LG's autoimmune drug candidate wins Phase 2 clinical trial approval in China

LG Chem logo

LG Chem's LC510255 autoimmune disease drug candidate won approval to start Phase 2 clinical trials in China as an atopy treatment, the Korean chemical company said Wednesday.

The move came only four months after it was approved to start Phase 2 clinical trials as a treatment for ulcerative colitis. With the green light from China's National Medical Products Administration, the trials will be handled by Nanjing-based TransThera Biosciences.

In April 2021, LG Chem signed a deal with TransThera Biosciences for the transfer of technology related to the drug candidate. TransThera Biosciences got the exclusive rights to develop and market the treatment in China, while LG Chem maintains the rights in all other countries.

LG Chem will receive royalties on any future sales of the treatment in the Chinese market, though the amount has not been disclosed.

LC510255 is a new oral drug that promotes the expression of S1P1 (sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1), a protein that regulates hypersensitivity immune function. LG Chem already secured data that confirms its safety in the preclinical and Phase 1 clinical trials.

Around 70 million patients are suffering from atopic dermatitis in China, according to data provided by market research firm Frost & Sullivan. The global atopic dermatitis treatment market, which was valued at around $6.2 billion in 2021, is expected to grow to $24.2 billion in 2028.

"The participation of TransThera Biosciences will speed up LG Chem's global development of the new drug candidate," said Son Jee-woong, head of LG Chem’s life science business.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]