HanAll Biopharma, Daewoong Pharmaceutical and NurrOn Pharmac..
- Batoclimab receives Orphan Drug Designation in Japan, advancing treatment for active Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).
- Batoclimab, subcutaneous formulation, offers the potential for at-home administration, improving patient convenience and accessibility.
- Phase 3 study to confirm the potential of batoclimab to address unmet needs of
patients with TED in process, with top-line results expected in the 2H 2025.
- ROCKVILLE, Md. and SEOUL, South Korea, March. 6, 2025
HanAll Biopharma Co., Ltd. (KRX: 009420.KS), a global
biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing innovative
medicines for patients, announced that Batoclimab, an anti-FcRn treatment being
developed for a range of autoimmune diseases, has received Orphan Drug
Designation (ODD) from the Ministry of Health, Labor and
Welfare (MHLW) in Japan for active Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).
The Orphan Drug Designation (ODD), granted by the MHLW, is awarded to drugs
and biologics intended to treat rare diseases affecting fewer than 50,000
people in Japan, with eligibility based on criteria such as patient population
size, medical needs, and the feasibility of development, and possibility of
development[1]. Currently,
it is estimated that approximately 35,000 people in Japan are affected by TED.[2]
“We are thrilled to have received Orphan Drug Designation
for Batoclimab in Japan, marking an important milestone in our efforts to bring
this promising treatment to patients in need,” said Sean Jeong, MD, MBA, CEO of
HanAll Biopharma. “This designation highlights the potential impact Batoclimab could have on
the lives of patients with TED. We remain dedicated to advancing the
development of this treatment and are focused on bringing it closer to the market.”
Batoclimab is a monoclonal antibody designed to target
and inhibit FcRn, which plays a crucial role in recycling IgG antibodies. By
selectively binding to FcRn, Batoclimab reduces the levels of harmful IgG
antibodies, offering the potential to treat a variety of IgG-mediated
autoimmune diseases. Being developed as a subcutaneous (SC) formulation,
Batoclimab is expected to allow patients to administer the treatment at home,
improving convenience and accessibility. Currently, Batoclimab is being
investigated globally for conditions such as generalized myasthenia gravis
(gMG), thyroid eye disease (TED), chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy (CIDP), and Graves' disease.
HanAll, with its licensee, is conducting a Phase 3 study
of Batoclimab in active TED. The study, which includes patient enrollment in Japan,
aims to confirm
the efficacy and safety of Batoclimab
as a potential new treatment for individuals affected by TED.
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), also known as Graves'
orbitopathy, is a rare and debilitating autoimmune disorder primarily affecting
individuals with hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease. TED is characterized by a
range of severe symptoms, including eye bulging, pain, double vision, and, in
some cases, vision loss. TED can severely limit daily activities such as reading,
driving, and working. In addition, many individuals face significant social and
psychological challenges, including concerns about their appearance, anxiety,
low mood, and social withdrawal. Currently, treatment options for those with moderate to
severe cases of TED remain limited, highlighting the urgent need for more
effective therapies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
About
HanAll Biopharma
HanAll
Biopharma (KRX: 009420.KS) is a global biopharmaceutical company with presence
in Korea, the USA, Japan, and Indonesia with the mission of making meaningful
contributions to patients' lives by introducing innovative, impactful medicines
to address severe unmet medical needs. HanAll has been operating a portfolio of
pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of endocrine, circulatory, and
urologic diseases for over 50 years.
HanAll
has also expanded its focus to immunology, oncology, neurology, and
ophthalmology to discover and develop innovative medicines for patients with diseases
for which there are no effective treatments. One of its lead pipeline assets,
HL161 (INN: batoclimab), an anti-FcRn antibody, is being developed in Phase 3
and Phase 2 trials across the world for the treatment of autoimmune diseases
including generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), thyroid eye disease (TED),
chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). HL161ANS (IMVT-1402),
another anti-FcRn antibody from HanAll, is being evaluated in Graves’ Disease (GD) and Rheumatoid
arthritis (RA).
Another
lead asset, HL036 (INN: tanfanercept), a TNF inhibitor protein, has commenced a
Phase 3 VELOS-4 study in the US and is also being evaluated in China for the
treatment of dry eye disease. Results from the Phase 1 study, HL192 (ATH-399A),
a Nurr1 activator targeting Parkinson's Disease (PD), have been released, and the preparation
s to initiate a next study in patients with PD is progressing.
For
further information, visit our website and
connect with us on LinkedIn. For
any media inquiries, please contact HanAll PR/IR (pr@hanall.com, ir@hanall.com).
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[1] Regulation by MHLW: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11120000/001285832.pdf
[2] Natsuko
W et al. J Endocr Soc. 2023 Nov 27;8(1):bvad148.