HLB signs with Japan's OSCL for exclusive supply of C-Trelin ingredient

South Korea's pharmaceutical company HLB Therapeutics Co. announced on Thursday that it has entered into a business agreement with Japan's Osaka Synthetic Chemical Laboratories (OSCL) to exclusively receive the main ingredient Taltirelin for the spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy treatment C-Trelin Orally Disintegrated (OD) tablet.

With this agreement, HLB Therapeutics can expect stable ingredient supply and pricing, as well as anticipate the inclusion of C-Trelin in insurance coverage.

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is a disorder characterized by impaired functions of the cerebellum or cerebellar pathways, leading to difficulties in walking, limb motor dysfunction, speech disorders, and more. As of 2011, there were about 4,100 patients in South Korea alone. Apart from C-Trelin, there are no approved treatments for this disorder.

HLB Therapeutics obtained manufacturing and sales approval for C-Trelin from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2015. Afterward, the company conducted phase 4 clinical trials involving 149 domestic patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, confirming the efficacy in improving motor dysfunction.

Due to the high cost of its peptide ingredients, C-Trelin is currently categorized as a non-reimbursable item. HLB Therapeutics aims to pursue insurance coverage inclusion following this agreement.

"Through this business agreement, we anticipate improved ingredient supply and pricing advantages for C-Trelin," CEO of HLB Pharmaceuticals Park Jae-Hyung said. "As the sole supplier of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy treatment in the country, we are committed to rapid coverage inclusion with a strong sense of responsibility."

Write to In-hyuk Park at hyuk@hankyung.com