As per terms of the deal, twoXAR will apply its AI discovery technology to identify a set of initial candidates to treat lung cancer through novel biological mechanisms of action.
Upon completion of screening, SK Biopharmaceuticals will use its internal AI Drug Design technology to advance a lead candidate and then carry out IND-enabling studies.
SK Biopharmaceuticals cancer research vice president Dr Cheol-Young Maeng said: “AI-powered approaches are pioneering new, more efficient ways to find promising new drug candidates and are enabling SK Biopharmaceuticals to build the next-generation pharmaceutical company.”
SK will hold exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of drug candidate.
twoXAR will secure an upfront payment, as well as eligible for development and commercial milestone payments and royalties.
According to SK Biopharmaceuticals, the two main types of lung cancer are small cell and non-small cell, which accounts for 10-15% and 85% of all lung cancers.
twoXAR co-founder and CEO Andrew Radin said: “We are pleased to be working with SK Biopharmaceuticals, who’s achieved remarkable success from discovery to filing for FDA approval, to combine our complementary platforms with a shared commitment to rapidly identify, validate, and develop novel treatments for lung cancer patients in need.”
SK Biopharmaceuticals is involved in the research and development of treatments for disorders of central nervous system (CNS) and cancer.
At present, the company is carrying out research to develop new drugs at its research center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, Korea.
It has a pipeline of eight compounds under development to treat CNS disorders such as epilepsy, sleep disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The firm’s cenobamate (YKP3089) is an investigational compound to treat partial-onset seizures in adult patients.
Based in Mountain View of California, twoXAR has computational platform to identify potential drug candidates, assist in preclinical studies and advance drug product candidates into the clinic through industry partnerships.