First Biotherapeutics (CEO Jae-eun Kim, hereinafter "First Bio") and D&D Pharmatech (CEO Seul-ki Lee) announced that they have secured a US patent for their jointly developed neurodegenerative disease treatment, "NLY02." This patent not only secures the intellectual property rights for the candidate drug but is also expected to serve as a key foundation for their future global technology transfer strategy.
NLY02 is an oral small-molecule compound currently in development for the treatment of degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. It exhibits a mechanism of selective inhibition of the neuroinflammation-inducing signaling protein RIPK2 (Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2). It is currently in preclinical development (IND-enabling studies) and its therapeutic potential is being evaluated in various animal models.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted this patent, recognizing that the NLY02 candidate is a novel compound structurally distinct from prior art technologies and offers novel and improved methods of application. This compound suppresses neuroinflammation and protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, demonstrating its potential as a fundamental treatment for degenerative brain diseases. This scientific evidence and the registered patent are expected to serve as the foundation for future new drug development and technology transfer strategies.
Since signing a joint development agreement in 2018, First Bio and D&D Pharmatech have collaborated closely, leveraging their respective expertise. First Bio is responsible for material optimization and preclinical toxicity studies, while D&D Pharmatech is responsible for clinical strategy development and trial design. They are also jointly discussing technology transfer opportunities with global pharmaceutical companies, including partnerships.
Kim Jae-eun, CEO of First Bio, said, “This decision to register a patent in the US is one of the results of verification of the innovative mechanism and structural differentiation of NLY02, and it is an important achievement that serves as a milestone for entering the global market.” He added, “We plan to accelerate development together with D&D Pharmatech with the goal of achieving US IND approval and global technology transfer in the future.”
D&D Pharmatech CEO Lee Seul-ki said, “Through close collaboration, the two companies have identified the cause of the disease caused by a new target that was previously unknown in the field of degenerative brain diseases and discovered new candidate substances that suppress it. This decision to register a patent in the U.S. is an important result of the efforts of both companies.” He added, “Similarly, we will continue to cooperate with First Bio to produce meaningful business results in the future.”
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