LicenTec Selected for Bioindustry Technology Development Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] LicenTec, a bacteriophage company, announced on the 3rd that it has been selected as the lead research institution in the customized diagnostic and therapeutic field of the '2022 Bioindustry Technology Development Project' promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The goal is to develop ‘LNT103’, a new antibiotic drug candidate using bacteriophage-derived endolysin, as an inhalation therapy through a nebulizer. LicenTec’s Research Director Minsu Kim will serve as the principal investigator. Researchers from Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Boditech Med, and Osong Advanced Medical Industry Promotion Foundation will also participate. The research project will be conducted over a total of 45 months with government funding of 3.48 billion KRW. The aim is to complete preclinical studies and submit an IND during the project period.

The mortality rate from pneumonia caused by respiratory infections ranks third among all causes of death in Korea and continues to increase. In particular, pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has a low amount of antibiotics with antibacterial activity reaching the lungs, and increasing the dosage of antibiotics raises side effects, resulting in low treatment rates. The research team plans to develop ‘LNT103’ endolysin, which has excellent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria and does not induce antibiotic-resistant strains, as an inhalation therapy via a nebulizer. It is expected to be an effective treatment for pneumonia caused by bacterial infections.

LicenTec Research Director Minsu Kim explained, "The threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria resistant to existing antibiotics continues to be a serious problem," adding, "Due to the overuse of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths from infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are expected to surpass cancer deaths by 2050."

He continued, "The development of new-concept antibiotics is absolutely necessary," and said, "LicenTec plans to lead the development of new-concept gram-negative bacterial antibiotics using endolysin, an antibacterial protein from natural bacteriophages, by establishing various pipelines including injectable, inhalation, and topical forms."