GC Biopharma said Monday that it has signed a follow-up joint research agreement with Dong-A ST to develop new drugs for chronic inflammatory diseases using mRNA-LNP (lipid nanoparticle) technology.  

The two companies initially partnered in October last year to identify drug targets for chronic inflammatory conditions, entering into an initial research agreement focused on new therapeutic modalities.  

Under the latest agreement, the collaboration will focus on investigating the mode of action of selected drug targets and evaluating their efficacy and safety in preclinical models. GC Biopharma will synthesize mRNA targeting the identified candidates and optimize lipid nanoparticles for targeted delivery to specific tissues. Dong-A ST will analyze the mechanism of action and test the mRNA-LNP compounds in animal models.  

GC Biopharma has positioned mRNA-LNP technology as a key platform for next-generation drug development, securing proprietary technologies and patents in this area. The company is leveraging this platform to develop preventive vaccines, such as flu vaccines, and new therapeutic options. Through this partnership, GC Biopharma aims to expand the technology's applications to immune-related diseases.  

Dong-A ST, which focuses on treatments for inflammatory diseases, has been actively expanding its research capabilities. Since November last year, it has collaborated with the UMass Chan Medical School on gene therapies for chronic inflammatory conditions and, in January, acquired milk exosome-based oral nucleic acid delivery technology from KIST (the Korea Institute of Science and Technology) to develop treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.