SK Corp. Launches Development of Cancer and Intractable Disease Treatments with Innovative Technology

Roivant Invests $200 Million in 'Targeted Protein Degradation' Drug Development and Platform Building
Fundamental Degradation of Disease-Causing Proteins...Bio New Drug 'Dream Technology' Expected to Innovate Intractable Disease Treatment
Anticancer Phase 1 Trial Expected Next Year, Aiming to Lead Global Market Through Rapid Commercialization
Enhancing Synergy in Technology and Production with SK Biopharm and Global CMO SK Pharmteco

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Investment holding company SK Inc. is leveraging innovative new drug technologies to collaborate with a U.S. biotech company in developing treatments for cancer, immune, and neurological diseases. SK Inc. is the first Korean company to enter the U.S. targeted protein degradation therapeutic market.

On the 7th, SK Inc. announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with Roivant Sciences, a U.S. innovative biotech company, investing $200 million (approximately 220 billion KRW) to jointly develop new drugs using the 'Targeted Protein Degradation' platform.

Targeted protein degradation therapeutics, which fundamentally break down disease-causing proteins, completely overturn the traditional drug development approach of inhibiting protein function and are regarded as a 'game changer' in new drug development technology. These therapies boast superior efficacy compared to existing drugs and do not have resistance issues, and if commercialized successfully, they are expected to significantly improve treatment levels for currently incurable diseases.

Roivant, SK Inc.'s partner, is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry with a business model that drastically shortens the traditional drug development process, which typically takes over 10 years, by utilizing AI and DT platforms along with clinical development expert groups. Since developing targeted protein degradation drugs requires extensive research on numerous proteins, an AI platform for fast and accurate research is essential. Roivant is the only leading U.S. company equipped with an AI platform and is currently developing protein degradation drugs for six disease-related proteins using AI, aiming for rapid commercialization based on its outstanding digital competitiveness.

SK Inc. and Roivant currently have secured industry-leading pipelines focused on cancer, immune, and neurological diseases. Among these, the cancer-targeted degradation drug has demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety and is expected to enter clinical trials next year.

Targeted protein degradation drugs have high market potential due to their outstanding efficacy and safety, prompting global pharmaceutical companies to competitively engage in research and development. While the traditional approach of inhibiting protein function only allows for the development of drugs targeting 20% to 30% of disease-causing proteins, the degradation method enables drug development for any protein, making it a dream technology with limitless possibilities.

Targeted protein degradation drugs are also highly valued in the investment sector. Leading first-generation companies have successfully listed on NASDAQ even before entering clinical stages, and the combined market capitalization of four listed companies?Arvinas, Kymera, C4, and Nurix?reaches 6.7 trillion KRW. Global pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Bayer, and GSK are also partnering with these companies for research.

SK Inc. plans to establish a global leading position in the targeted protein degradation drug market by combining its existing bio-pharmaceutical business capabilities with Roivant’s world-class expertise. At the same time, it aims to strengthen new drug development competitiveness through synergy with SK Biopharmaceuticals, a specialist in central nervous system drugs, and after commercialization, enhance global market competitiveness through SK Pharmteco, an integrated CMO corporation with production bases in the U.S., Europe, and Korea.

Jang Dong-hyun, CEO of SK Inc., said, “The protein degradation drug platform that SK and Roivant are building together uses AI technology to improve inefficiencies in the drug development process, and through this, we believe it can also create social value. Starting with this partnership agreement, both companies will strengthen cooperation to bring greater innovation to the global bio-pharmaceutical market.”

An SK Inc. official stated, “SK Inc., which has consistently invested in global leading bio-ventures such as gene editing technology, AI drug development platforms, and antibody drug development, has established an important growth foundation in the bio business through the partnership with Roivant. We will continuously seek growth engines in the high-growth bio business.”

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