RudaCure signs KRW 15B development and investment deal with Hanlim Pharmaceutical for dry eye drug RCI001

Emerging bio-venture company RudaCure Inc. (CEO Yongho Kim) has signed a joint research and development and investment agreement with Hanlim Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CEO Jaeyoon Kim, Jeongjin Kim), a leading pharmaceutical company in ophthalmic drugs, for the dry eye disease treatment RCI001. RCI001, the contracted technology, is a drug that exerts powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through a mechanism that suppresses inflammatory activation, thereby alleviating dry eye disease. Hanlim Pharmaceutical decided to pursue joint research and development of this technology and invest in RudaCure after highly evaluating the commercialization potential of RCI001, based on its faster tear secretion, corneal damage recovery capability, and superior instillation compliance and safety compared to commercially available competing drugs. The total contract value is KRW 15 billion, comprising a fixed licensing fee, separate milestone-based royalties, and investment funds. Hanlim Pharmaceutical will be responsible for process development, GMP production, and supply of RCI001, and will secure domestic sales rights and a certain equity stake in RudaCure. RudaCure will focus on R&D including domestic and international clinical trials, as well as overseas licensing. RudaCure plans to leverage this partnership with Hanlim Pharmaceutical to accelerate its pipeline development and pursue global technology licensing, targeting successful commercialization of RCI001.

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