- CEO
- Han-Seung Lee
- Full Time Employees
- 57
- Sector
- Health technology
- Industry
- Biotechnology
- Address
- Seoul South Korea
- IPO Date
- Nov 18, 2020
- Business
- KoBioLabs, Inc. is a South Korea-based clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the discovery, research, and development of human microbiome-based therapeutics and health functional foods. Founded in 2014 as a spin-off from Seoul National University and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, the company operates research and clinical development facilities in Bundang, Gyeonggi-do, and engages in clinical and intellectual property activities across South Korea, the United States, and international markets.
The company operates through two core business segments: Microbiome Therapeutics and Health Functional Products. KoBioLabs leverages its proprietary Smartiome drug discovery and development platform, an integrated reverse-translation engine comprising the BaxData human microbiome clinical database, the BaxBank repository of human-derived microbial strains, and the BaxPlore artificial intelligence-driven multi-omics target screening system. The company's primary products and pipeline candidates include KBLP-001 (KBL697), an orally administered live biotherapeutic candidate evaluated for autoimmune and dermatological disorders, including moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; KBLP-002 (KBL693), a live biotherapeutic program targeting severe asthma and allergic respiratory diseases; KBLP-004, a therapeutic candidate designed for metabolic indications including obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and type 2 diabetes; KBLP-006, a developmental program for inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis; KBLP-005, an immuno-oncology research program utilizing microbial-derived immune modulators for solid tumors; KBLP-010, a central nervous system therapeutic program targeting autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental conditions; KC84, KBL382, and KBL385, specialized microbial candidates targeting gastrointestinal conditions including diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome; and customized probiotic formulations and nutritional health functional foods commercialized independently and via joint ventures.
In recent strategic developments, KoBioLabs entered into a major global licensing agreement with Celltrion valued at up to KRW 205.2 billion (approximately USD 136.8 million), granting Celltrion exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights to three of KoBioLabs' microbiome-derived therapeutic candidates—KC84, KBL382, and KBL385—for gastrointestinal indications, including irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. The company has also advanced its clinical development pipeline by completing Phase 2 clinical trials for its lead candidate KBLP-001 in psoriasis and Phase 1 clinical studies for KBLP-002, while expanding its global intellectual property portfolio through granted patents across the United States, Europe, and Asia for its metabolic disease and anti-obesity microbial strains. Furthermore, KoBioLabs continues to operate WiBiome, a joint venture established with retail giant E-mart, to expand its commercial footprint in science-backed functional probiotics and personalized health foods.