Huons Biopharma Selected for National New Drug Development Project for Macular Degeneration Eye Drop Therapy

Non-clinical Study Support for Eye Drop Therapy for Macular Degeneration

Huons Biopharma, a subsidiary of Huons Global, is accelerating the development of a peptide eye drop therapy for macular degeneration through a government-supported project.

Huons Biopharma Co., Ltd. announced on the 23rd that its non-clinical study for U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial approval of a peptide eye drop therapy, indicated for geographic atrophy caused by macular degeneration, has been selected for the “2026 1st National New Drug Development Project: New Drug R&D Ecosystem Establishment Research,” organized by the National New Drug Development Project Group.

On the 22nd, Huons Biopharma and the National New Drug Development Project Group held a project agreement ceremony for the National New Drug Development Project at the National New Drug Development Foundation in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Jeonghee Lee, CEO of Huons Biopharma (third from the left), and Youngmin Park, head of the National New Drug Development Project Group (fourth from the left), are taking photos with the attendees. Huons Biopharma

Huons Biopharma will receive research funding from the project group for the next two years, and will use it to manufacture the drug substance, conduct formulation and toxicity studies, and produce the finished product, all aiming for U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial approval of the eye drop therapy. The company plans to collaborate with Ora, a U.S.-based ophthalmology contract research organization (CRO), and other contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).

In December 2024, Huons Biopharma signed a technology transfer agreement with the Natural Product New Drug Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) for a peptide therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration. Since the signing, the company has been developing an innovative treatment for geographic atrophy based on this candidate substance.

Geographic atrophy is the late stage of dry age-related macular degeneration, in which retinal cells are lost and vision deteriorates permanently. Recently, two drugs for geographic atrophy have been approved in the U.S., but both are in the form of intravitreal injections (IVT), which can cause visual fear and discomfort for patients because the drugs are injected directly into the eye. Additionally, these treatments only slow the progression of the lesion and cannot restore vision, and there is a risk of side effects such as retinal vasculitis.

The eye drop formulation for macular degeneration being developed by Huons Biopharma is designed to selectively block retinal inflammatory signaling pathways, potentially replacing current eye injection therapies. The company expects this approach to improve patient compliance, reduce economic burden, and enhance convenience compared to intravitreal injections.

Jeonghee Lee, CEO of Huons Biopharma, stated, "We are pleased to receive support for the non-clinical study of dry age-related macular degeneration therapy through this national project selection," adding, "We will do our best to provide new therapeutic options for patients with late-stage geographic atrophy and deliver high-quality pharmaceuticals through our drug development efforts."

Meanwhile, the National New Drug Development Project is a pan-ministerial national R&D initiative aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of the domestic pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Since 2021, the project has supported all stages of new drug development for a period of 10 years, with the goals of reinforcing the domestic new drug R&D ecosystem, achieving global commercialization results, and creating public interest outcomes in the healthcare sector.

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