In a landmark development for the Korean pharmaceutical industry, Yuhan Corporation's lung cancer treatment Leclaza (lazertinib) has secured US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, establishing itself as the first Korean-developed anticancer drug to enter the American market. The approval, granted in August, marks a significant milestone in the global expansion of Korean pharmaceutical innovations.
Superior Clinical Performance in NSCLC Treatment
Leclaza, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with confirmed EGFR mutations. The LASER 301 study highlighted the drug's strong anticancer effects and excellent tolerability profile, positioning it favorably against its established competitor, Tagrisso (osimertinib).
Strategic Partnership Enhances Treatment Options
The drug's potential has been further amplified through its combination therapy with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine's bispecific antibody drug Rybrevant (amivantamab). Recent results from the MARIPOSA study have shown that this combination significantly expands first-line treatment options for NSCLC patients, strengthening Leclaza's position in the global oncology market.
Collaborative Innovation Success Story
The journey of Leclaza represents a triumph of collaborative innovation in drug development. The initial candidate molecule, sourced from Oscotec's subsidiary Genosco, was developed to completion under Yuhan's open innovation strategy. This successful partnership between local biotech ventures and pharmaceutical companies has become a model for future collaborations in the industry.
Commercial Prospects and Global Expansion
Industry analysts project substantial commercial success for Leclaza, with potential annual sales exceeding 1 trillion won ($678.9 million). Johnson & Johnson has set an ambitious combined annual sales target of at least $5 billion for the Leclaza-Rybrevant combination therapy. The drug is currently undergoing regulatory review in multiple markets, including Europe, China, and Japan.
Under the commercialization agreement established in 2018, Yuhan will receive royalties ranging from 10 to 15 percent of Leclaza's sales. Building on this success, Yuhan is accelerating its development pipeline, focusing on immunotherapies and allergy treatments as it pursues its vision of becoming a global pharmaceutical leader.
