Pharmaceutical and biotech corporations are increasingly co-developing new drugs. They are joining hands from the research stage, going beyond simply co-marketing medicines. They focus on what each does best—such as candidate discovery, clinical trials, and commercialization—to leverage their strengths. As the time and expense required to develop new drugs are enormous, co-development also helps spread risk.
SK bioscience and French drugmaker Sanofi are co-developing a 21-valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine candidate (GBP410). They are conducting a global phase 3 trial, with key results planned for release as early as the first half of next year. Pneumococcus is a bacterium that is a major cause of pneumonia. A protein conjugate vaccine is made by linking a specific protein to the polysaccharide that encases pneumococcus, and is considered to have better preventive efficacy than existing vaccines. According to market research firm Global Insight Market, the global pneumococcal vaccine market is projected to grow from 14 trillion won last year to 22 trillion won in 2034.
SK bioscience is leading discovery of the pneumococcal vaccine candidate and preclinical studies. Sanofi handles clinical trials, approvals, and global commercialization. The expense of vaccine development and commercialization is shared equally by both companies. A SK bioscience official said, "Sanofi has extensive global clinical experience and strong recognition, so we decided to co-develop the vaccine," adding, "Sanofi will handle global distribution, and we plan to coordinate jointly for Korea and Southeast Asia."
Celltrion is co-developing a multi-antibody anticancer drug candidate (CT-P72/ABP-102) with U.S. biotech Abpro. A single antibody triggers an immune response by attacking only one tumor antigen, but a multi-antibody acts on multiple antigens, boosting therapeutic effect. This candidate precisely suppresses only cancer cells and barely affects normal cells.
Abpro is in charge of candidate development, while Celltrion handles preclinical and clinical studies and commercialization. Celltrion recently received approval of its investigational new drug application from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), entering phase 1. A Celltrion official said, "We are diversifying our portfolio not only through in-house research but also via co-development," adding, "We will strengthen new drug competitiveness and secure future growth engines through flexible collaboration."
GC Biopharma is co-developing a bispecific antibody ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) with new drug development corporations Kanaph Therapeutics. ADC is a technology that precisely delivers a drug by attaching it to an antibody, reducing side effects on normal cells while maximizing therapeutic effect. The two companies are developing a bispecific antibody ADC drug for patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have developed resistance to existing therapies.
Kanaph Therapeutics develops the candidate, and the two companies conduct preclinical studies together. GC Biopharma handles clinical trials. GC Biopharma has even invested in Kanaph Therapeutics and holds 13.06% equity in the company. Kanaph Therapeutics recently filed a securities registration statement with the Financial Services Commission for a KOSDAQ listing. A GC Biopharma official said, "We will develop innovative new drugs by leveraging the capabilities of both companies."
WOOJUNG BIO will co-develop a so-called "organ-on-a-chip" (Organ on a Chip) platform with U.S.-based Axela Biosystems. The technology recreates various human organs on a small chip to evaluate efficacy during new drug development. The company said artificial intelligence (AI) enables data analysis.
WOOJUNG BIO is a corporations that provides preclinical contract research (CRO). With alternatives to animal testing expanding worldwide recently, it is seen as moving to co-develop an organ-on-a-chip platform with U.S.-based Axela Biosystems to secure new growth engines. A WOOJUNG BIO official said, "Using organ-on-a-chip technology can partly reduce animal testing and allow hybrid preclinical studies to use expense and time efficiently," adding, "We plan to combine Axela Biosystems' organ-on-a-chip technology with our preclinical data."
An industry official said, "Independently developing a new drug can generate massive revenue, but the clinical process is not straightforward and there is no guarantee of 100% success," adding, "They are pursuing a strategy to reduce risk through co-development, create synergy, and raise the chances of success."