LG Chem 'LC510255', From Colitis to Atopy... Approved for Phase 2 Clinical Trial in China

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] LG Chem's autoimmune disease drug candidate 'LC510255' is aiming to expand its indications from ulcerative colitis to atopic dermatitis.

LG Chem announced on the 20th that its Chinese partner, TransThera Biosciences, which licensed LC510255, has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for a Phase 2 clinical trial targeting patients with atopic dermatitis. This clinical approval for indication expansion was granted just four months after receiving Phase 2 approval for ulcerative colitis patients in December last year.

LC510255 is an oral drug that promotes the expression of the hypersensitive immune function regulatory protein 'Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1)'. LG Chem confirmed the drug’s efficacy in suppressing hyperimmune responses, safety, and high selectivity for the S1P1 protein through preclinical and Phase 1 clinical trials. In April last year, LG Chem successfully licensed the development and commercialization rights in China to TransThera. With this new clinical approval for indication expansion, LG Chem is expected to receive additional milestone payments upon the first patient dosing in the clinical trial.

Based on its global development and commercialization rights outside China, LG Chem plans to initiate domestic and international global Phase 2 clinical trials for the atopic dermatitis indication starting next year. If both companies successfully complete their respective Phase 2 trials, they plan to proceed to Phase 3 clinical trials.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the number of atopic dermatitis patients in China is estimated at around 70 million, which exceeds the population of South Korea (approximately 51 million). Furthermore, according to GlobalData, the global market size for atopic dermatitis treatments is expected to grow rapidly from $6.2 billion (about 7.6849 trillion KRW) last year to $24.2 billion (about 30 trillion KRW) by 2028, approximately a fourfold increase.

Son Ji-woong, Head of LG Chem’s Life Sciences Business Division, said, “With TransThera’s participation in developing the atopic dermatitis drug, LG Chem’s global clinical development will accelerate significantly,” adding, “We will secure global business competitiveness by strengthening our strategic disease portfolio and advancing development.”

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