1ST Biotherapeutics Transfers Parkinson’s Disease Drug Candidate to SK Biopharmaceuticals
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- 2026-09-17 16:57:09
- Updated
- 2026-09-17 16:57:09
1ST Biotherapeutics announced on the 17th that it had signed a global exclusive license and strategic investment (SI) agreement with SK Biopharmaceuticals for 1ST-104, a treatment candidate for Parkinson’s disease.
Under the agreement, SK Biopharmaceuticals will pay 1ST Biotherapeutics an upfront payment of KRW 2.5 billion. Including a short-term milestone payment of KRW 2.5 billion upon selection of the drug candidate, total milestone payments will amount to KRW 72.5 billion. Including additional milestones, the total contract value could reach approximately KRW 430.8 billion. Separate royalties based on net sales will also be paid after commercialization.
SK Biopharmaceuticals will also make a strategic equity investment of KRW 3 billion in 1ST Biotherapeutics. The move goes beyond the introduction of a single drug candidate and represents an effort to establish a mid- to long-term partnership from the early stages of drug discovery and development.
1ST-104, the subject of the technology transfer, is a drug candidate based on a dual-inhibition strategy that simultaneously modulates leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and c-Abl, which are known to be associated with the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
In particular, 1ST Biotherapeutics has focused on developing next-generation Type 2 LRRK2 inhibitors to address the limitations of existing LRRK2 inhibitors. For some existing Type 1 LRRK2 inhibitors, lung-related abnormalities were reported in preclinical studies, making long-term safety a key challenge.
1ST Biotherapeutics developed 1ST-104 using a Type 2 mechanism and confirmed its target selectivity and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in preclinical studies. The blood-brain barrier is a protective system that prevents substances in the bloodstream from entering the brain indiscriminately. In developing treatments for brain disorders, whether a drug can reach the brain is a critical factor.
Since 2024, 1ST Biotherapeutics has also participated in LITE, an LRRK2 consortium operated by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), the world’s largest foundation dedicated to Parkinson’s disease research and support, continuing its related research and technology partnerships.
1ST Biotherapeutics CEO Kim Jae-eun said, "This agreement is an achievement that demonstrates 1ST Biotherapeutics’ capabilities in identifying next-generation targets and optimizing drugs. It is highly significant because it combines 1ST Biotherapeutics’ early-stage drug development capabilities with SK Biopharmaceuticals’ global development and commercialization expertise."
SK Biopharmaceuticals President Donghoon Lee said, "This partnership is highly significant because it combines 1ST Biotherapeutics’ early discovery capabilities with SK Biopharmaceuticals’ clinical development and commercialization expertise. We will connect the drug candidate we have secured to successful clinical development and create new possibilities for Parkinson’s disease treatment."
[email protected] Jung Sang-hee Reporter