Yuhan Corp. said it has signed a comprehensive R&D collaboration agreement with ProGen, a company developing next-generation obesity and diabetes treatments based on its bispecific antibody platform NTIG technology, to develop innovative new drug candidates.

Through this collaboration, Yuhan will strengthen its partnership with ProGen, and the two companies will work together to develop next-generation biologics and strengthen global market competitiveness through a new drug development committee comprised of drug development experts from both companies.

ProGen's platform NTIG technology is recognized for its ability to increase protein stability and blood half-life, develop multitarget fusion proteins and dual-target ADCs, and is highly scalable for various diseases. Under the agreement, an immuno-oncology bispecific antibody has been selected as the first joint development project between the two companies, and discussions are underway to select subsequent joint development projects.

"Through this comprehensive R&D collaboration agreement, we will continue to exchange technologies and collaborate with ProGen," Yuhan Corp. CEO Cho Wook-je said. "We look forward to securing a pipeline of globally competitive and innovative drugs."