Subcutaneous formulation technology, microbiomes and oncological assets drove dealmaking in South Korea’s biotech sector this week. 

United Therapeutics Corp. is eyeing a possible priority review in its anticipated supplemental NDA for Tyvaso (treprostinil) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after the second phase III trial hit its endpoints, even besting the impressive findings from the first phase III study reported last year, and positioning United for a substantial commercial launch in 2027.

Subcutaneous (SC) formulation technology, microbiomes and oncological assets drove dealmaking in South Korea’s biotech sector this week. 

Baseimmune Ltd. has announced its strategic expansion into fibrosis, with a new fibrosis-focused pipeline led by a program for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs gaining increasing attention due to their crucial role in gene expression regulation and influence in various cellular processes and diseases. miRNAs can be encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are released by most cell types to modulate gene expression in recipient cells.

Researchers at Calluna Pharma AS, Agiana Pharmaceuticals AS and Roskilde University have developed the first humanized IgG4 antibody that inhibits S100A4, which is a calcium-binding protein that helps drive fibrotic inflammatory diseases.

In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the lung tissue thickens and stiffens through proliferation of fibroblasts and invasion by inflammatory cells. One of the drivers of these processes is the enzyme autotaxin, which produces the signaling molecule lysophosphatidic acid. Several inhibitors of autotaxin have been reported, which show varying degrees of clinical potential.