Daewoong Racing with R&D, Launches mRNA Anticancer Drug Development

Daewoong Pharmaceutical (top) and Oncorus logos (Photo by each company)

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 5th that it signed a contract on the 4th with the U.S. bio venture Oncorus, which is developing a next-generation anticancer virus platform, for joint research and development and commercialization of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) drugs.

Through this contract, the two companies plan to conduct joint research to develop an intravenous (IV) treatment by finding an optimized formulation for Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s mRNA anticancer drug using Oncorus’s proprietary LNP platform. Oncorus will be responsible for the manufacturing, production, and optimization of the LNP formulation at its U.S. manufacturing facility. Daewoong Pharmaceutical will proceed with clinical processes including nonclinical development and commercialization.

Oncorus, established in 2015 and based in the U.S., possesses technology for developing self-amplifying ribonucleic acid (RNA) administered via IV and a proprietary LNP platform for in vivo delivery of mRNA. Oncorus’s 'ONCR-021' is an IV RNA therapeutic for non-small cell lung cancer and other cancers, which has completed preclinical trials and plans to apply for clinical trials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within this year.

Oncorus explained that while existing LNP formulations can cause complications during IV administration of RNA and nucleic acid-based drugs, Oncorus’s proprietary LNP platform offers improved tolerability, enhanced therapeutic range, and stable pharmacokinetic characteristics.

Theodore Ashburn, CEO of Oncorus, said, “We are pleased to develop a new LNP formulation for Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s mRNA drug development,” and added, “We will successfully develop mRNA new drugs through close cooperation with Daewoong Pharmaceutical.” Seungho Jeon, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, also stated, “We expect new possibilities to open in mRNA anticancer drug development,” and said, “Through collaboration with Oncorus, we will develop next-generation mRNA new drugs and contribute to improving patients’ quality of life.”