Daewon Pharmaceutical Advances Phase 3 Trial of P-CAB Candidate DW-4421

Daewon Pharmaceutical has begun a full-scale Phase 3 trial of DW-4421, a next-generation potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) candidate for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and highlighted its research and development (R&D) capabilities by disclosing promising drug pipelines for obesity, uterine fibroids and other conditions.

In its 2026 semiannual report disclosed on the 7th, Daewon Pharmaceutical reported the development status of its major new drug and improved drug pipelines.

The most notable pipeline is DW-4421, a P-CAB (potassium-competitive acid blocker) candidate. The candidate is currently being evaluated in a domestic Phase 3 trial in patients with erosive and nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Daewon Pharmaceutical previously signed a co-development and licensing agreement with Younovia in May 2024.

Development of DW-4222, a new obesity treatment, is also progressing smoothly. The candidate, licensed from Glaceum, recently completed a domestic Phase 2a trial. DW-4902, a uterine fibroid treatment licensed from TiumBio, has also completed both a domestic Phase 2 trial and a European Phase 2a trial.

Daewon Pharmaceutical is also pursuing the development of new cancer treatments. DW-4121, a non-small cell lung cancer treatment being co-developed with Elbase, is currently in the preclinical stage, preparing to enter Phase 1 trials in South Korea and Europe.

Meanwhile, Daewon Pharmaceutical invested 23.6 billion won in R&D during the first half of this year on a consolidated basis. This represented 7.61% of sales. The company invested 54 billion won in R&D for the full year last year.