Chong Kun Dang Partner Aclipse Signs Phase 2 Clinical Trial Agreement for Lobeglitazone with Mayo Clinic

Chong Kun Dang announced on the 27th that its global license partner for the novel diabetes drug lobeglitazone (brand name Duvie), Aclipse Therapeutics, has signed an agreement with the Mayo Clinic in the United States to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial of the gastroparesis treatment candidate 'M107' (lobeglitazone).

Under this agreement, the Mayo Clinic will conduct investigator-initiated clinical trials of M107 with research funding provided by Aclipse. The Phase 2 clinical trial, named 'LOGAST,' is scheduled to begin recruiting participants in the first quarter of 2026 and will be conducted at three Mayo Clinic campuses: Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida.

Exterior view of Chong Kun Dang headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Chong Kun Dang

Lobeglitazone is the main ingredient in Duvie, Chong Kun Dang’s independently developed diabetes drug, and was licensed globally to Aclipse in 2023 for the development of new indications.

Aclipse confirmed that lobeglitazone is an orally administered small molecule drug with anti-inflammatory effects and an excellent clinical safety profile. By increasing the expression of M2 macrophages, which suppress inflammation, and decreasing M1 macrophages, which induce inflammation, the drug is expected to regulate macrophage imbalance and has the potential to be developed as a treatment for gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a condition in which the emptying of food from the stomach is delayed in the absence of mechanical obstruction. More than half of gastroparesis patients are in a severe or worse condition, and it is known that two-thirds of patients are dissatisfied with current treatments. However, there are no drugs that fundamentally treat the disease, resulting in significant unmet medical needs.

Raymond K. Houk, CEO of Aclipse, stated, "Collaboration with the Mayo Clinic is a critical step in offering new treatment possibilities to patients with gastroparesis, a serious and chronic disease," adding, "Through this study, Aclipse expects M107 to become the first oral therapy capable of fundamentally addressing the pathophysiology of gastroparesis, and we will further strengthen our clinical development strategy in cooperation with Chong Kun Dang."

Kim Youngjoo, CEO of Chong Kun Dang, said, "Aclipse’s collaboration with the Mayo Clinic marks a meaningful advancement in Chong Kun Dang’s strategy to expand Duvie (lobeglitazone) beyond diabetes into new therapeutic areas," adding, "We plan to continue working closely with Aclipse to provide innovative treatment options."

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