GI Innovation and ProGen signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for anti-aging research at GI Innovation's headquarters on Wednesday.

Under the MOU, the two companies will begin full-scale joint research centered on three core pipelines: GI-102 (GI Innovation) to enhance immunity, GIB-7 (GI Biome) to support muscle strength and improve the intestinal environment, and PG-102 (ProGen) to improve brain cognitive function.

“The XPRIZE organizers emphasized that various anti-aging combination therapies are essential for the ultimate victory,” GI Innovation CEO Jang Myung-ho said. “As PG-102 is expected to improve brain cognitive function, we will focus our capabilities to enter clinical trials as soon as possible to preempt the anti-aging market, which is expected to grow to 87 trillion won ($63 billion), and realize a true ‘healthy life span’ extension.”

ProGen CEO Kim Jong-gyun said, “PG-102 has demonstrated excellent tolerability in the ongoing phase 2 clinical trial, even in patients aged 60 and over, and we are focusing on its potential for clinical expansion in the anti-aging field. We will maximize its potential through cooperation with GI Innovation.”

GI Innovation CEO Jang Myung-ho and Executive Director Yun Na-ri attended the MOU signing ceremony, as did ProGen CEO Kim Jong-gyun and Director Kim Se-won.