1 in 10 adults estimated to have douleur chronique disorders... expected to increase further in super-aged society
Aiming to provide new options in the traitement de la douleur market with 'canal ionique-targeted thérapeutiques'
[BioTimes] The number of douleur chronique patients is increasing dans le monde entier. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) estimates that 20% of adults dans le monde entier, and the Korean Pain Society estimates that 1 in 10 Korean adults suffer from douleur chronique. Some predict that as society transitions from an aging to a super-aged society, the number of douleur chronique patients will increase further.
The problem is that while traitement de la douleur using narcotic or analgésique non narcotiques shows generally good efficacy, the indications are not specialized, resulting in low clinical effectiveness. En particulier, with increasing cases of dizziness, drowsiness, analgésique narcotique addiction, and misuse/abuse, new approaches to traitement de la douleur are being demanded.
RudaCure focused on the fundamental causes of pain while minimizing effets secondaires. L'entreprise vise à provide a new paradigm for the traitement de la douleur market with 'canal ionique-targeted thérapeutiques.'
We met with RudaCure le PDG Yongho Kim, who is developing a drug targeting the TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1) canal ionique that directly modulates pain-related canaux ioniques in neurones sensoriels.
Q: Please introduce l'entreprise briefly.
A: RudaCure was founded in 2018 and is developing new drugs targeting the TRPV1 canal ionique, which plays a core role in transmission des signaux de douleur. TRPV1 is the most validated target in the pain field, and while many large entreprises pharmaceutiques have attempted development, achieving efficacy while managing effets secondaires has been a chronic challenge. We are developing next-generation treatments that overcome this through our proprietary approach.
Q: What are the main pipelines?
A: Our main pipelines are 'RCI001,' a traitement de la sécheresse oculaire, and 'RCI002,' a analgésique non narcotique. RCI001 indirectly modulates TRPV1 downstream signals to suppress inflammation, rapidly restoring both signs and symptoms of sécheresse oculaire within 4 weeks. We récemment obtained FDA Phase 2 IND approval, allowing us to begin essais cliniques in the US. RCI002 simultaneously targets both TRPV1 and MOR to achieve dual effets analgésiques, showing efficacy at very low doses without the addiction risk of analgésiques narcotiques.
Q: What differentiates you from competitors?
A: Unlike conventional TRPV1 antagonists that directly block the channel and cause effets secondaires like body temperature elevation, our drugs indirectly modulate the TRPV1 downstream pathway to maintain safety while maximizing efficacy. This is the biggest differentiator. Also, our AI-based plateforme de développement de médicaments 'RuCIA' enables efficient development cycles.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: We plan to proceed with essais cliniques de Phase 2 for RCI001 in the US and Korea, and advance RCI002 to essais cliniques de Phase 1. We are also pursuing global transferts de technologie and are in discussions with multiple overseas entreprises pharmaceutiques. Our mid-to-long-term goal is an IPO by 2027.