What is Chronic Inflammatory Disease?
Well known chronic inflammatory diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and degenerative brain disease.
They last longer and more repeatedly than acute inflammation, and are related to autoimmunity in most cases.
Market Size
Most chronic inflammatory diseases are closely related to TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha), which causes inflammation. TNF-α is secreted from various immunocytes, inducing inflammation, cell death and pyrexia. The market for injectable antibody therapies targeting TNF-α and the receptor is worth KRW 30 trillion a year.
RIPK1 is Different
Targeted therapy Suppressing TNF-α Signal Transduction
RIPK1 is a target that plays an important role in inflammatory signal transduction by TNF-α. Therefore, if RIPK1 activity is suppressed, TNF-α-induced inflammation can be prevented. RIPK1 target therapies have another important advantage. They can be taken orally unlike existing antibody therapies, greatly improving patients’ convenience.
Therapy Development Status
Competitors’ Progress
RIPK1 targeted therapy development is currently led by U.S. firms GSK and Denali. As of 2018, GSK is conducting phase 2 for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. Denali is conducting phase 1 on therapy for amyotropic lateral sclerosis.
Voronoi’s Progress
Voronoi has discovered nonclinical candidates, and is planning to work towards both chronic inflammatory diseases and degenerative brain diseases. We have secured a candidate with superior efficacy to GSK772, GSK’s competing compound for chronic inflammatory diseases. We also have discovered two candidates with high blood-brain-barrier penetration, and development is ongoing for degenerative brain diseases. We plan to select the final candidate and start clinical investigation in the 2nd half of 2019.
Possible Expansion to other Indications
TNF-α can be called the master key to inflammations. Researchers hope that oral RIPK1-targeting drugs will be highly efficacious for eye diseases such as xerophthalmia and macular degeneration, hepatocirrhosis accompanying chronic inflammation, acute pancreatitis and re-perfusion injury, which often causes problems in organ transplant.
(Korean) 이노엔, 보로노이서 ‘선택적 RET 저해제’ 도입…항암신약 개발 – 한국경제 BIO Insight
Sorry, this entry is only available in Korean.
보로노이, 美오릭에 폐암 치료제 7200억 기술수출
EGFR/HER2 Exon20 ins. 돌연변이 폐암 및 고형암 치료 뇌 전이암까지도 치료 가능한 정밀 표적신약 美 나스닥 상장사 ORIC에 7200억원 기술이전
(Korean) 2019 보로노이 심포지엄 성료…국내외 의학계 별들 모였다 – 한국경제
Sorry, this entry is only available in Korean.
VRN07, EGFR exon 20 insertion, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Voronoi’s VRN07 program aims to treat NSCLC by targeting EGFR exon 20 insertion. Voronoi aims to also overcome brain metastasis by developing brain-permeable compound.
VRN02, DYRK1A, Autoimmune Disease
VRN02 program is under development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, by inhibiting DYRK1A kinase activity. Series of animal experiments have suggested that VRN02 has efficacy for major autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and atopic dermatitis, and we are expanding into other indications. VRN02 is under development not only as oral pills, but also as topical formulation to apply on skin.
Scientific Advisor: Lillian L. Siu, M.D.
BMO Chair in Precision Genomics Professor of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
Scientific Advisor: Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD
Dr. Jänne is the Director of the Lower Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
VRN04, RIPK1, Autoimmune diseases
VRN04 program is under development for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, by inhibiting RIPK1 kinase activity. Series of animal experiments have suggested that VRN04 has efficacy for major inflammatory diseases such as acute lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, and we are expanding into other indications.
VRN06, RET, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Voronoi’s VRN06 program aims to treat NSCLC by targeting RET.
VRN08, TTK, Triple-negative Breast cancer
Voronoi’s VRN08 program aims to treat TNBC by targeting TTK. We plan to expand indication to other solid tumors like pancreatic cancer and brain cancer. As TNBC, pancreatic cancer, and brain cancer are areas where existing targeted therapeutics and immuno-oncology drugs have little efficacy, development of effective and safe therapeutics is urgently needed.
VRN03, Undisclosed, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer/Pancreatic Cancer/Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Voronoi’s VRN03 program aims to treat NSCLC, pancreatic cancer, and HNSCC. In the case of NSCLC, we are developing a combination therapy to delay the onset of resistance of the existing EGFR-targeted therapeutics.
VRN02, DYRK1A, Autoimmune diseases
VRN02 program is under development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, by inhibiting DYRK1A kinase activity. Series of animal experiments have suggested that VRN02 has efficacy for major autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and atopic dermatitis, and we are expanding into other indications. VRN02 is under development not only as oral pills, but also as topical formulation to apply on skin.
VRN01, LRRK2, Glioblastoma
VRN01 program is under development for the treatment of brain tumor, especially GBM (Glioblastoma multiforme) which is known to be the most malignant form of brain tumor, by inhibiting LRRK2 kinase activity.
VRN07, EGFR exon 20 insertion. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Voronoi’s VRN07 program aims to treat NSCLC by targeting EGFR exon 20 insertion. Voronoi aims to also overcome brain metastasis by developing brain-permeable compound.
Park Junil / Business Development(China and Emerging markets)
Before joining Voronoi, Mr. Park dedicated his career to Mirae Asset Private Equity Fund right after his graduation from Pecking University. Based on his 10 years of experience, he is contributing to Voronoi’s strategies for globalization and value creation.
“보로노이, 뇌연구원서 ‘우울증 치료물질 탐색 플랫폼’ 도입” -바이오스펙테이터
보로노이가 한국뇌연구원(KBRI)으로부터 뇌질환 신약개발을 위해 ‘우울증 치료물질 탐색기술’ 플랫폼을 도입했다고 20일 밝혔다.
Nathanael Gray and Eric Fischer along with Deerfield Management create new Center for Protein Degradation at DFCI
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Deerfield Management announced today an up to $80 million collaboration to create the Center for Protein Degradation at Dana-Farber to be led by BCMP Faculty members, Nathanael Gray and Eric Fischer,.
Molecular Modeling: a Foundation for Efficient Drug Development
A breakthrough technology that transformed the existing random and intuitive method, by making the targets and candidates for new drugs visually understandable.
Introducing Voronoi Bio
Dr. Son has developed compounds licensed out to global pharmaceuticals, and now introduces Voronoi Bio.
Brain Tumor
We are developing a new therapy targeting brain tumor stem cells, a cause of brain tumor relapse. We are working to treat GBM, or Glioblastoma, the most malignant form of brain cancer.
Alzheimer’s Disease
We are developing a therapy that targets both amyloid beta and tau.
Animal tests have proven that Voronoi’s candidate significantly suppresses them and
substantially improves cognitive function.
Chronic Inflammatory Disease
TNF- α is well known as a core cause of inflammation, accompanied by autoimmune diseases. Voronoi has identified a candidate compound that blocks signal transduction of TNF- α. We are now developing therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic psoriasis, xerophthalmia, macular degeneration and degenerative brain disease.
Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma
We identified a candidate that can overcome the EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor) resistance issues existing cancer drugs had. The candidate is being developed as therapy for lung cancer and various solid cancers.
R&D Platform
We lead next-generation therapy development based on advanced technologies and platform.
Collaboration
"Voronoi endeavors to open a new chapter in tumor treatment, giving patients new hope."
Nathanael Gray, PhD
Nathanael Gray is the Nancy-Lurie Marks Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
About VORONOI
Voronoi Group consists of the parent company Voronoi and its subsidiaries Voronoi Bio and B2S Bio. Voronoi leads clinical development throughout the R&D journey. Voronoi Bio focuses on R&D of molecular modeling and kinase inhibitor, and B2S Bio focuses on TPD.
Meet the experts
Our experts and the management bring to the team years of experience and expertise in various fields.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Developing Selective Inhibitor of 「Novel Kinase」 closely related to forming of Amyloid Beta and Tau Tangle
Targeted therapy for Lung Cancer, a Challenge to Overcome Resistance
Tagrisso, known as lung cancer patients’ last hope, has only 12.5 months of response duration. Voronoi is developing combination therapies to overcome resistance, and ultimately lung cancer itself.
Developing Next-Gen Innovative Drugs
We develop first-in-class and best-in-class global innovative drugs.
“하버드 다나파버·보로노이, 신약 공동 개발을 위한 연구 계약 체결”-매일경제
국내 제약 기업 보로노이와 다나파버 암센터는 항암 신약 개발과 퇴행성 뇌질환 치료제 개발을 위한 공동연구 계약을 체결했다고 23일 밝혔다.
“美 하버드 의대 암센터 기술 이식받는다, 보로노이 490억원에 이전 계약”-중앙일보
국내 제약 기업인 보로노이㈜는 미국 하버드대학 산하 다나파버 암센터로부터 파킨슨병 치료 후보물질을 기술 이전받는 계약을 맺었다고 밝혔다.
