Photos: Kwon Hyuk-jin, Yakup News
Yakup News published an interview with RudaCure CEO Yongho Kim on November 5. Kim said RudaCure aims to show that drugs for sensory disorders such as dry eye, osteoarthritis pain and neuropathic pain can also succeed both in development and commercially.
Dry eye candidate RCI001 is a small molecule that inhibits the activity of Rac1, a protein involved in inflammation. Its Phase 2 clinical trial plans were cleared by the US FDA in August 2025 and by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in September 2026. According to the article, the Korean Phase 2 study will first evaluate twice-daily dosing, measuring objective signs such as corneal staining score and tear break-up time (TBUT) alongside patient-reported symptoms. Interim data are targeted for March to May 2027.
In Korea, RudaCure is commercializing the candidate with Hanlim Pharm. RudaCure leads development through Phase 2, after which Hanlim Pharm takes on Phase 3, marketing approval and distribution. The company plans to pursue global licensing and an IPO based on the Phase 2 efficacy data.
For pain candidate RCI002, follow-up research found that it acts with a bias toward G-protein signaling at the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), and the mechanism of action has been redefined accordingly. RudaCure is first developing it as an intra-articular peptide injection for osteoarthritis pain and extending it to neuropathic pain. Whether it reduces opioid side effects such as addiction and tolerance will be assessed in non-clinical safety studies and clinical trials.
