Samyang Biopharm is set to develop a next-generation treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Samyang Biopharm is an affiliate in the pharmaceuticals and biotech unit of Samyang Group.
The company said on the 22nd that it was selected for the research task to build a new drug research and development ecosystem under the "2025 second national new drug development project," led by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF), and signed an agreement to jointly promote the development of a candidate treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Under the agreement, KDDF will fund the research and development needed for candidate development for the next two years.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive lung disease in which fibrosis hardens the lungs and reduces respiratory function, with about 3 million patients worldwide. The market for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatments was about $3.29 billion last year and is projected to reach about $6.07 billion in 2034.
To overcome the limitations of existing treatments, Samyang Biopharm plans to develop a messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutic candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using its in-house gene delivery vehicle "SENS (Selectivity Enabling Nano Shell)."
mRNA is genetic material that carries information for protein synthesis. mRNA therapeutics work by injecting mRNA into the body so the body can directly produce therapeutic substances. Currently approved treatments are oral drugs that inhibit transforming growth factor (TGF-β). They slow disease progression, but must be taken three times a day and have limitations, including potential side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort or abnormal liver function with long-term use.
Samyang Biopharm's SENS is a technology that selectively delivers next-generation RNA-based therapeutics to specific tissues such as the liver, lungs, and spleen. Through this project, the company plans to design a regulator that suppresses the onset of pulmonary fibrosis in mRNA form and derive a nonclinical candidate that is selectively delivered to lung tissue via SENS.
A company official said, "The SENS platform has the advantage of being selectively delivered to specific tissues," and added, "Based on this, we will focus on enhancing efficacy duration and safety to improve treatment efficiency." The official said, "Through this project, we will demonstrate the company's global technological competitiveness in the field of gene therapeutics."
The national new drug development program is a pan-ministerial national R&D project launched to strengthen the international competitiveness of Korea's pharmaceutical and biotech industries. It supports all stages of the new drug development cycle for 10 years starting in 2021.