Topadur Pharma cooperating with Juvic in South Korea

The biopharmaceutical company Topadur Pharma has launched a joint project in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, with Yonsei University and the medtech firm Juvic Inc., further details of which can be found in a press release. The aim is to improve disease management in systemic sclerosis. In particular, the project seeks to enhance treatment for patients who develop digital ulcers and suffer from Raynaud’s phenomenon

Systemic sclerosis is a rare inflammatory rheumatic disease. It is often associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is a vascular disease resulting in occasional narrowing of the blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the fingers. Other symptoms include episodes of pain, numbness, tingling and skin discoloration in the fingers. Patients have a high risk of developing digital ulcers, also known as finger wounds, which can be difficult to heal.

Topadur brings TOP-N53 to the table for this collaborative project. This is a drug candidate in the clinical phase that promises the ability to regenerate local blood flow. Juvic has developed biodegradable microneedles that facilitate intradermal administration of the active ingredient. These tiny needles penetrate the skin in a pain-free manner, before dissolving and releasing the active ingredient at the desired site.

The transnational collaboration is being supported by the governments of the home countries of the two companies involved. For example, Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology have contributed funding of 1.2 million US dollars to the costs of the project.

Topadur was founded in 2015 and is a member of the Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zürich. ce/gba