Yuhan Corporation’s non-small cell lung cancer treatment, Leclaza, has been named the Best Pharmaceutical Product at the inaugural Prix Galien Asia, a prestigious global life sciences awards ceremony.
Yuhan Corporation announced on Friday that Leclaza (active ingredient: lazertinib) received the award during the first Prix Galien Korea ceremony held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Thursday.
The Prix Galien, established in France in 1970, is a renowned recognition program in the life sciences field. It honors medical and life science technologies that have significantly contributed to human health, evaluating them based on criteria such as innovation, clinical value, and social impact.
This marks the first time the Prix Galien ceremony has been held in Asia. The event recognized winners in five categories: Best Pharmaceutical Product, Biopharmaceuticals, Medical Technology, Digital Health Solutions, and Startups.
Leclaza is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations. Its mechanism of action involves blocking specific EGFR signals that promote cancer cell growth.
The development of Leclaza is hailed as a prime example of open innovation, showcasing collaboration between domestic biotech ventures, traditional pharmaceutical companies, and global pharmaceutical firms. Yuhan Corporation acquired the candidate substance from Genosco, a subsidiary of Oscotec, in 2015, developed it, and then licensed the technology to Johnson & Johnson in 2018.
After receiving approval as South Korea’s 31st new drug in 2021, Leclaza’s use as a first-line treatment was expanded in June 2023. In August 2024, it gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the United States for use in combination with J&J’s Rybrevant (active ingredient: amivantamab).
Leclaza’s successful entry into the global market is particularly significant as it represents a cancer drug developed in South Korea overcoming the FDA’s rigorous standards.
This model of introducing candidate substances discovered by domestic biotech ventures, developing them at Yuhan Corporation, and then licensing the technology to global pharmaceutical companies has established itself as a leading success story in new drug development in South Korea.
Currently, Leclaza has obtained approvals in major markets including the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China, expanding its presence in the global prescription market.
A spokesperson for Yuhan Corporation stated that Leclaza is the result of collaborative innovation among researchers, medical professionals, patients, and the industry, aimed at providing better treatment options for lung cancer patients awaiting new therapies. It’s committed to expanding treatment opportunities for patients worldwide through ongoing innovative drug development.