[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] #G2GBIO, Inc. has secured an Australian patent for the core formulation technology of a long-acting obesity treatment it is jointly developing with Samsung Bioepis. The technology is designed to deliver a high concentration of semaglutide—the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s obesity treatment “Wegovy”—to ensure prolonged therapeutic effects.

G2GBIO, Inc. announced on the 13th that it has completed the registration of an Australian patent for a semaglutide-based sustained-release microparticle composition and its manufacturing method. The patent is titled “Sustained-Release Microparticle Pharmaceutical Composition Containing Semaglutide or a Pharmacologically Acceptable Salt Thereof, and Method for Its Manufacture.”

A sustained-release microparticle is a drug delivery technology that encapsulates a drug in microscopic particles to allow for gradual release within the body. The development goal is to extend the dosing interval and reduce the burden on patients. Currently, Wegovy is administered as a once-weekly injection, and developers of long-acting formulations are researching technologies to extend this to one month or longer.

The candidate compound covered by this patent is part of a project for which G2GBIO, Inc. signed a joint research and technology transfer agreement with Samsung Bioepis and EpisNex Lab last March.

At that time, the three companies agreed on the development and technology transfer of two candidate compounds, including a long-acting semaglutide formulation. Samsung Bioepis also secured the right of first refusal for up to three additional candidate compounds. The agreement included terms such as technology fees at each development stage and royalties based on sales following commercialization.

G2GBIO, Inc. is developing long-acting formulations using its proprietary microparticle drug delivery platform. This patent registration in Australia is significant in that it secures overseas intellectual property rights for the technology. However, patent registration merely secures rights to the technology and does not imply clinical efficacy or marketing approval for the drug.

Meanwhile, the announcement also provided an update on the status of the semaglutide joint development project previously conducted with a global pharmaceutical company.

G2GBIO, Inc. signed a joint development agreement for a semaglutide formulation with a global pharmaceutical company in January 2023 and has been conducting a technology evaluation since then. However, as the technology for this candidate compound was transferred to Samsung Bioepis, the company decided not to pursue further discussions regarding semaglutide with the original pharmaceutical partner.

However, this does not mean that the cooperative relationship between the two companies has ended entirely. G2GBIO, Inc. explained that it is continuing discussions on technical cooperation with the global pharmaceutical company regarding multiple new active pharmaceutical ingredients other than semaglutide.

A G2GBIO, Inc. official stated, “We are continuing technical cooperation discussions with this global pharmaceutical company regarding several new active pharmaceutical ingredients other than semaglutide,” adding, “Through this, we are expanding the scope of cooperation between the two companies and exploring new business opportunities.”