Daewoong Pharmaceutical Leads Development of 'Intestinal Mucosal Regeneration' IBD Treatment

License-In Agreement for 'INV-008' Worth 660 Billion Won Signed with Innovotherapeutics
Strengthening New Drug Pipeline for Gastrointestinal Diseases

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on May 13 that it has signed a licensing agreement with Innovotherapeutics for the next-generation inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment, 'INV-008'.

Sungsoo Park, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical (left), and Heedong Park, CEO of Innovotherapeutics, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing the contract. Daewoong Pharmaceutical

This agreement signifies that Daewoong Pharmaceutical has expanded its new drug pipeline from immunosuppressive-focused IBD treatments to a next-generation therapeutic area that directly regenerates damaged intestinal mucosa. Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to continue expanding innovative drug development in the field of gastrointestinal diseases by leading the development direction from the early clinical stage and pursuing an integrated strategy that includes expanding indications and global technology transfer.

The company explained that this agreement demonstrates Daewoong Pharmaceutical's open innovation strategy as a strategic partnership that goes beyond simple technology adoption and leads to tangible business results. By taking the lead in global clinical trials and commercialization, which require significant investment, Daewoong Pharmaceutical allows Innovotherapeutics to focus on AI-based candidate discovery and early research and development, while Daewoong Pharmaceutical secures clear business rights. The total contract value is approximately 66.25 billion won, including an upfront payment of 6.5 billion won and milestone payments of 656 billion won based on clinical development stages.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic, intractable disease that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is characterized by recurring symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, which significantly diminish patients' quality of life. Although various treatments have emerged, there are still limitations regarding long-term remission, prevention of recurrence, and mucosal healing.

INV-008 is an oral therapy designed to go beyond merely reducing inflammation by actively promoting the healing of damaged mucosa. It works by increasing the retention time of a substance (PGE2) involved in intestinal mucosal regeneration within the body. PGE2 recovery is promoted by inhibiting the action of the enzyme (15-PGDH) that breaks it down, thereby facilitating the restoration of damaged intestinal mucosa. Preclinical studies have confirmed its effects on promoting mucosal regeneration and improving inflammation, as well as its potential for safe development.

This represents a differentiated approach from existing biologics or JAK inhibitors that reduce inflammation by blocking immune and inflammatory signals. If combined with existing treatments, there is also potential to expand into a therapeutic strategy that targets both inflammation control and mucosal healing. As a regenerative therapeutic approach that promotes the recovery of damaged tissues, there is also the possibility of expanding into other disease areas where tissue regeneration is important, such as muscular disorders and osteoporosis.

Sungsoo Park, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "This agreement is a strategic partnership in which we will not only introduce new technology but also jointly lead development from the initial clinical stage and take responsibility for global commercialization. Through close cooperation with Innovotherapeutics, we will actively support INV-008 at every stage of clinical development so that it can establish itself as an innovative new drug with global competitiveness."

Heedong Park, CEO of Innovotherapeutics, said, "INV-008 is an innovative treatment that goes beyond suppressing inflammation to induce intestinal mucosal regeneration, offering a new direction for the treatment of IBD, including ulcerative colitis. Through our partnership with Daewoong Pharmaceutical, we plan to further accelerate global clinical trials and commercialization."

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