As winter approaches, cold and dry weather worsens skin diseases such as allergies and atopic dermatitis. Domestic pharmaceutical corporations are fiercely competing to develop skin disease treatment technologies and release products with fewer side effects. According to market research firm Global Information, the global market for skin disease therapeutics is expected to grow from 65 trillion won last year to 102 trillion won by 2029.
Yuhan Corp. recently received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for a phase 2 clinical trial plan for resigercept, an allergy treatment under development. Resigercept is a drug that inhibits immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody that triggers allergies. Yuhan Corp. introduced the technology from GI Innovation, a domestic bio corporations, in 2020. It holds the marketing rights except for Japan.
Resigercept demonstrated safety in a phase 1 clinical trial targeting patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. The company plans to evaluate efficacy in the phase 2 trial. A Yuhan Corp. official said, "We plan to verify the clinical advantages of resigercept in Asian and European countries, including Korea," adding, "It is a case of expanding research and development through open innovation."
Atopic dermatitis treatments are also drawing attention. With Westernized diets and environmental pollution, not only children but also adult patients with atopic dermatitis are increasing. HK inno.N is developing IN-115314, a treatment for atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis causes itching and inflammation when Janus kinase (JAK)-1, a protein in cell signaling, becomes excessively activated. This treatment inhibits Janus kinase-1. It can be used in both humans and animals and is being developed as an ointment and an oral medication.
The company presented the results of the IN-115314 phase 1 clinical trial at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology last month. After applying the treatment to adult patients with atopic dermatitis and waiting four weeks, the score evaluating eczema severity decreased by up to 77.8%. Typically, when an ointment is applied, some ingredients travel through the bloodstream and can affect other organs. However, systemic exposure to this treatment was one-twentieth that of competing drugs. A company official said, "That much lowers concerns about side effects," adding, "We are conducting a phase 2 trial to find the appropriate dose of the treatment."
Shaperon is developing Nougel, an atopic dermatitis treatment. Shaperon developed Nougel based on a theory presented by founding Seoul National University College of Medicine professor Seong Seung-yong in 2004 in Nature Reviews Immunology. Damaged tissues inside the body commonly produce molecular debris. The molecular debris excessively aggregates in body fluids and causes inflammation. Nougel is a treatment that modulates inflammatory responses. Phase 2 trials are underway in the United States and Korea.
Some corporations are targeting Europe with urticaria treatments. Celltrion launched Omlyclo in Norway last month. Omlyclo is a biosimilar (biologic copycat) of Xolair that treats chronic idiopathic urticaria and asthma. Xolair, developed by Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, recorded about 6.5 trillion won in sales last year. A Celltrion official said, "We are pushing to launch the product in Germany, France, and Spain," adding, "We will offer high-quality medicines at reasonable prices."