Angelini Pharma has secured an exclusive option agreement with South Korean biotechnology firm Sovargen for the global development and commercialization rights of a promising brain health compound, SVG105. This innovative pre-clinical investigational drug shows potential in treating various brain diseases, excluding markets in the Republic of Korea, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Under the terms finalized on September 22, 2025, Angelini Pharma will collaborate closely with Sovargen during the pre-clinical development phase of SVG105. Following this initial period, Angelini Pharma will have the opportunity to advance the compound into clinical development and commercialization in designated international markets. SVG105 utilizes a novel anti-sense oligonucleotide technology targeting the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathways, which are critical for addressing several brain health disorders, including drug-resistant childhood epilepsy.
Sovargen will benefit from an upfront payment as part of this agreement and is eligible for additional milestone-dependent payments, potentially amounting to approximately US$550 million, alongside tiered royalties on net sales following regulatory approval.
Expanding Brain Health Portfolio
This partnership is part of Angelini Pharma’s strategic effort to enhance its already robust pipeline in brain health. The company has engaged in multiple collaborations over the past two years, reinforcing its commitment to advancing treatments in this critical area. In May 2025, Angelini Pharma partnered with GRIN Therapeutics Inc. for the development rights of radiprodil, an investigational drug targeted at rare genetic epilepsies and neurodevelopmental disorders. Just days before, the company entered an agreement to develop and commercialize OmniAb’s RO’599, another innovative compound with similar potential.
In a previous collaboration, Angelini Pharma formed a partnership with Cureverse, a spin-off from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology, to develop small molecules with broad applications in the central nervous system. Additionally, in 2023, the company collaborated with JCR Pharmaceuticals, a Japanese biotech firm known for its breakthrough technology that allows biologics to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Jacopo Andreose, Chief Executive Officer of Angelini Pharma, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership with Sovargen further solidifies Angelini Pharma’s leading role in the field of brain health, adding additional breadth to our robust portfolio and pipeline. Neurological disorders like epilepsy are major contributors to global disease challenges.”
Addressing Global Brain Health Challenges
The importance of brain health cannot be understated. The World Health Organization defines brain health as a state of optimal functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioral, and motor domains. This is crucial for individuals to realize their full potential throughout their lives, regardless of existing disorders. With approximately 179 million Europeans affected by brain health conditions and significant economic and societal impacts associated with these disorders, there is an urgent need for increased awareness and innovative solutions.
Epilepsy, one of the most prevalent neurological diseases globally, affects an estimated 50 million people. In Europe alone, around six million individuals are living with this condition, which can arise from various causes, including structural and genetic factors. Despite available treatments, about 40% of patients remain uncontrolled, underscoring the need for new therapeutic options.
Cheolwon Park, Chief Executive Officer at Sovargen, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Our research so far demonstrates great potential for SVG105 to transform the treatment landscape in brain health, and we are confident that Angelini Pharma’s strong therapeutic expertise will propel our research further and bring us closer to identifying new treatment options for patients in need.”
As the collaboration between Angelini Pharma and Sovargen unfolds, both companies hope to deliver much-needed advancements in the treatment of brain health conditions, striving to improve the lives of millions affected by neurological disorders worldwide.
