Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Introduces Pediatric Myopia Drug Candidate 'NVK002'

Kwangdong Pharmaceutical announced on the 27th that it has signed a contract to introduce the pediatric myopia drug candidate 'NVK002' from Hong Kong's Zhao Ke.
[Photo by Kwangdong Pharmaceutical]

Gwangdong Pharmaceutical announced on the 27th that it has licensed the pediatric myopia drug candidate ‘NVK002’ from Zhaoke Ophthalmology, a Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical company specializing in ophthalmic drugs. The company plans to actively expand its ophthalmic drug pipeline targeting unmet medical needs.

NVK002 is a low-dose atropine sulfate solution indicated for pediatric and adolescent myopia. It can be stored at room temperature for over 24 months without preservatives. Currently, atropine is marketed as a high-concentration formulation of 1 mg or more, mainly prescribed for mydriasis. It acts on the central nervous system to dilate the pupil, which can cause hallucinations and excitement, so it is only used for patients aged 12 and older. However, since NVK002 is an atropine formulation that can be used in children, it is expected to become an effective treatment option once commercialized.

NVK002 was developed by the U.S. company Vyluma, which announced clinical results last October and plans to apply for product approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within this year. Through the contract with Zhaoke, which holds the Asian regional rights for NVK002, Gwangdong Pharmaceutical will have exclusive sales rights for import and distribution within South Korea.

Choi Sung-won, CEO of Gwangdong Pharmaceutical, said, “We expect NVK002 to play a central role in expanding Gwangdong Pharmaceutical’s ophthalmic drug portfolio,” adding, “We will focus our capabilities on continuous research and development and new drug acquisitions to create synergy with NVK002.” Li Xiaoyi, CEO of Zhaoke, also said, “We are pleased to establish a long-term partnership for NVK002 with Gwangdong Pharmaceutical, which has experience collaborating with various global pharmaceutical companies,” and added, “We are confident that NVK002 will develop into an innovative drug that suppresses myopia progression in more pediatric and adolescent patients across regions.”