HLB Panagene said on August 3 that it recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement for peptide nucleic acid (PNA) products in Singapore with Chugai Pharmabody Research (CPR), the drug discovery research subsidiary of Japan’s Chugai Pharmaceutical, a member of the Roche Group.
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a synthetic nucleic acid that performs functions similar to DNA and RNA but features a peptide-based backbone. Its high stability and strong target-binding affinity make it widely used in genetic diagnostics and drug development.
CPR is Chugai Pharmaceutical’s drug discovery research institute in Singapore. The company develops innovative medicines based on its world-leading antibody engineering and cyclic peptide platform technologies.
CPR is best known for leading the development of crovalimab, the world’s first recycling antibody therapy for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
HLB Panagene said the agreement underscores the global recognition of its technological capabilities and product quality.
The company manufactures PNA monomers—the core raw material used to produce PNA—in-house and possesses advanced organic synthesis technology that enables the stable, large-scale production of high-purity PNA products.
HLB Panagene currently supplies PNA-based research and diagnostic materials and reagents to biotechnology companies, research institutes and hospitals in more than 50 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
In May, the company drew international attention at TIDES USA, one of the world’s largest conferences for oligonucleotide and peptide technologies, by presenting research on gamma PNA-based gene regulation that demonstrated more than 30 times greater efficacy than conventional PNA.
Through the agreement, HLB Panagene expects to expand PNA supplies to research institutes and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in Singapore by leveraging CPR’s extensive local network. The company also expects to broaden PNA applications across diagnostics, analytical testing and drug research and development.
“This agreement demonstrates that HLB Panagene’s technology, product quality and manufacturing capabilities have been recognized in the global market,” CEO Jang In-geun said. “We will continue expanding the value and applications of PNA across diagnostics, analytical testing and drug research and development.”