HLBPep and Novacell Sign MOU for Peptide Immunotherapeutics Development and API Supply

by Park Jeongyeon

Published 23 Feb.2026 09:56(KST)

Collaboration on the development of an oral ulcerative colitis treatment and the supply of raw materials

HLBPep announced on the 23rd that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Novacell Technology for the development of peptide immunotherapeutics and the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Shim Kyungjae, CEO of HLB Pep (right in photo), and Lee Taehun, CEO of Novacell, are signing the memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the development of peptide immunotherapies and the supply of raw materials. HLB Pep

Under this agreement, HLBPep will supply optimized raw materials during the development of peptide therapeutics and APIs being pursued by Novacell. The company will also have the right of first negotiation for the joint development of related candidate substances in the future.

The two companies plan to cooperate on the development and supply of peptide immunotherapeutics, including an oral treatment for ulcerative colitis, as well as on the development of peptide APIs and cosmetic raw materials.

Based on its own peptide synthesis technology, HLBPep plans to provide raw materials tailored to Novacell's new drug pipeline to enhance supply stability and to expand the scope of cooperation at the commercialization stage. Depending on project progress, the two companies plan to sign a main contract and gradually flesh out commercialization plans.

Shim Kyungjae, CEO of HLBPep, said, "Through this agreement, we have established a foundation for cooperation as a new drug development partner, going beyond raw material manufacturing." Lee Taehun, CEO of Novacell, said, "Based on our previous joint research experience, we will fully scale up our collaboration on the development of peptide immunotherapeutics."