Most possess specialized expertise in obesity treatment target GPCRs
LO 추진 after announcement of blood cancer US Phase 2 clinical trial results
"The target of the obesity drug Wegovy, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), as well as most other obesity drugs targeting glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon, and amylin, are all G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). An opportunity has come for us to compete with what we do best."
Shin Dong-seung, CEO of GPCR, introduced the company's vision in an interview with Asia Economy. GPCR is a specialized new drug development company focusing on GPCRs, which account for more than one-third of drug targets. The company has secured target patents centered on the representative GPCR, selective CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR4), and holds multiple pipelines for blood cancers and solid tumors, genetic diseases, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and obesity, including multiple myeloma currently in Phase 2 clinical trials in the United States.
Since 2019, Dr. Pina Cardarelli, who led the development of the world's first immuno-oncology drugs Yervoy and Opdivo at the global pharmaceutical company BMS (Bristol-Myers Squibb) and served as vice president, has been serving as GPCR's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). In 2021, GPCR established a U.S. branch and is conducting research and development (R&D) that meets the standards and demands of global pharmaceutical companies.
CEO Shin said, "GPCR is a bio company that has a system capable of comprehensively validating targets and confirming mechanisms for any GPCR," adding, "Over the past decade, we have solidly built our capabilities in developing therapies targeting GPCRs, from basic target discovery to late-stage development, including Phase 2 clinical trials in the U.S."
Based on this expertise, GPCR plans to develop obesity treatments. Recently, Novo Nordisk's obesity drug Wegovy was launched domestically and has gained popularity. In the global market, Eli Lilly's 'Zepbound' is also expanding its market share. All of these drugs target GLP-1.
CEO Shin stated, "The strength of GPCR's drug development system has been verified through numerous papers and patents, and the pulmonary fibrosis treatment technology targeting the GPCR LPA1 was licensed to Bridge Biotherapeutics last December," adding, "Using the same system, we are currently developing obesity drug candidates targeting yet-to-be-commercialized targets, and given the strong interest in the obesity treatment market, we plan to pursue early partnering."
Research and development and technology transfer of existing pipelines will also continue. Currently, GPCR's most advanced pipeline is 'GPC100' combined with propranolol for blood cancers, which is in Phase 2 clinical trials in the U.S. It aims to improve the success rate of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma, which has recently shown decreased efficacy, and is expanding indications into the cell and gene therapy field.
He said, "Registration and administration of 10 patients, which is 50% of the target number, have been completed, and interim result analysis has begun," adding, "Once the official analysis results are released within this year, licensing-out (LO) discussions with potential partner companies who have been awaiting clinical results will enter full swing."
Meanwhile, GPCR is exploring collaboration with KOSPI-listed company HightroN. At HightroN's extraordinary general meeting of shareholders scheduled for December 5, CEO Shin Dong-seung is expected to be appointed as an inside director.
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