Enzychem Lifesciences, led by CEO Son Ki-young, is conducting follow-up research on the candidate drug 'EC-18' for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS), where the intestinal mucosa is damaged due to radiation exposure.
Enzychem Lifesciences announced on the 4th that based on the initial efficacy verification results of EC-18 with the research team of Professor Kim Kwang-seok from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, they plan to conduct joint research using a Middle Eastern animal model.
In this study, the experimental group that received EC-18 after radiation exposure showed improved survival rates compared to the control group. Analysis of the intestinal tissue that forms the intestinal crypts also indicated a potential reduction in intestinal tissue damage and promotion of recovery.
Specific survival rates and statistical significance were not disclosed.
The research team also discussed radiation exposure conditions, timing, dosage, and duration of EC-18 administration. Enzychem Lifesciences and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute plan to further evaluate the intestinal protective effects and mechanisms of action in Middle Eastern animal models, which have physiological characteristics closer to humans than rodents.
GI-ARS is a condition where the intestinal mucosa is damaged following exposure to high doses of radiation, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, dehydration, infection, and malabsorption. It can occur in large-scale radiation exposure situations such as nuclear accidents, radiation incidents, or radiological terrorism, and there is currently no approved treatment.
It is difficult to verify the efficacy of a treatment using conventional clinical trial methods because intentionally exposing humans to radiation for testing purposes is unethical. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) operates the 'Animal Rule,' which considers animal study results as evidence for approval in cases where human efficacy trials are challenging.
Enzychem Lifesciences received orphan drug designation from the FDA for the development of EC-18 as a treatment for GI-ARS in 2017. In October 2024, they presented research results on improving intestinal damage from radiation exposure in the international journal 'Radiation Research.'
They have also conducted collaborative research on GI-ARS treatment with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the National Institutes of Health.
CEO Son Ki-young stated, “We have confirmed the potential for intestinal tissue protection with EC-18 and identified future development directions” and added, “We will gradually proceed with Middle Eastern animal research with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.”