Daewoong Pharmaceutical has officially entered the competition to develop anti-aging treatments by securing key technologies from a U.S. biotechnology firm. The company aims to go beyond merely slowing aging, focusing instead on strategies that restore cellular functions at the cellular level.
On May 21, Daewoong announced that it acquired core technological assets from Turn Bio Technologies through an auction. This acquisition will enable the company to intensify its research and development (R&D) targeting aging-related diseases and expand its related pipeline.
The technology acquired is the 'ERA (Epigenetic Reprogramming of Aging)' platform, which delivers reprogramming factors in mRNA form to aged cells, helping to restore their functions. Unlike traditional complete reprogramming methods that risk losing cellular identity or causing tumor formation, ERA adopts a 'partial reprogramming' approach that selectively improves functional decline while maintaining the unique characteristics of the cells.
Based on this technology, Daewoong plans to expand its research focusing on indications closely related to aging, such as ophthalmic and auditory diseases. The company intends to leverage the experience gained by its affiliate, Hanall Biopharma, which has been collaborating with Turn Bio on joint research to accelerate development. Hanall Biopharma has previously established a partnership with Turn Bio and has been validating related technologies.
Anti-aging treatments are rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. According to the United Nations, the global population aged 65 and older is projected to reach approximately 1.6 billion by 2050. As aging accelerates, the burden of degenerative diseases such as dementia, macular degeneration, and hearing loss is increasing significantly. Consequently, there is a growing trend toward targeting aging itself rather than treating diseases individually.
Park Sung-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "Aging is an area that can change the paradigm of future medicine beyond individual diseases. With this technology acquisition, we aim to enhance our treatment strategies that address the root causes of aging and strengthen our global competitiveness."
On May 21, Daewoong announced that it acquired core technological assets from Turn Bio Technologies through an auction. This acquisition will enable the company to intensify its research and development (R&D) targeting aging-related diseases and expand its related pipeline.
The technology acquired is the 'ERA (Epigenetic Reprogramming of Aging)' platform, which delivers reprogramming factors in mRNA form to aged cells, helping to restore their functions. Unlike traditional complete reprogramming methods that risk losing cellular identity or causing tumor formation, ERA adopts a 'partial reprogramming' approach that selectively improves functional decline while maintaining the unique characteristics of the cells.
Based on this technology, Daewoong plans to expand its research focusing on indications closely related to aging, such as ophthalmic and auditory diseases. The company intends to leverage the experience gained by its affiliate, Hanall Biopharma, which has been collaborating with Turn Bio on joint research to accelerate development. Hanall Biopharma has previously established a partnership with Turn Bio and has been validating related technologies.
Anti-aging treatments are rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. According to the United Nations, the global population aged 65 and older is projected to reach approximately 1.6 billion by 2050. As aging accelerates, the burden of degenerative diseases such as dementia, macular degeneration, and hearing loss is increasing significantly. Consequently, there is a growing trend toward targeting aging itself rather than treating diseases individually.
Park Sung-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "Aging is an area that can change the paradigm of future medicine beyond individual diseases. With this technology acquisition, we aim to enhance our treatment strategies that address the root causes of aging and strengthen our global competitiveness."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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