SK Chemicals announced on the 29th that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a strategic partnership with J2H Biotech on the domestic and overseas development and commercialization of the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) treatment candidate “J2H-1702.”

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint development of a new drug pipeline in March. Since then, SK Chemicals has reviewed the technological and commercial potential of J2H-1702, and through this LOI has agreed to continue discussions on joint development.

MASH is a disease in which fat accumulation in the liver is accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. As the disease progresses, it can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is closely related to metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and global pharmaceutical and biotech companies are engaged in intense competition to develop treatments.

J2H-1702 is an oral new drug candidate that inhibits 11β-HSD1 (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1), an enzyme involved in cortisol metabolism in the body. The company explained that this candidate controls cortisol overactivation and thereby suppresses fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis progression in the course of MASH.

J2H Biotech has completed a phase 2a clinical trial of J2H-1702. In this trial, it reportedly confirmed early signals indicating liver fat reduction and potential anti-fibrotic effects.

Under this agreement, SK Chemicals will be responsible for domestic clinical trials and regulatory approval. J2H Biotech will handle production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and quality control. The two companies plan to continue consultations on domestic and overseas clinical development strategies and step-by-step development and commercialization plans.

Kim Jae-seon, CEO of J2H Biotech, said, “We expect that J2H-1702, developed with our proprietary technology, will be able to accelerate its domestic and overseas development through cooperation with SK Chemicals,” adding, “Building on this collaboration, we will demonstrate the value of J2H-1702 on the global stage.”

Park Hyun-seon, Head of Business at SK Chemicals, said, “MASH is one of the areas attracting strong attention in the field of new drug development, and through due diligence we have confirmed the competitiveness and scientific basis of J2H-1702,” and added, “Going forward, we will continue to expand our new drug pipeline by partnering with companies that possess expertise and technological capabilities in disease areas with limited treatment options.”

J2H Biotech is a new drug development company established in 2014. Based on its proprietary new drug development platform “OPTIFLEX,” it is developing new drug candidates in the fields of metabolic and fibrotic diseases and oncology.

Popular News