SK Biopharmaceuticals Introduces First Biotherapeutics' Parkinson's Disease Drug Candidate

Securing Exclusive Global Development and Commercialization Rights

Contract Value Up to KRW 430.8 Billion

Dual Inhibition of LRRK2 and c-Abl: A DMT Candidate

Strategic Equity Investment Worth KRW 3 Billion

SK Biopharmaceuticals is set to introduce a new drug candidate for the treatment of Parkinson's disease from First Biotherapeutics.

On September 17, SK Biopharmaceuticals announced that it had signed a license agreement with First Biotherapeutics, securing the exclusive global development and commercialization rights for the Parkinson's disease treatment candidate, as well as a strategic equity investment deal worth 3 billion won.

Stakeholders are taking a commemorative photo at the contract signing ceremony for the introduction of a Parkinson's disease new drug candidate between SK Biopharm and First Biotherapeutics. Photo by SK Biopharm

The license agreement consists of a contract payment of 2.5 billion won, milestone payments of up to 72.5 billion won based on research, development, and commercialization stages, and additional milestone payments of up to USD 260 million (approximately 355.8 billion won) according to net sales. The total contract value amounts to a maximum of approximately 430.8 billion won. After commercialization, SK Biopharmaceuticals will also pay ongoing royalties based on net sales separately.

The drug candidate in question is an orally-administered small-molecule compound that simultaneously inhibits LRRK2 and c-Abl. It is designed to target key pathological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease, including endolysosomal dysfunction and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein. The goal is to develop a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) that can delay or alter the course of the disease itself.

Currently, First Biotherapeutics is leading research to select a preclinical candidate. Based on the research outcomes, SK Biopharmaceuticals plans to review further development for future Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

This contract marks the first introduction of a drug candidate led by the SK Biopharmaceuticals Open Innovation Center (OIC). SK Biopharmaceuticals plans to implement its "East-West Bridge" strategy in earnest, aiming to discover new drug candidates in Asia, including Korea, and connect them with the company's internal development and commercialization capabilities.

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