In global Phase 3 clinical trial, Tigulixostat will be evaluated in 350 adult gout patients with hyperuricemia for safety and efficacy at Month 6 of treatment, and the data will be compared with that of the placebo-controlled group. The primary end point is the patient ratio reaching below 6mg/dL of serum uric acid concentration after 6 months of treatment.

Additionally, LG Chem will be submitting an application to the US FDA for a comparative study with ‘Allopurinol,’ a first line treatment of gout. The Company’s strategy is to prove distinguished efficacy and safety for long-term treatment through global clinical trial. LG Chem aims to enter the global gout market in 2028 after obtaining US FDA approval for Tigulixostat as a first line treatment.

Tigulixostat is an oral drug administered once daily. It inhibits enzymatic activity of ‘XO (Xanthine Oxidase),’ thereby reducing production of uric acid, which is the primary cause of gout.

Results from the US Phase 2 clinical trial—primary end point set at a challenging level (achieving below 5mg/dL serum uric acid concentration)—confirmed the potential of Tigulixostat as a new gout treatment distinguished from pre-existing drugs, while also demonstrating safety similar to that of the placebo group.

According to Coherent Market Insights, the global gout market value is projected to escalate from 2.6 billion USD in 2019 to 4.3 billion USD by 2027 due to the increase of aging and obese population. Currently, 35 million people are diagnosed with gout worldwide and it is estimated that there are 10 million and 14 million gout patients in the U.S. and China, respectively.

Life Sciences Company President Jeewoong Son stated, “Tigulixostat global Phase 3 trial will serve as a catalyst for reinforcing LG Chem’s new drug clinical development, approval, manufacturing and sales capabilities,” while adding, “We hope to create a new turning point for the gout market with clinical strategies that can procure global competitiveness and preemptive commercialization preparations.”