Daewoong Pharmaceutical is on the brink of securing a U.S. patent for a groundbreaking drug delivery technology crucial for developing ‘reverse aging’ therapies that aim to restore aging cells to a more youthful state.
The company announced on Thursday that the core ionizable lipid technology for their eTurna lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform, acquired from U.S. biotech firm Turn Biotechnologies, has received a patent registration decision from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
This patent covers the ionizable lipid structure and LNP-related technology used to deliver therapeutic messenger RNA (mRNA) to target cells. With USPTO approval secured, the patent is set for official registration following standard procedures.
In drug development, protecting and delivering mRNA to specific cells is critical, as mRNA rapidly degrades in the body. Ionizable lipids are key components of the LNPs that encapsulate and transport mRNA, directly impacting delivery efficiency and safety.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical intends to apply this technology to develop reverse aging treatments. The company acquired Turn Biotech’s intellectual property and assets in May, gaining access to the ERA platform for rejuvenating aging cells and its supporting eTurna technology.
The ERA platform employs partial reprogramming, a process that delivers mRNA reprogramming factors to aging cells. This approach aims to restore diminished cellular functions to a youthful state while preserving the cells’ essential characteristics.
As part of the Turn Biotechnologies acquisition, Daewoong Pharmaceutical also assumed the rights and obligations of a joint development and technology transfer agreement for the ERA platform, previously established between Turn Biotechnologies and HanAll Biopharma. This agreement has a potential value of up to 239 million USD.
Consequently, Daewoong Pharmaceutical has secured rights to future royalties and technology fees based on development milestones, regulatory approvals, and sales performance.
According to the patent specification, when the LNP was administered to human skin fibroblasts and aging tissues, it increased collagen VII expression (associated with skin regeneration), enhanced cell proliferation, and reduced aging markers. The technology also demonstrated promising delivery efficiency and cell survival rates in immune cells, including T cells.
Building on these findings, Daewoong Pharmaceutical is exploring opportunities to expand the technology’s applications beyond skin rejuvenation to address immune disorders and other age-related conditions that are currently difficult to treat. At present, candidate substances utilizing the ERA platform are undergoing preclinical research.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Park Seong-soo commented that this U.S. patent registration decision marks a significant step in bolstering the competitive edge in the global mRNA therapeutics market. It’s committed to accelerating the clinical progression of the preclinical pipeline and fast-tracking the development of innovative global rejuvenation drugs.