Yuhan Corporation Introduces New Allergy Drug Candidate Substance

License Agreement Signed Worth 1.4 Trillion Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Yuhan Corporation announced on the 1st that it has signed a joint development and license agreement worth 1.4 trillion KRW for the allergy disease treatment candidate substance 'GI-301 fusion protein' with the domestic bio venture company GI Innovation.

Through this contract, Yuhan Corporation has acquired the rights to develop and commercialize GI-301 in the global market excluding Japan. Yuhan Corporation will pay a total of 1.409 trillion KRW to GI Innovation, including a non-refundable contract fee of 20 billion KRW.

GI-301 is a new drug candidate that can treat various allergic diseases. Most allergic diseases are caused when 'IgE,' a substance produced upon exposure to allergens, binds to mast cells and other cells, triggering symptoms. GI-301 is a fusion protein that binds to IgE and blocks it.

Yuhan Corporation explained that GI-301 has demonstrated superior inhibitory effects compared to the IgE antibody drug 'Xolair,' which currently records annual sales of 4 trillion KRW, as confirmed in preclinical monkey experiments. Unlike existing treatments, it is characterized by maintaining a steady concentration.

Lee Jeong-hee, CEO of Yuhan Corporation, said, "Through joint research with GI Innovation, we will develop next-generation allergy treatments that cure the four core diseases: asthma, chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies."