Huons’ oral peptide picked as national development project to fight obesity, diabetes

Huons said Tuesday that an oral peptide drug developed by its Central Research Institute was selected for the “2024 Material and Parts Technology Development Project (Package Type)” led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

In this development project, Huons will lead the development of production technology for finished oral peptide drugs based on new materials.

Chung-Ang University, Kookmin University, and Sungkyunkwan University will participate as joint research organizations to develop absorption promoters to increase bioavailability, secure formulation technology, and develop production process technology.

The project will run through the end of 2028 to secure technology for the independent production process of oral peptide finished drugs with improved bioavailability and convenience of taking medication. The five-year (three years in phase 1 and two years in phase 2) research project will cost 8.13 billion won ($6.06 million), including the government subsidy of 6.3 billion.

Through this project, Huons will simultaneously study a new patent-pending obesity treatment peptide (project name HLB1-015) and semaglutide (GLP-1 peptide), which is already available as an injectable drug, for treating obesity and diabetes. The company’s research center has secured the source technology for the oral peptide platform with increased absorption through prior research. It will conduct pharmacokinetic evaluation and nonclinical trials required for future approval, according to Huons.

“Through the national project, we will secure an oral peptide platform for obesity and diabetes treatment that attracts global attention and enters the global market based on domestic approval,” said a Huons Central Research Institute official. "We will do our best to provide high-quality, affordable medicines for diabetes and obesity patients.”