SK Biopharmaceuticals announced on April 3 that it has selected two promising startups in the Central Nervous System (CNS) field through an open innovation program launched in partnership with Seoul Bio Hub, a platform for biotech and medical startups. The company held a signing ceremony to formalize the collaboration.
This agreement marks the first concrete outcome of the open innovation partnership that SK Biopharmaceuticals forged with Seoul Bio Hub last November, aimed at bolstering domestic pharmaceutical and biotech research and development (R&D) capabilities. The two CNS-focused startups chosen are Novorex and Threebrooks Therapeutics.
Novorex specializes in developing LRRK2 inhibitors, a key Target for Parkinson’s disease treatment, using artificial intelligence (AI) based structural analysis technology.
SK Biopharmaceuticals plans to support Novorex in creating next-generation precision therapies with global competitiveness. This support will begin at the preclinical stage, combining SK’s expertise in global clinical trial design with Novorex’s precision Target capabilities.
Threebrooks Therapeutics takes a novel approach to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by activating autophagy mechanisms to clear cellular waste, addressing the root causes of these conditions.
This aligns with SK Biopharmaceuticals’ strategic focus on neuroimmunology and brain environment improvement. The collaboration is expected to yield innovative treatment solutions that stand apart from existing drugs.
Over the next year, the selected startups will receive comprehensive support from SK Biopharmaceuticals’ research team. This includes guidance on technology validation (PoC), development of R&D roadmaps for clinical trials, and strategies for navigating global regulatory landscapes.
Furthermore, a collaboration center will be established within Seoul Bio Hub to serve as a practical base for joint efforts. SK Biopharmaceuticals also plans to explore potential partnerships with other promising startups in the future.
Lee Dong-hoon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SK Biopharmaceuticals, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. This open innovation program allows them to share the global, full-cycle drug development expertise with innovative startups, creating mutual value, he stated. Its goal is to develop a pipeline of next-generation innovative drugs that can compete successfully in the global market.