Celltrion announced Wednesday that it has entered into a license-in agreement with KoBioLabs, a South Korean biopharmaceutical company, for three microbiome-based drug candidates focused on treating intestinal disorders.
The signing ceremony took place at Celltrion’s Global Biotechnology Research Center, with Executive Vice President Seo Jin-seok and KoBioLabs CEO Ko Kwang-pyo in attendance.
The agreement, potentially worth up to 205.2 billion won ($136.8 million), grants Celltrion exclusive rights to develop and commercialize KoBioLabs’ candidates: KC84, KBL382, and KBL385. The deal includes an initial upfront payment of 1 billion won, followed by milestone payments contingent on clinical and regulatory achievements.
These drug candidates are the result of a collaborative research effort between the two companies since 2022 and signify the commencement of full-scale development targeting gastrointestinal conditions, notably diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).
IBS-D, characterized by abdominal discomfort and persistent diarrhea, currently faces limited therapeutic options primarily focused on alleviating symptoms, highlighting the critical need for treatments addressing the underlying causes.
Microbiome-based therapies are gaining traction as a promising avenue due to their favorable safety profile and low toxicity. Given that this field is still in its early stages with few approved therapies, it is viewed as a potential source for innovative, next-generation pharmaceuticals.
Through this agreement, Celltrion intends to diversify beyond its core antibody-based pipeline and establish a novel therapeutic approach in microbiome-based medicines.
“Our aim is to secure cutting-edge treatment options through microbiome-based drug development, addressing the unmet medical needs in intestinal diseases,” stated a Celltrion representative.
The company further emphasized its commitment to strengthening its portfolio with both innovative drugs and biosimilars, solidifying its position as a leading global biotechnology firm.
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