South Korean biotech company PnP Biopharm is expanding its research scope into the bio-health sector with a focus on biopharmaceutical development. The company has partnered with Kyungpook National University Hospital to develop a dry eye treatment using its proprietary high-stability, long-acting growth factor. This project was selected for the 2022 SME Technology Development Support Program, organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, with research funding secured through 2024.

Developing a dry eye treatment poses significant challenges due to complex clinical trials and strict approval standards. The condition is highly sensitive to environmental factors, making clinical outcomes difficult to quantify objectively. Despite these challenges, the global market for dry eye treatments is projected to reach KRW 12 trillion by 2028, driving active research worldwide. However, no Korean biotech company has yet succeeded in developing an approved dry eye treatment.
 

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ support program targets promising companies in the BIG3 technology fields: semiconductors, the bio-health sector, and future mobility. PnP Biopharm was selected for its growth potential in the bio-health sector, reinforcing its research capabilities. The company will collaborate with Kyungpook National University Hospital to develop the treatment, leveraging its proprietary high-stability growth factor.

PnP Biopharm's high-stability growth factor is based on its proprietary Protein Optimization Platform Technology (POP Tech), which significantly enhances the stability of growth factors, enabling long-term storage in liquid form at room temperature. This advancement makes it possible to develop a liquid eye drop formulation for dry eye treatment.

Additionally, most current dry eye treatments on the market focus solely on anti-inflammatory effects and have limited efficacy in promoting corneal healing. However, PnP Biopharm's growth factor-based therapy is expected to deliver both anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects, offering more comprehensive treatment outcomes.
Shin Hang-chul, CEO of PnP Biopharm, stated, "This collaboration is a crucial opportunity to demonstrate the potential of our high-stability growth factor in developing a next-generation dry eye treatment. We are committed to positioning a Korean biotech company as a global leader in the bio-health sector."

Founded in 2011, PnP Biopharm is a leading Korean biotech company specializing in protein engineering. The company has developed advanced protein production (Vexpress) and stabilization platform technologies (Vexteel), supplying growth factors and peptides for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. With its proprietary Protein Optimization Platform (POP Tech), the company is pioneering innovations in the bio-health sector through the development of high-stability, long-acting growth factors. PnP Biopharm is also expanding its global footprint by supplying OEM products to partners in Japan and the United States.