BioPlus and Pepzin Secure 'Peptide Platform Technology'... "Plan to Launch Patch-Type Obesity Treatment"

BioPlus announced on the 25th that it will enter the next-generation obesity and diabetes treatment market by acquiring technology from Pepzin.

On the same day, BioPlus signed a "Platform Technology Transfer Agreement Utilizing Peptides" with Pepzin. Through this technology transfer, BioPlus secured Pepzin's "Peptide Production Fusion Partner (PG-TAG)" and "High-Yield Peptide Production Technology (HYPER)," and plans to launch generic/biosimilar products of the obesity and diabetes treatment drug "Liraglutide" and a biobetter product of "Semaglutide" using the acquired technology.

Regarding Liraglutide, since its patent expired this year, the company is currently undergoing regulatory approval procedures aiming for a product launch in the first half of 2025. They added that by applying Pepzin's technology, they have drastically improved production yield and secured price competitiveness, planning to aggressively enter the market.

Semaglutide is scheduled to launch a biobetter product aligned with the patent expiration in 2028, and preclinical trials are currently underway. The company aims to enter Phase 1 clinical trials next year and plans to submit regulatory approval applications in 2028, according to the company.

For Semaglutide developed by BioPlus, a microneedle patch formulation was applied for patient convenience. Utilizing a cooling-drying microneedle patch manufacturing technology, the drug delivery rate penetrating the body is high, and protein denaturation does not occur, thereby enhancing drug stability.

A BioPlus representative stated, "This technology transfer is more than just a business expansion; it marks a turning point for us to evolve from a medical device company centered on HA fillers to a company equipped with innovative biopharmaceutical development capabilities." They added, "Starting with the launch of Liraglutide, we will establish our position as a manufacturer of obesity and diabetes treatments, and through the development of Semaglutide, we aim to become a global biopharmaceutical company capable of developing improved new drugs and novel drug substances."