On Oct. 31, Institut Pasteur Korea(IPK) announced that IPK and J2H Biotech signed an out-licensing agreement for a first-in-class hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug candidate. In 2013, IPK identified a Thiophene Urea (TU) compound series. Thiophene Urea (TU) inhibits HCV’s ability to enter into hepatocytes by targeting a viral protein, and it prevents cell-to-cell spread of the virus, thereby inhibiting the major route of HCV transmission in the liver. JaeSun Kim, Co-CEO, J2H, says, "IPK's HCV entry inhibitor will be an alternative way of satisfying the needs of many."


Source: Maeil Business Newspaper (November 1, 2016)