Joint development of long-acting therapies with G2GBIO KRW 20 billion convertible bond investment to maximize three-way synergy
Kim Kyung-ah, President of Samsung Bioepis (center), Hong Sung-won, Executive Vice President (left, CEO of Epis Nexlab), and Lee Hee-yong, CEO of G2GBIO, sign an agreement for joint development of new biological drugs and a technology platform and pose for a commemorative photo. Provided by Samsung Bioepis.
As global demand for obesity treatments surges, Samsung Bioepis has entered the development of next-generation obesity drugs. The strategy is to dramatically improve dosing convenience and reshape the landscape of the global obesity drug market.
Samsung Bioepis and Epis Nexlab, subsidiaries of Samsung Epis Holdings, announced on the 16th that they have signed a joint research and licensing agreement for obesity treatments with G2GBIO, a company specializing in long-acting injectable formulations. It is a three-party agreement involving Samsung Bioepis, a biopharmaceutical developer; Epis Nexlab, a bio-technology platform specialist; and G2GBIO.
The collaboration aims to secure a “long-acting drug delivery platform” that maintains efficacy for an extended period with a single administration, by utilizing the “microsphere-based drug delivery technology” owned by G2GBIO. This technology encapsulates the drug in micro-particles smaller than the thickness of a human hair, allowing it to be released slowly in the body and eliminating the burden of frequent injections required with existing treatments.
Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis has obtained exclusive development and commercialization rights for two candidates in G2GBIO’s pipeline, including an obesity treatment containing semaglutide. Epis Nexlab will conduct joint research with G2GBIO to build the platform, and the two companies have also secured preferential negotiation rights to additionally develop three new drug candidates.
On the same day, Samsung Epis Holdings also strengthened financial cooperation by investing in KRW 20 billion worth of convertible bonds (CB) to be issued by G2GBIO. The tripartite collaboration is drawing attention in the industry as it is expected to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation obesity drugs with significantly extended dosing intervals. The combination of Samsung’s capital and clinical capabilities with the innovative technologies of a promising venture is expected to generate strong synergies.
Kim Kyung-ah, President of Samsung Epis Holdings, said, “This agreement is a representative case of an open innovation strategy that maximizes synergies among affiliates under a holding company structure.”
Kim Jae-hyung
AI-translated with ChatGPT. Provided as is; original Korean text prevails.
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