OWH signs patent agreement with Eisai for pro-drug technology

OWH will leverage the technology to progress development of iOWH032, to treat acute secretory diarrhea.

The original pro-drug technology was developed at the University of Kansas and the exclusive patent right is owned by the KU Center for Technology Commercialization (KUCTC).

KUCTC licensed the patent to Eisai, and both parties agreed to Eisai sublicensing the rights to OWH.

OWH research and development vice president Tue Nguyen said: "While oral rehydration therapy is extremely useful, it does not treat the cause of diarrhea directly. Our new anti-secretory drug, iOWH032, is designed to work differently."