Daewoong Pharmaceutical "Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis New Drug Selected as One of the Top 10 Excellent National New Drug Development Projects"

New Drug for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis 'Bersiporosin'
Selected as an Outstanding Project in High Performance Field
"Phase 2 Study Completion Planned by 2025"

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 19th that the clinical research of 'Versiporosin,' a new drug under development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has been selected as one of the top 10 outstanding projects in the 2023 National New Drug Development Project by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF).

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 19th that the clinical research of 'Versiporocin,' a new drug under development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has been selected as one of the top 10 outstanding projects in the 2023 National New Drug Development Project by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF). On the 12th, at the awards ceremony held at Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Jiseon Lee, Head of Clinical Development Center at Daewoong Pharmaceutical (left), took a commemorative photo with Hyunsang Mook, Director of the Korea Drug Development Fund.
[Photo by Daewoong Pharmaceutical]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an intractable disease in which collagen abnormally accumulates in the lungs, leading to loss of lung function, occurring at a frequency of about 13 cases per 100,000 people worldwide. The prognosis is poor, with only a 40% five-year survival rate after diagnosis, and existing approved treatments have severe side effects, creating a high demand for new therapies.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s research on Versiporosin (DWN12088), being developed as the world’s first new drug, was selected as an outstanding project in the 'High Performance' category. The High Performance award is given to projects that achieve technology transfer results or reach milestone goals ahead of schedule. Versiporosin was licensed to the Greater China region earlier this year. Previously, the Versiporosin research was selected last September as a new drug clinical development support project under KDDF’s National New Drug Development Industry program.

The award ceremony was held on the 12th at the Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. At the event, Ji-seon Lee, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s Clinical Development Center, presented on the development background, competitiveness, and achievements of Versiporosin. Lee stated, "We plan to complete a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy in a total of 102 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients by 2025," adding, "Daewoong Pharmaceutical aims to enhance Versiporosin’s competitiveness through expanding indications beyond pulmonary fibrosis and global technology transfers."

Versiporosin is the world’s first PRS (Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase) inhibitor antifibrotic new drug developed using Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s proprietary technology. It works by reducing the activity of the PRS protein, which affects collagen production, thereby inhibiting the excessive collagen formation that causes fibrosis.

In Phase 1 clinical trials conducted in Korea and Australia, Versiporosin confirmed safety and pharmacokinetic properties in a total of 162 healthy subjects. Currently, multinational Phase 2 clinical trials are underway in Korea and the United States. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Versiporosin as an orphan drug and a fast-track development item. Drugs designated as FDA fast-track can consult with the FDA during each stage of the approval process.

Seungho Jeon, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, said, "We are pleased that Versiporosin, the world’s first PRS inhibitor antifibrotic new drug developed with our proprietary technology, has been recognized by the Korea Drug Development Fund for its drug competitiveness and commercialization potential." He added, "We will accelerate development to quickly enter the global idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment market and provide treatment options to patients with rare diseases."

Meanwhile, according to the global market research firm Research And Markets, the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8%, reaching $7.5 billion (approximately 10 trillion KRW) by 2030.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 19th that the clinical study of 'Versiporocin,' a new drug under development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has been selected as one of the top 10 outstanding projects in the 2023 National New Drug Development Project by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF). Lee Ji-seon, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Clinical Development Center, is presenting a case study of the outstanding research project.
[Photo by Daewoong Pharmaceutical]

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