Huons Group is actively securing future growth engines through research and development (R&D) by introducing external pipelines, forming partnerships, and making equity investments across its group companies.
Exterior view of Huons Group Pangyo Office Building, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province [Photo by Huons]
In particular, the group is focusing on ophthalmic diseases. Huons' eye drop treatment for dry eye syndrome, 'HUC1-394,' submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Phase 1 clinical trials in June, and the improved new drug combination eye drop 'HU007' has also received IND approval for Phase 3 clinical trials targeting dry eye syndrome in South Korea and is currently recruiting participants. HU007 is an eye drop developed to improve dry eye symptoms by combining cyclosporine, an anti-inflammatory ingredient, and trehalose, which protects the tear film. The Phase 3 trial will evaluate efficacy and safety by comparing it with Allergan's eye drop 'Restasis' in 328 patients.
Huons Lab is developing the Prolia biosimilar 'HLB3-013' and recombinant human hyaluronidase 'HLB3-002.' Recently, HLB3-002 confirmed equivalent efficacy to Halozyme's hyaluronidase enzyme-containing subcutaneous (SC) antibody drug formulation. The hyaluronidase drug market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8.6%, reaching $1.4 billion (approximately KRW 1.827 trillion) by 2026.
The development of the new drug 'HLB1-006' for short bowel syndrome is also accelerating. Short bowel syndrome is a rare disease caused by impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients due to a shortened small intestine. It leads to malnutrition when more than 50% of the entire small intestine is lost congenitally or surgically. In April, non-clinical efficacy results were presented at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), where the drug received an award for an outstanding paper in recognition of its excellence.
Huons Group is strengthening its R&D capabilities by collaborating with external expert groups through an open innovation strategy, aggressively recruiting talent, and expanding infrastructure. In particular, to create organic synergy based on Huons' pharmaceutical business and Humedix's aesthetics business, which are the group's core operations, it is actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and open innovation strategies.
Humedix is expanding new growth engines by broadening indications based on its core original technology for biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) applications. In addition to existing high molecular weight and low molecular weight HA, it is expanding its lineup to include ultra-low molecular weight HA raw materials, which are technically challenging, and through open innovation, it is extending its development areas to treatments for obesity, dementia, and hair loss. It is securing next-generation growth engines by signing joint R&D or pipeline introduction agreements with various R&D specialized companies such as HLB Pharmaceutical and G2G Bio.
Huons Biopharma continues to build on the domestic and international approvals of its botulinum toxin (BTX) product 'Liztox' (export name: HUTOX). Since its domestic approval in April 2019, Liztox has expanded its product lineup by increasing indications, and HUTOX has completed product registrations in 10 countries including Russia, Ecuador, and Uzbekistan. The company is also pushing forward with production capacity expansion. With an investment of KRW 70 billion, a new bio factory capable of producing 7 million vials annually is under construction in Jecheon, Chungbuk, aiming for completion next year. Combined with the existing production capacity of 6 million vials from Plants 1 and 2, the facility will have an annual production capacity of 13 million vials.
A Huons Group official stated, "We will continue to discover partners to promote medium- to long-term future growth and contribute to the venture ecosystem in the bio healthcare field by continuously expanding strategic investments and new pipelines through open innovation."
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