[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s biotech firm Genexine said on Sept. 1 it will present phase 2 interim results of GX-H9, a long-acting growth hormone for pediatric hormone deficiency in an international conference in the US this month.

This interim results will include six-month annualized height velocities data from 44 of the 48 patients, according to the company. 

At the International Meeting of Pediatric Endocrinology, slated for Sept. 14–17 in Washington D.C., more than 4,000 endocrinologists and relevant companies from 100 countries will gather.

Genexine Chairman Sung Young-chul and Vice President Woo Jung-won will attend the conference to “discuss business cooperation with global pharmaceutical companies and investors,” the company said.

GX-H9, being co-developed with Handok under a strategic partnership, is a next-generation long-acting recombinant human growth hormone with Genexine’s hybrid Fc platform technology and multinational phase 2 studies have been conducted for patients with pediatric and adult growth hormone deficiency patients.

The treatment is held as a possible blockbuster drug that would provide a once-weekly alternative to current daily injection therapy.

“GX-H9 will be competitive in the pediatric market, based on its safety and durability advantages,” said Hong Ga-hye, an analyst at Daishin Securities.

The possibility of reaching a license out deal with global pharma firms will be increased if the clinical trials prove the potential to reduce the frequency of injections to twice-monthly, she added.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)