1ST Bio and D&D Pharmatech win US patent for disease-modifying Parkinson’s drug

1ST Biotherapeutics and D&D Pharmatech have secured a U.S. patent for NLY02, an oral small molecule in development for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, the companies said Wednesday.

The drug targets RIPK2, a signaling protein linked to neuroinflammation. In preclinical Parkinson’s models, NLY02 reduced inflammation and protected dopamine-producing neurons, which the companies say suggests early potential as a disease-modifying therapy.

“Through close collaboration, we’ve identified a previously unrecognized pathogenic mechanism in neurodegenerative disease and discovered a first-in-class candidate to address it,” said D&D Pharmatech CEO Lee Seul-ki.

The partners have been co-developing NLY02 since 2018, with 1ST Bio leading compound optimization and safety work, while D&D has handled clinical strategy. The companies said they are also in ongoing partnership discussions with global pharmaceutical firms.