"End-Stage Renal Disease Patient Peritoneal Fibrosis Treatment and Prevention" Nobmeta Pharma Obtains Patent

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] NovMetaPharma, a biotech venture specializing in new drug development, announced on the 7th that it has obtained a patent for a composition (NovPF) that can treat or prevent peritoneal fibrosis occurring in end-stage renal failure patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

The patented technology, acquired in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University, is characterized by reducing the fibrosis that hardens during peritoneal dialysis and improving dialysis efficiency. The company previously received a substance patent in the United States for an endogenous peptide 001 used in this composition.

According to the company, peritoneal fibrosis can occur as one of the complications in end-stage renal failure patients who maintain peritoneal dialysis for a long period, and there is currently no clear treatment method. This patent is expected to be used for treating, preventing, or improving such peritoneal fibrosis.

With the increase in diabetes and hypertension patients, the number of chronic renal failure patients is also rising, and peritoneal dialysis is mainly used when kidney function is impaired. Compared to conventional hemodialysis, it is more convenient and effective, but fibrosis caused by peritoneal inflammation lowers dialysis efficiency and can prevent peritoneal dialysis. Therefore, the company anticipates that this patented technology can be developed and applied to patients who need preventive or therapeutic measures.

According to a market research firm, the global peritoneal dialysis market was valued at $3.6 billion (approximately 4.3 trillion KRW, based on 2017) and is growing about 7% annually. A company representative stated, "Based on this composition, treatments for type 2 diabetes and kidney diseases are also under development," adding, "The quality and safety of this drug have already reached an advanced development stage that allows entry into Phase 3 clinical trials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which could shorten the commercialization timeline."