HK inno.N ties up with domestic company to find new drug candidates using exosome

By Lim Chang-won Posted : May 27, 2022, 14:24 Updated : May 27, 2022, 14:24

[Courtesy of HK inno.N]

SEOUL -- HK inno.N, a pharmaceutical product maker in South Korea, will find new drug candidates using exosomes for the treatment of chronic diseases and acute respiratory infections in cooperation with a domestic biotechnology company that specializes in therapeutic molecules. 

Exosomes, which are recognized for their critical role in cell-to-cell communication and transportation, are small vesicles found in nearly all eukaryotic fluids and facilitate a variety of important cellular functions. An important function is to transfer DNA, RNA, and proteins to other cells. 

Exosome treatment is attracting attention as a next-generation biopharmaceutical due to its superior efficacy, small side effects, and high stability and purity. The market for exosome therapeutics has been growing rapidly, as many life science companies have launched tools and systems to support exosome research.

HK inno.N, formerly known as CJ Healthcare, said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Illias Biologics to develop exosome treatments. Illias is the first Korean company to enter a global clinical trial for exosome-based therapeutics and has received approval in Australia to initiate the first-in-human trial of ILB-202 exosome therapeutics for the treatment of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (AKI).

AKI affects more than thirteen million people annually worldwide. A rapid decline in kidney function characterizes the disease, and multiple conditions such as acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis can cause AKI. There is no approved drug with a clear therapeutic effect for AKI.
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기