Nexturn Bio Investee RosVivo Signs License-Out Agreement with RXBio

On June 2, Nexturn Bio announced that RosVivo, a US-based biotechnology company in which it has invested, has signed a formal license agreement with RXBio. The agreement will accelerate the development of miRNA-based diabetes and obesity treatments for both humans and companion animals.

RosVivo was founded in 2021 by Professor Noh Seungil of the University of Nevada School of Medicine. The company is developing treatments for type 1 and type 2 diabetes based on its miRNA (microRNA) platform technology. In the same year, Nexturn Bio became RosVivo's largest shareholder by investing approximately 5 million US dollars.

Song Myungseok, former CEO of Nexturn Bio and current CEO of both RosVivo and RXBio, stated that RXBio has completed two years of preclinical studies using RosVivo's pipeline to develop diabetes and obesity treatments for companion animals. With this license agreement, full-scale development will now commence. Song Myungseok has also been appointed as the new CEO of RosVivo this year and will lead the simultaneous development of treatments for both humans and companion animals.

RosVivo's core pipeline, 'RSV1-301', works by inhibiting miR-10a and miR-10b, thereby blocking genes that interfere with insulin production and action, while activating genes that enhance insulin sensitivity. Unlike existing GLP-1 class treatments, RSV1-301 has demonstrated in non-clinical studies the ability to reduce only fat mass while preserving muscle mass, without gastrointestinal side effects.

Noh Seungil, CSO, explained, "RSV1-301 restores the insulin production pathway in patients with type 1 diabetes and enhances insulin sensitivity in those with type 2 diabetes. By leveraging the multifaceted actions of miRNA, we aim to overcome the limitations of existing therapies."

This year, RosVivo is planning non-clinical trials of its diabetes treatment using pigs, whose anatomy closely resembles that of humans. If successful, discussions regarding technology out-licensing (License-Out) are expected to accelerate. Meanwhile, the new drug for companion animals is being developed through RXBio, with the goal of commercialization within two and a half years.

Last year, CEO Song received the 'Companion Animal Health Award' at the 2024 Korea Companion Animal Culture Awards and contributed to the industry's development by forming the 'Companion Animal Industry Promotion Council' in collaboration with the Korean Veterinary Medical Association and the Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN).

He emphasized, "Not only humans but also aging companion animals suffer from diabetes and obesity. Our ultimate goal is to obtain meaningful data from animals to contribute to the treatment of human diseases as well."

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as of 2024, approximately 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 worldwide are living with diabetes, and this number is expected to reach 853 million by 2050. The global obesity treatment market was valued at approximately 15.9 billion US dollars last year and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 22.31% to reach 60.5 billion US dollars by 2030.

Meanwhile, Nexturn Bioscience invested 12 billion KRW in CHA Healthcare through its subsidiary Nexturn Bio in 2023, and through its subsidiary Roll Korea, it acquired 2 billion KRW worth of GemVax's 10th series of bonds with warrants.