Zydus Lifesciences’ U.S.-based subsidiary Sentynl Therapeutics has entered into a licensing agreement with South Korea’s PRG S&T to develop an investigational drug candidate, Progerinin (SLC-D011), for the treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), commonly known as progeria. The collaboration marks a significant step in advancing research for therapies targeting rare genetic disorders.
Sentynl Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences, will work closely with PRG S&T, a Korean biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for rare genetic diseases, to accelerate the clinical development of Progerinin. Under the agreement, Sentynl will begin collaborating with PRG S&T immediately to progress the program. If specific development milestones are achieved, Sentynl will acquire full rights to the molecule for the treatment of HGPS upon closing, adding Progerinin as the second therapy in its pipeline targeting the rare disease.
Progerinin has already received orphan drug designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a status granted to potential treatments for rare diseases that affect a limited number of patients. The designation can provide certain incentives for drug development, including regulatory support and possible market exclusivity.
The drug candidate is currently in the final stages of a Phase 2A clinical trial. According to the companies, data from the study are expected before the end of the first half of 2026. The results will help determine the safety and potential effectiveness of the therapy in patients suffering from Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.
Progerinin is an investigational, orally administered small-molecule drug designed to address the underlying cause of progeria at the cellular level. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging in children. The condition occurs due to mutations in the LMNA gene, which lead to the accumulation of progerin, an abnormal form of the lamin A protein. This abnormal protein disrupts the structure of the cell nucleus and contributes to premature cellular aging.
The investigational therapy aims to inhibit the interaction and harmful effects of progerin within cells. By targeting this mechanism, Progerinin is designed to improve nuclear stability and reduce cellular damage, potentially slowing disease progression.
However, Progerinin is still under clinical investigation and has not been approved by the FDA or any other global health authority. Early-stage research and clinical trials are intended to determine whether the therapy can slow the progression of the disease and improve survival outcomes in patients with HGPS.
Currently, Zokinvy (lonafarnib) remains the only approved treatment for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and certain processing-deficient progeroid laminopathies. The therapy is authorized for use in several regions, including the United States, the European Union, Great Britain, Israel, and Japan.