Onconic Therapeutics

About Onconic Therapeutics

Onconic Therapeutics Inc., established in 2020, is a South Korean biotechnology company operating as a subsidiary of Jeil Pharmaceutical. The company focuses on the research and development of new drugs for gastrointestinal diseases and cancers, addressing significant unmet medical needs. Leading the company is CEO John Kim, a clinical development expert with extensive experience at global pharmaceutical firms like Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, LG Life Sciences, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical. His background in drug discovery, clinical trials, and business development has been instrumental in guiding the company's strategy.

The company's business model centers on developing innovative drug candidates and advancing them through clinical trials to secure regulatory approval and commercialization. A key part of its strategy involves forming licensing and distribution partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies to expand its market reach. This is exemplified by its significant licensing agreement with Livzon Pharmaceutical Group for its lead product in the Greater China region, a deal valued at up to $127.5 million. Revenue is generated through upfront payments, developmental milestones, and royalties from these partnerships, alongside direct sales in the domestic market handled by its parent company.

Onconic's flagship product is Jaqbo (zastaprazan citrate), a next-generation treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It belongs to a class of drugs known as potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), which work by directly binding to proton pumps to reduce gastric acid secretion. This mechanism allows for a rapid onset of action, immediate symptom relief, and a longer duration of acid suppression, which can be taken without regard to meals. Approved as Korea's 37th domestically developed new drug, Jaqbo has demonstrated a high healing rate for erosive esophagitis in Phase III clinical trials and has since received expanded approval for treating gastric ulcers. The company is also developing an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulation to improve accessibility for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Beyond gastrointestinal therapies, Onconic is advancing its oncology pipeline with Nesuparib (OCN-201), a dual-target anti-cancer drug candidate. Nesuparib simultaneously inhibits PARP and Tankyrase, enzymes critical for cancer cell survival and growth. This dual-inhibition mechanism is designed to be more effective than conventional PARP inhibitors. Nesuparib has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. FDA for pancreatic, gastric, and gastroesophageal junction cancers, highlighting its potential in treating intractable cancers.