BIONEER CORPORATION

Bioneer Announces Patent Approval for SRN-001 Obesity Treatment Composition in Japan, Following South Korea and Russia

 

- Plans to expand indications from antifibrotic therapy to obesity treatment following completion of Phase 1 clinical trial and advancement to Phase 2.

 

- Preclinical studies show approximately 70% reduction in visceral fat in obese mouse models compared to control group.

 

 

 

 

Bioneer Corporation and its subsidiary, SiRNAgen Therapeutics (hereinafter referred to as “SiRNAgen”), announced on the 26th that their siRNA therapeutic, SRN-001 (also known as SAMiRNA-AREG), has been granted patent approval in Japan as a composition for the prevention and treatment of obesity, following approvals in South Korea and Russia.

 

With this patent approval, SiRNAgen has demonstrated the effectiveness of SRN-001 in the prevention and treatment of obesity by targeting Amphiregulin (AREG). This innovative approach strengthens the company's competitive edge in the global market. Patent registrations have been completed in South Korea (10-2671315) and Russia (2810514), with Japan's approval now confirmed. Additionally, patent examinations are underway or have been filed in key markets including the United States, Europe, China, India, Brazil, Australia, and Canada.

 

SiRNAgen confirmed the anti-obesity effects of SRN-001 through preclinical studies in obese mouse models. Based on these findings, the company has jointly pursued patent applications with its parent company, Bioneer, aiming to expand indications for SRN-001 as a treatment for obesity prevention and management. SRN-001 targets the novel adipogenesis growth factor AREG, reducing its expression, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and differentiation of adipocytes. In obese mouse models, SRN-001 demonstrated a reduction in visceral fat by approximately 70% compared to the control group.

 

These results indicate that SRN-001 could play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of complications associated with visceral fat, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, diabetes, and other related conditions. The recently granted patent in Japan recognizes SRN-001 as an innovative composition for obesity prevention and treatment, based on a novel mechanism of action that suppresses the proliferation of adipocytes, unlike the existing GLP-1-based therapies.

 

Bioneer and SiRNAgen plan to further validate the potential of SRN-001 as an obesity treatment through additional research and clinical trials. The current obesity treatment market is dominated by GLP-1-based therapies, with Goldman Sachs predicting that the market will grow to $100 billion by 2030. SRN-001, being the first of its kind with a mechanism distinct from GLP-1, aims to expand its indications in Phase 2 clinical trials following the completion of the ongoing Phase 1 trial for antifibrotic therapy.

 

Moreover, SRN-001 is gaining attention not only for obesity prevention and treatment but also for its ability to inhibit the differentiation and proliferation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, a key factor in fibrosis. AREG inhibition has shown effectiveness in over 20 types of fibrosis, further proving the multifaceted therapeutic potential of SRN-001. The compound has already completed Phase 1a clinical trials related to antifibrotic treatment and has been supported by seven published research papers, demonstrating its potential.

 

A company spokesperson stated, "With SRN-001 proving its potential as a treatment not only for fibrotic diseases but also for obesity prevention and management, we will continue to develop and pursue commercialization based on this foundation. As the global fibrosis treatment market is expected to reach $100 billion, along with the obesity treatment market, we plan to strengthen our influence in these two significant markets through the expanded indications of SRN-001." ###

 

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