Is There Medicine for Dementia?...Innovations in Treatment Through New Drug Development and Data Standardization

[Financial News] The bio industry is now focusing on developing new drugs and supplements to address the needs of over one million dementia patients in Korea. Since there have been few effective medications for dementia, early detection and prevention have been considered the best strategies. The industry is now aiming to speed up research through global data standardization.
According to industry sources on the 27th, SK chemicals and Aribio recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand the development of the oral Alzheimer's disease treatment 'AR1001.' AR1001 is based on 'mirodenafil,' a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor developed by SK chemicals. Aribio has been developing this substance as a dementia treatment since acquiring the technology from SK chemicals in 2011.
GlobalData, a UK-based data analytics firm, noted that currently, the only available dementia treatments are the antibody injections Leqembi from Biogen and Eisai, and Kisunla from Eli Lilly and Company. However, it predicted that 12 late-stage drug candidates, including AR1001, are expected to enter the market in the near future.
There are also efforts underway to develop supplements that improve cognitive function. Recently, RPbio became the first in Korea to secure the raw material Curcumin, extracted from turmeric, which has been recognized for its ability to improve cognitive function impaired by aging. The company also holds exclusive domestic production rights for this ingredient.
Curcumin focuses on prevention by targeting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitive decline before the onset of dementia, rather than alleviating symptoms after diagnosis.
RPbio plans to continue developing optimized formulations using patented technology to address the chronic issues of low bioavailability and stability associated with turmeric extracts, leveraging its exclusive rights to the ingredient.
Efforts to conduct consistent and effective clinical research using standardized data are also gaining momentum. Neurophet, an AI company specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases, recently signed an MOU with the International Registry for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias (InRAD). Through this agreement, Neurophet and InRAD will expand their collaboration to establish global standards for clinical data related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
An industry official stated, "There have long been no clear medications for dementia, but with the recent emergence of new drugs like Leqembi and Kisunla, we now see the possibility of solutions for dementia treatment. Using these drugs as benchmarks, the industry is working hard to develop follow-up therapies. As the population ages rapidly, the number of dementia patients will continue to rise. We aim to develop new drugs and supplements that help maintain memory and prevent cognitive decline to prepare for the growing market."
kaya@fnnews.com Choi Hye-rim Reporter