Chongqing—China's first domestically developed ophthalmic drug, Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor Eye Drops, has made significant progress in clinical research and could transform the treatment of eye conditions worldwide.
According to Dr. Li Shugang, chairman of Kerun Biopharm, in an exclusive interview with Bridging News on April 11, the eye drops provide a promising solution for corneal defects by supporting nerve repair and regeneration.
The laboratory of Kerun Biopharm. (Photo/Kerun Biopharm)
Kerun Biopharm, a biotechnology company with a proprietary platform focusing on recombinant protein drug development in Chongqing, has been at the forefront of this innovative approach.
After over 20 years of research, the company has developed leading technologies like albumin-based nano-antibody and multi-specific nano-antibody drug design. These advancements have positioned the company as a rising force in China’s biopharmaceutical industry.
Li highlighted the growing ophthalmology market in China, which has seen an alarming increase in eye-related diseases. With over 1 billion ophthalmology patients in the country, including high incidences of dry eye and uveitis, 10 times more than in the United States, China faces a significant challenge in treating these conditions.
Despite its progress, China’s ophthalmic drug and device market remains significantly smaller than that of countries like the United States, accounting for only one-eighth to one-fifth of their size. Li noted that this gap presents a huge opportunity for domestic companies like Kerun Biopharm to lead the sector.
A recent report by Southwest Securities shows China’s ophthalmology market growing from 50.71 billion yuan (USD 6.96 billion) in 2015 to 223.1 billion yuan in 2024, with projections reaching 252.15 billion yuan by 2025. This rapid expansion highlights the increasing demand for eye care services and products.
Li emphasized that they face significant challenges as a biomanufacturing company based in Chongqing, a city with a still-developing biopharmaceutical industry. With China’s ophthalmic drug market heavily reliant on imports, their goal is to not only replace these imports but also showcase the global potential of domestic innovative drugs through technological breakthroughs.
Kerun Biopharm is advancing ophthalmic drug delivery by developing formulations that address the challenges of the eye's complex structure. Their R&D efforts aim to improve drug stability and enhance delivery to targeted lesions.
Furthermore, Li shared that Kerun Biopharm's commitment to technological breakthroughs extends beyond ophthalmology. The company is also advancing a recombinant carboxypeptidase G2 injection for oncology, which aims to reduce chemotherapy toxicity while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This drug is in the final stages of its pivotal phase II/III clinical trials.
Li expressed confidence that Kerun Biopharm's innovations could help introduce domestic products to international markets. "We are advancing several preclinical drug pipelines in ophthalmology and other key areas. These pipelines are now in the preclinical pharmacology and toxicology stage," said Li.
The company's global strategy includes collaborating with internationally experienced scientists and building a world-class advisory team to guide their research and development efforts.
"Looking ahead, we plan to expand the clinical pipeline in multiple international markets, with simultaneous filings in China and the United States to accelerate its products' entry into the global market," said Li.