HK inno.N's indigenously developed drug K-CAB (tegoprazan) has been recognized as an outstanding technology that has contributed to the development of the Korean industry. 

On Tuesday, HK inno.N announced that K-CAB, a new drug for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), has been selected as an outstanding technology in the life sciences sector in the "2023 Industrial Technology Achievements," which led the Korean industry this year, as announced by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK.

NAEK is an academic research organization established to promote the advancement of engineering and technology. It has selected and announced outstanding technologies in various industries every year since 2006 to share the latest technologies and industry trends. 

This year, it selected 14 technologies as excellent ones after evaluating their future growth, market contribution, and social impact in electricity and electronics, energy and materials, mobility, construction, environment, and life sciences.

In the life sciences sector, the only new drug for GERD, K-CAB, was chosen. K-CAB, Korea's 30th new drug, is a next-generation P-CAB-based treatment that overcomes the limitations of existing treatments. It was recognized as an excellent technology because it contributes to reducing economic and industrial losses by improving the quality of life of patients through the treatment of underlying diseases and enhancing people's health.

K-CAB has quickly established itself in the market with advantages, including a rapid onset of effect within 30 minutes of taking it, excellent persistence of effect, administration regardless of mealtime, and safety and efficacy confirmation even when taken for six months. Since its launch in 2019, K-CAB's cumulative prescription revenue in Korea was 350.3 billion won ($261.4 million), making it the No. 1 GERD treatment in the market for five consecutive years.

The company is also accelerating its global expansion. Following the signing of technology export contracts with the U.S. and China, the first and second pharmaceutical markets in the world, it has also entered Brazil and Mexico, the largest and second-largest countries in Latin America. It has entered 35 countries as a blockbuster domestic drug. The company is conducting phase 3 clinical trials in the United States, according to HK inno.N.

The company added that to enhance its technological competitiveness further, K-CAB is conducting clinical research, patent registration, and expanding various formulations and indications.

Currently, there are more than 80 ongoing and completed clinical studies and more than 50 articles published in leading domestic and international journals. More than 450 patents have been registered or pending worldwide, it said.

The company also conducts indication research and has the most indications among domestic P-CAB products. In addition to tablets, the company has developed an oral disintegrating tablet (a formulation that dissolves in the mouth) to improve the convenience of taking it. It is also developing an injection to treat emergency patients.

"K-CAB is an excellent concentration of Korean drug R&D technology and is expected to grow into a global blockbuster drug," HK inno.N CEO Kwak Dal-won said. "As a leader in the next-generation P-CAB series, we will contribute to improving the quality of life of patients through continuous R&D, as well as diversification of formulations and dosages, while further enhancing the competitiveness of Korean drugs."