Isu Abxis Files International Patent for Alzheimer's New Drug 'ISU203'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] ISU Abxis announced on the 10th that it has completed the international patent application for the Alzheimer’s drug ‘ISU203,’ which is being developed as a first-in-class innovative new drug.

In March, ISU Abxis secured exclusive rights by signing an exclusive license agreement with Kyungpook National University, the co-developer of ISU203. Subsequently, it proceeded with patent applications to secure international rights in earnest.

A company official explained, "ISU203 has completed patent applications under the PCT and in two non-PCT countries, Argentina and Taiwan," adding, "Since 12 months have not passed from the domestic patent application date, according to international regulations, the overseas patent application date is retroactively recognized as the domestic application date from last year."

The PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) is a treaty with over 150 member countries, allowing a single application to have the effect of direct applications to the patent offices of all PCT member countries. Argentina and Taiwan, which rank high in terms of the number of Alzheimer’s patients and GDP, are non-PCT countries, so individual applications were made.

ISU203 is an antibody therapeutic that inhibits ASM (Acid Sphingomyelinase), an inflammation-inducing substance that is overactivated in the blood of Alzheimer’s disease patients. By inhibiting ASM activity, it reduces neuroinflammatory responses and suppresses the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Last year, animal experiments confirmed the inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory marker substances and Alzheimer’s disease marker substances.

ISU Abxis is promoting early commercialization at the preclinical stage. This is a strategic move to solidify the value of ‘ISU203’ by establishing entry barriers through patents before proceeding with technology export.

An ISU Abxis official said, "Through long-term joint research with Kyungpook National University, ISU203 confirmed efficacy in suppressing cognitive decline in animal model experiments," and added, "Recently, reproducibility of the results was also confirmed through an external CRO (Contract Research Organization)."

The CDMO Jinscript ProBio is developing the ‘ISU203’ cell line and process under commission from ISU Abxis. It is expected to complete process development and begin production of preclinical samples in the third quarter of this year.

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