1 in 10 adults estimated to have 慢性疼痛 disorders... expected to increase further in super-aged society
Aiming to provide new options in the 疼痛治疗市场 with '离子通道-targeted therapeutics'
[BioTimes] The number of 慢性疼痛 patients is increasing worldwide. The 国际疼痛研究协会 (IASP) estimates that 20% of adults worldwide, and the 韩国疼痛学会 estimates that 1 in 10 韩国 adults suffer from 慢性疼痛. Some predict that as society transitions from an aging to a super-aged society, the number of 慢性疼痛 patients will increase further.
The problem is that while 疼痛治疗药 using narcotic or 非麻醉性镇痛药 shows generally good 疗效, the indications are not specialized, resulting in low 临床有效性. In particular, with increasing cases of dizziness, drowsiness, 麻醉性镇痛药 成瘾性, and misuse/abuse, new approaches to 疼痛治疗药 are being demanded.
RudaCure focused on the fundamental causes of pain while minimizing 副作用. The company aims to provide a new paradigm for the 疼痛治疗市场 with '离子通道-targeted therapeutics.'
We met with RudaCure CEO Yongho Kim, who is developing a drug targeting the TRPV1 (瞫时受体电位香草酸亚型1) 离子通道 that directly modulates pain-related 离子通道s in 感觉神经元.
Q: Please introduce the company briefly.
A: RudaCure was founded in 2018 and is developing new drugs targeting the TRPV1 离子通道, which plays a core role in 疼痛信号传导. TRPV1 is the most validated target in the pain field, and while many large 制药公司 have attempted development, achieving 疗效 while managing 副作用 has been a chronic challenge. We are developing next-generation treatments that overcome this through our proprietary approach.
Q: What are the main 管线s?
A: Our main 管线s are 'RCI001,' a 干眼症治疗药, and 'RCI002,' a 非麻醉性镇痛药. RCI001 indirectly modulates TRPV1 下游信号s to suppress 炎症, rapidly restoring both signs and symptoms of 干眼 within 4 weeks. We recently obtained FDA Phase 2 IND approval, allowing us to begin 临床试验 in 美国. RCI002 simultaneously targets both TRPV1 and MOR to achieve dual 镇痛效果, showing 疗效 at very low doses without the 成瘾性 risk of 麻醉性镇痛药.
Q: What differentiates you from competitors?
A: Unlike conventional TRPV1 antagonists that directly block the channel and cause 副作用 like 体温升高, our drugs indirectly modulate the TRPV1 下游 pathway to maintain safety while maximizing 疗效. This is the biggest differentiator. Also, our AI-based 药物开发 platform 'RuCIA' enables efficient development cycles.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: We plan to proceed with Phase 2 临床试验 for RCI001 in 美国 and 韩国, and advance RCI002 to Phase 1 临床试验. We are also pursuing global 技术转让s and are in discussions with multiple overseas 制药公司. Our mid-to-long-term goal is an IPO by 2027.