Unicycive enters license, development agreement with Lotus in Republic of Korea

Unicycive Therapeutics (UNCY) announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lotus Pharmaceutical (LTUS), a leading global pharmaceutical company, for the development and commercialization of Renazorb in the Republic of Korea. Renazorb is Unicycive’s novel phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease, CKD patients. "We are especially pleased to announce our second partnership for Renazorb in Asia and are delighted to be working with Lotus, a renowned global pharmaceutical leader. We believe this collaboration provides the optimal infrastructure for the further development and commercialization of Renazorb in the Korean market," said Shalabh Gupta, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive. "Hyperphosphatemia continues to be a serious problem for end stage renal patients around the world, particularly as compliance with currently available phosphate binders is challenging. There remains a need for a new treatment with a product profile that has meaningful patient adherence benefits, such as Renazorb." Under the terms of the agreement, Lotus will be responsible for development, registration filing and approval of Renazorb in the Republic of Korea. In addition, Lotus will have sole responsibility for the importation of the drug product from Unicycive and for the costs of commercialization of Renazorb in the Republic of Korea.