HK inno.N and Kine Sciences to Jointly Develop Sarcopenia Treatment
HK
inno.N and Kine Sciences to Jointly Develop Sarcopenia Treatment and Initiate
Phase 2 Clinical Trial
Joint
development of Sarcopenia drug candidate ‘KINE-101’ and accelerated plans for
phase 2 clinical trial in Korea
Expansion
of ‘KINE-101’ indications to Sarcopenia, following Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Anticipated
synergy with HK inno.N’s obesity treatment currently under development
Photo. HK inno.N CEO Darl-Won Kwak (front row, right) and Kine Sciences CEO Dae-Ho Cho (front row, left), along with researchers from both companies, are taking a commemorative photo to mark the signing of the joint R&D agreement.
HK inno.N is actively advancing the development of a Sarcopenia
treatment, accelerating the expansion of its portfolio in aging-related and
metabolic diseases.
On November 18, HK inno.N announced that it had recently signed a
joint research and development agreement with Kine Sciences for ‘KINE-101,’ an
inflammation-modulating peptide-based drug candidate for the treatment of
Sarcopenia.
Under the agreement, HK inno.N will lead the phase 2 clinical trial in
Korea for KINE-101, while Kine Sciences will handle the manufacturing of the
investigational medicinal product and provide technical support. Both companies
will collaborate closely to ensure a swift initiation of the clinical program
and secure commercialization potential in Korea, with the goal of entering
phase 2 next year.
‘KINE-101’ is a peptide derived from ERDR1 (Erythroid Differentiation
Regulator 1), a key protein involved in regulating inflammatory responses. It
is an innovative drug candidate with mechanisms that maintain immune
homeostasis and alleviate inflammation.
The compound has completed a phase 1 clinical trial in the United
States as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and a clinical study in Korea
for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). It has also
successfully completed preclinical studies for the Sarcopenia indication.
Sarcopenia is caused by various factors such as aging, obesity, and
metabolic disorders, and the number of patients is rapidly increasing as global
population aging accelerates. Among Koreans aged 65 years and older, the
prevalence of Sarcopenia is approximately 9.5% in men and 9.3% in women, and
the demand for related treatments continues to grow.
Under this joint development agreement, synergy in reducing muscle
loss through combination use with ‘IN-B0009,’ HK inno.N’s obesity treatment
currently in a domestic phase 3 clinical trial, is also anticipated. Most
obesity treatments currently approved or under development have the limitation
of causing muscle loss alongside weight reduction. KINE-101 is therefore
considered to have differentiated value as a muscle-preserving therapy.
Dalwon Kwak, CEO of HK inno.N, stated, “In preparation for an aging
society, we are continuously strengthening our portfolio of treatments for
chronic diseases. We are fully committed to developing a Sarcopenia therapy in
collaboration with Kine Sciences, aiming not only to secure leadership in the
Korean market but also to actively pursue global technology out-licensing.”
Dae Ho Cho, CEO of Kine Sciences, stated, “KINE-101 is an innovative
peptide drug candidate that restores immune homeostasis by activating
regulatory T cells (Tregs). It has demonstrated therapeutic potential across
various immune and inflammatory diseases. Through this collaboration, we expect
to successfully advance the development of a Sarcopenia treatment for older
adults.” (END)
(Reference
Information)
CIDP: chronic
inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Source of
Sarcopenia prevalence in Korea: Press release “Results of the 2024 Korea
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – Increase in Chronic Disease
Prevalence, Improvement in Treatment Rates,” Korea Disease Control and
Prevention Agency (KDCA), September 30, 2025.