Daebong LS Achieves Synthesis of Obesity-Related Peptide Drug... Plans for Independent Technology Development Ahead

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Daebong LS, a company specializing in cosmetic materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients, is achieving meaningful results in research on respiratory drugs and chronic diseases to improve Quality of Life.

Daebong LS recently announced on the 11th that it has developed the country's first high-purity peptide pharmaceutical by combining eco-friendly 'Green Chemistry' technology with 'Sono Chemistry' technology during the development of chronic disease drugs.

Sono Chemistry is a chemical reaction applying ultrasonication, which can enhance and accelerate chemical reactions such as organic synthesis and catalysis. It increases the reaction rate by providing a large reaction surface area through very high pressure and high temperature effects (Cavitation) at the liquid-solid interface in heterogeneous systems.

Sono chemical reactions offer increased reaction speed and output, more efficient energy use, improved performance of phase transfer catalysts, removal of phase transfer catalysts, and enhanced particle synthesis. Economically and efficiently applied to organic synthesis reactions, it brings many practical effects such as improved yield, shortened reaction time, and simplified reaction operation.

Since separation and purification are simple and do not cause environmental problems, water can be used as a solvent instead of organic solvents, making it a useful field from the perspective of future green chemistry.

Using sono chemistry organic synthesis reactions, Daebong LS succeeded in synthesizing a biopharmaceutical called 'Liraglutide' by shortening reaction time and increasing manufacturing efficiency, and integrating green chemistry using eco-friendly solvents (ionic liquids) instead of water.

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analog obesity treatment drug that acts through the same mechanism as the human hormone Glucagon-Like Peptide 1. While the human hormone GLP-1 has a very short half-life in the body, liraglutide is about 97% similar to human GLP-1 and has a half-life of more than 12 hours.

When the hormone GLP-1 secreted through food intake is transmitted to the brain, it increases satiety and regulates appetite and food intake. It promotes insulin secretion from the pancreas in a glucose-dependent manner, removes excess sugar from the blood, lowers glucagon secretion, and plays an important role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels by preventing further sugar secretion into the blood.

Like human GLP-1, liraglutide acts on specific areas of the brain. By increasing satiety, it controls appetite, reduces hunger and food intake, leading to weight loss, and regulates blood sugar by promoting insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon secretion in the body.

Generally, liraglutide is synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. This method synthesizes peptides of the desired sequence by binding amino acids to a solid resin composed of polymers and functional groups. As the peptide sequence lengthens, purity and yield sharply decrease, and purification processes are required, consuming significant time and cost.

To overcome these drawbacks, Daebong LS solved the time-related issues of solid-phase peptide synthesis through the sono chemistry method. During the coupling process of fractionated peptides, eco-friendly solvents such as ionic liquids and co-solvents were used to efficiently increase reactivity, reducing the generation of flexible substances through relatively short and simple purification processes compared to conventional synthesis methods.

This resulted in improved purity, increased yield, shortened reaction time, and reduced manufacturing costs, developing a competitive process that can reduce production expenses.

A Daebong LS official stated, "Following the eco-friendly and sustainable green chemistry applied for the first time in Korea, we have completed a patent application (method for manufacturing liraglutide using eco-friendly solvents) based on innovative ultrasonic technology, Sono Chemistry," adding, "We are promoting technology transfer of our independently developed technology targeting domestic and overseas markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.