From birth to growth and living a healthy life, every person requires close care and continuous support. LG Chem provides various Life Science solutions to assist the beginning and growth of a life. Today, we introduce how LG Chem’s innovative Life Science products, such as infertility treatment, infant vaccines, and growth hormones, contribute to the healthy life of humanity.

Giving hope to infertile couples, Follitrope

The global infertility population is on the increase. According to WHO’s <Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990-2021> announced in April 2023, about 17.5% of the adult population experience infertility during their lifecycles. Since jumping into the business with 2 types of infertility treatment in 1993, LG Chem has launched a total of 7 products. The company’s staple product is ‘Follitrope,’ a type of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone. Follitrope inducts superovulation to develop numerous follicles.

In the past, collecting as many ova as possible was considered the most important, which is why drugs were used limitedly in the stage of inducing superovulation. Recently, implantation of a fertilized egg and maintaining one’s pregnancy have been revealed to be significant factors as well, calling for active research and development. In line with the recent treatment trend, LG Chem has expanded their R&D portfolio, which was focused on stimulating superovulation, to the area of pregnancy maintenance.

Hexavalent vaccine for infants, preventing 6 diseases at once

Due to their immature immune system, infants are more vulnerable to infection than other age groups. LG Chem’s hexavalent vaccine that can simultaneously prevent 6 diseases that are fatal to infants have entered phase 2 of clinical trial. In August 2024, ‘LR20062,’ a hexavalent vaccine based on acellular Pertussis(aP) began its overseas phase 2 clinical trial, getting ready to meet subjects to participate in the test. Followed by phase 1 clinical trial targeted at healthy grown-ups, phase 2 will target at infants 2 months or older, who are the actual subjects of the vaccine. It will be a comparative evaluation to confirm the safety and immunogenicity of ‘LR20062’ compared to the existing hexavalent vaccine.

‘LR20062’ is LG Chem’s hexavalent vaccine, simultaneously preventing 6 diseases that are fatal to infants: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, type B haemophilus influenza, and hepatitis B. The more diseases a combined vaccine can prevent, the higher level of R&D capability it requires. This is because the immunological interference reaction between each vaccine concentrate must be considered. LG Chem’s hexavalent vaccine has lessened the number of vaccination from 6 times to 4 times, compared to the universal combination of pentavalent vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine.

Eupolio, for the prevention and eradication of polio

Polio is a disease that may cause paralysis when poliovirus infects one’s nervous system. It is a highly infectious disease, mostly affecting infants under 5 years old. Currently, polio occurs in only 2 countries. However, unless we give the vaccine to every single child, we cannot feel relieved that they are safe.

LG Chem developed ‘Eupolio,’ a vaccine that can effectively prevent and eradicate polio. First time for an inactivated poliovirus vaccine(IPV), it gained Pre-Qualification(PQ) approval from the World Health Organization(WHO). Through their aggressive investment in its facility, LG Chem has secured an annual production capacity of over 60 million doses of Eupolio. In March 2023, the company signed a contract to supply $100 million worth of Eupolio vaccine to UNICEF for 2 years.

LB54640, a new drug for rare obesity

Rare obesity refers to becoming obese with a serious appetite control disorder due to a rare disease. In most cases, it occurs in one’s childhood, which highlights the importance of early management. Patients with rare obesity syndrome report defects in certain genes, like Melanocortin-4 Receptor(MC4R) which is essential for controlling their appetites. Suffering from this disease will only worsen their obesity, and in serious cases, they may avoid social activities.

LG Chem self-developed ‘LB54640,’ a Melanocortin-4 Receptor(MC4R) agent which treats rare obesity. In January 2023, the company transferred their global license to Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, who carried out a preclinical study and phase 1 clinical trial of LB54640. After confirming that there are no side effects, including skin pigmentation, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals set a high value on this MC4R agent. In July 2024, they entered phase 2 clinical trial with the very first subjects, beginning their development in earnest. Seeing that Rhythm Pharmaceuticals has pointed out ‘acceleration of LB54640 development’ as one of the 3 major missions to raise their company value, we can expect their active investment on the drug.

Eutropin, for the healthy growth of a child

Height is one of the indicators that tell us whether a child is growing healthy or not. When a child’s height is in the lower 3% of his/her gender and age group, or when the child is more than 10cm shorter than the average of his/her age, we call it ‘child short stature.’ Child short stature is caused by various factors. The child may be born small and fail to have a ‘Catch up growth, or Compensatory growth.’ Or, the child may have a Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). In some cases, the symptom may occur without a specific disease. Typical examples are ‘familial short stature’ caused by genetic factors and ‘constitutional growth delay,’ when the child’s constitutional features slow his/her growth down.

In 1993, LG Chem first presented Eutropin, a short stature treatment for children whose growth is slower than his/her age group. Following Eutropin, which is injected once a week, the company also launched Eutropin S in 2022, which is injected daily. Growth hormone needs to be self-administered every day for at least 1 year, and a stable supply of the product is essential. To secure a stable supply of Eutropin S, LG Chem invested more than $30 billion on internalizing the production process of a pen-type product. Furthermore, they converted all outsourcing processes to self-production, including the solution filling process. On the other side, the company developed EuDi app to effectively assist the patients with self-administration of Eutropin. The app enhanced the convenience of both patients and guardians across the whole process, from injection management to treatment effect analysis and requesting treatment supplies or consultations. (Click to see EuDi APP content)

From infertility treatment to hexavalent vaccine for infants, polio vaccine, rare obesity treatment, and growth hormone! LG Chem is concentrating on providing effective Life Science solutions for the entire lifecycle of a man, from pre-birth to growth after birth. For the healthier lives of the humanity, LG Chem will continue to expand their Life Science portfolio.