바이오스펙테이터

by Sungmin Kim

G2GBio announced on the 13th that it has applied for a patent for Microsphere Injectables Containing 50%+ Peptide Drugs

G2GBio is a clinical-stage South Korean biotech company specializing in long-acting injectables (LAI) for various small molecule and peptide drugs, leveraging its Innovative Long-Acting Microsphere Platform (InnoLAMP) technology.

G2GBio will showcase its newly developed technologies and relevant data at the PODD conference in Boston on October 28, 2024, to actively expand its global partnerships.

For over 30 years, PLGA microspheres have been used as LAI drug delivery systems for various small molecules and peptide drugs. However, to avoid injection site side effects, the administration of PLGA microspheres has been limited in both dosage and volume, restricting their commercialization to high-potency drugs.

These limitations are even more pronounced in self-administered subcutaneous injectables, where microsphere volume must be kept under 100 mg and injection volume under 1 mL. Although many companies have sought to increase drug loading within microspheres to reduce the total administered amount, this remains a significant challenge.

Recently, G2GBio made a breakthrough, successfully manufacturing microsphere injectables containing 60% of the small molecule drug donepezil. Phase 1 clinical trials have confirmed a controlled release of donepezil for over a month, with no initial burst release. This marks a substantial improvement over the highest drug loading seen in commercially available microsphere injectables so far—J&J's Risperdal Consta®, a schizophrenia medication containing 38.1% risperidone.

Furthermore, G2GBio has successfully developed a new microsphere injectable platform using peptide drugs like semaglutide, cagrilintide, and tirzepatide for diabetes and obesity treatment, guaranteeing over 50% drug loading while suppressing the initial burst. Producing microspheres with high drug loading for peptide drugs is extremely complex due to its high water solubility and requires cutting-edge technology.

This achievement is even more remarkable given that the highest drug loading currently available on the market is 27.6% pasireotide pamoate—Novartis' Signifor®️ LAR, an acromegaly treatment.

After filing a related platform patent, G2GBio is set to accelerate its CDO and CDMO businesses. To date, G2GBio owns 116 patents, including 64 applications and 52 issued patents, both domestically and internationally.