Humedics Secures Exclusive Domestic Distribution Rights for Osteoarthritis Treatment 'E1K'

Huons Group's Humedics announced on the 27th that on the 26th, it signed a business agreement for the exclusive domestic distribution rights of the osteoarthritis treatment 'Engedi1000 (E1K)' with Ensol BioScience at the Huons Group headquarters in Pangyo, Seongnam, thereby strengthening its osteoarthritis treatment business.

At the exclusive sales contract signing ceremony for the osteoarthritis treatment 'E1K' between Humedics and Ensol Bioscience held on the 26th, Jin-hwan Kim, CEO of Humedics, Sung-tae Yoon, Chairman of Huons Group, and Hae-jin Kim, CEO of Ensol Bioscience, are posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Humedics

Through this agreement, Humedics secures the exclusive domestic sales rights for E1K, which is currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials, while Ensol BioScience will receive a milestone payment of 8 billion KRW and royalties on sales according to the subsequent clinical and approval schedule of E1K.

E1K is a short peptide composed of five bio-derived amino acids with a dual mechanism of action that reduces pain and regenerates cartilage. It works by suppressing the expression of the pain factor nerve growth factor (NGF) gene, which is increased by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 (β1), thereby reducing pain. Currently, Phase 1b clinical trials for cartilage regeneration effects (DMOAD) and Phase 2 clinical trials for pain treatment are being conducted simultaneously. According to the cartilage regeneration Phase 1b clinical trial results announced in May, safety, pain reduction compared to placebo, and the potential for cartilage regeneration were confirmed. The company claims that the market launch is planned for 2027 after completing Phase 3 clinical trials.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, as of 2020, the number of degenerative arthritis patients in South Korea reached 3.8 million, and the number of patients receiving intra-articular injections increased from 1.93 million in 2015 to 2.43 million in 2020.

Jinhwan Kim, CEO of Humedics, said, "Based on the judgment that Ensol BioScience's new drug development technology and potential are significant, we proactively secured the exclusive domestic distribution rights for the osteoarthritis treatment. We will work closely with Ensol BioScience to ensure the successful market launch of E1K." Haejin Kim, CEO of Ensol BioScience, also stated, "Although there are currently cell therapies approved for osteoarthritis treatment, they are expensive and require long treatment periods, causing considerable inconvenience to patients. E1K can reduce pain and regenerate cartilage with just a single injection, and it offers treatment at a lower cost compared to cell therapies."

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