[E-Daily Reporter Park Jung-Soo ] Shaperon Inc.(378800)announced on the 9th that a domestic patent has been granted for “NuPulin,” an oral drug candidate for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Having previously secured rights through European patent registration until 2043, the company has now expanded its global intellectual property (IP) portfolio with this domestic patent registration. Going forward, the company plans to strengthen its market exclusivity and competitiveness in technology transfer through an “evergreen” strategy aimed at securing follow-on patents covering salts, crystal forms, formulations, and manufacturing processes.
NuPulin has demonstrated superior anti-fibrotic effects compared to existing treatments in preclinical animal models. According to the company, its collagen deposition inhibition rate was approximately 60%, which is about twice as high as that of existing treatments. It also showed reductions in the fibrosis markers “α-SMA” and “fibronectin,” as well as improvements in the “Ashcroft score,” a measure of tissue damage.
Nupulin is an oral new drug candidate that blocks the activation of the inflammatory complex at an early stage. As its mechanism of action differs from that of existing first-line treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the company expects it to be used as a combination therapy or second-line treatment for patients who are refractory to existing therapies or who have developed resistance or relapsed.
Shaperon Inc. completed the Phase 1 clinical trial for Nupulin in March 2025 and confirmed the safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of the oral formulation. Based on these results, the company explained that it is currently pursuing discussions with global pharmaceutical companies regarding technology transfer and joint development.
A company official stated, “We have strengthened our global rights portfolio by completing patent registration in Korea, following our registration in Europe,” adding, “Based on the Phase 1 clinical trial results, we are actively pursuing discussions with global pharmaceutical companies regarding technology transfer and joint development.”