LG Chem "Entering Phase 3 Clinical Trials for Gout Drug This Year... Building New Drug Portfolio"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] LG Chem has set strengthening new drug research and development (R&D) as its goal for this year, including Phase 3 clinical trials for a gout treatment, and Phase 1 clinical trials for new drugs targeting non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hereditary obesity.

On the morning of the 13th, LG Chem participated as a presenting company at the 'JP Morgan Healthcare Conference' held online and announced the competitiveness and development strategies of key pipelines such as gout and anticancer drugs.

Son Ji-woong, head of LG Chem’s Life Sciences Business Division, who spoke at the event, said, “Over the five years since the business division was launched, we have significantly strengthened our new drug pipeline to secure future growth engines through approximately 800 billion KRW in R&D investment and comprehensive open innovation. This year, global clinical projects will accelerate, including the entry of the gout drug 'Tigulixostat (LC350189)' into Phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S. and China, and R&D results entering clinical stages will be released one after another.”

LG Chem currently holds a total of 21 new drug pipelines in preclinical and clinical stages (8 anticancer, 8 metabolic diseases, 5 immune diseases). Among them, the most advanced is undoubtedly the gout drug Tigulixostat. It is preparing for multinational Phase 3 clinical trials with the goal of commercializing a first-line treatment to lower uric acid in gout patients.

Tigulixostat is an oral gout treatment that inhibits the expression of the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO), which produces uric acid, the main cause of gout, thereby preventing excessive uric acid production. Last July, LG Chem announced that it met both primary and secondary endpoints at a high level in the U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial. The primary endpoint, 'achievement rate of serum uric acid concentration below 5 mg/dL at 3 months of administration,' was 62% in the 200 mg Tigulixostat group, and the secondary endpoint, 'serum uric acid concentration below 6 mg/dL at 3 months,' was 78% in the 200 mg group. In contrast, the placebo group showed 3% for both endpoints, and the existing treatment 'Febuxostat' group showed 23% and 54%, respectively.

LG Chem plans to submit Phase 3 clinical trial applications in the U.S. and China within this year and aims for global commercialization by 2027. The global gout treatment market is expected to reach 5 trillion KRW by 2027.

Researchers at LG Chem's Life Sciences Division are conducting new drug research activities. (Photo by LG Chem)

The NASH treatment new drug 'LR20056,' currently undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials in the U.S., is an oral drug that inhibits the activity of the VAP-1 protein, which is known to be closely related to liver inflammation. Interim results of Phase 1 confirmed pharmacokinetics optimized for once-daily dosing and tolerability. LG Chem plans to complete Phase 1 within the year and apply for Phase 2 clinical trials in the U.S.

LR19021, a rare hereditary obesity new drug currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in the U.S., is the world's first oral MC4R (melanocortin-4 receptor) agonist that suppresses appetite by acting on satiety signals. It is being developed as an obesity drug with the advantages of oral administration and high target selectivity. Results from Phase 1 are planned to be announced within this year.

To become a global pharmaceutical company specialized in the anticancer field, LG Chem will focus its capabilities on expanding its anticancer pipeline and advancing innovative cell therapy platform technologies. The next-generation CAR-T cell therapy 'LR19023' is currently in the preclinical stage, showing efficacy in animal model tumors, and is planned to be developed as a treatment for solid tumors. Additionally, multiple myeloma, NASH, and diabetes new drugs are expected to enter clinical stages more actively within the year.

Head Son said, “Along with building a new drug portfolio, we will strengthen core competencies for global clinical development to secure global competitiveness.”