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Daewoong Pharmaceutical is embarking on the research and development of anti-aging therapeutics.

The company announced on May 21 that it has secured technology assets and rights by winning an auction for core assets of Turn Biotechnologies, a U.S.-based biotechnology firm. With this asset acquisition, the company plans to initiate the research and development of therapeutics targeting age-related diseases.

The acquired asset centers around Turn Bio's "ERA platform," a "partial reprogramming" technology designed to deliver reprogramming factors to aging cells in the form of messenger RNA (mRNA). While conventional full reprogramming technologies face limitations by causing cells to lose their unique identity, this platform selectively restores diminished cell functions to a young and healthy state while preserving the inherent characteristics of the cells. As a result, it is drawing attention as a next-generation approach to aging therapy.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to conduct research across various fields, including age-related ophthalmic and hearing disorders, in collaboration with its subsidiary Hanall Biopharma. Previously, Hanall Biopharma had established a technology agreement with Turn Bio to explore the feasibility of developing therapeutics.

The company aims to accelerate the development of anti-aging treatments leveraged by this platform acquisition. Park Seong-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "Aging research is establishing itself as a core field that goes beyond treating a single specific disease to shift the paradigm of future medicine." He added, "By securing this platform technology, we will refine next-generation therapeutic strategies capable of addressing the root causes of age-related diseases and establish global-level R&D competitiveness."