s, it launched improved new drugs, such as Genexol® PM Inj. and Nanoxel® M Inj. using DDS technology as well as a DDS through the skin, such as the smoking cessation aid Nicostop® Patch and arthritis treatment Rheumastop® Plaster. Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division has developed its own differentiated DDS platform that can be applied to biopharmaceuticals, among others, while also promoting the development of new drugs using the platform. Recently, it signed an MOU with mCureX, a subsidiary of the gene therapy developer OliX Pharmaceuticals, to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, and is researching an mRNA vaccine using stability enhanced nanoshell (mSENS), an independent DDS technology of Samyang Holdings Biopharmaceuticals Division.

 

Founded in 2017, G2GBIO is a biotech company specializing in the development of long-acting medicines. Currently, an investigational new drug (IND) is in progress for the development of a global improved drug for the treatment of sustained release dementia, and plans to continuously promote technology transfer and joint development in the future. Since its establishment, G2GBIO has secured approximately KRW 21.4 billion in investment attraction so far. Investors include Korea Investment Partners which participated in both Series A and B, QUAD Investment Management, Seoul Investment Partners, Emford Equity Partners, BNK Venture Capital, Industrial Bank of Korea, Arc Impact Asset Management, KDB Bank, CKD Venture Capital, Daedeok Venture Partners, AG Investment, G2G Invest Partners, and Biotoxtech.