Bilix, a pioneering Korean biotech startup, is capturing global attention with its revolutionary PEGylated bilirubin technology. Known as Brixelle®, this cutting-edge platform promises to transform the treatment landscape for inflammatory diseases and offers significant potential to save millions of lives worldwide.
Brixelle®: The World’s First PEGylated Bilirubin Platform
Bilix’s flagship technology, Brixelle®, is a groundbreaking innovation that merges bilirubin’s powerful antioxidant properties with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) to create a novel treatment for oxidative stress. This advanced PEGylated bilirubin platform not only protects cells and tissues from damage but also provides anti-inflammatory benefits through a sophisticated immunomodulatory mechanism. The nanoparticle formulation of Brixelle® enables versatile applications across various medical fields, marking a significant advancement in therapeutic technology.
Myung Kim, the visionary CEO and founder of Bilix, launched the company driven by a personal mission to address critical medical needs. Inspired by his sister’s mental health struggles, Kim, along with co-founder Jon SangYong—a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)—has developed Brixelle® to address longstanding challenges in treating inflammatory conditions.
Bilix’s technology specifically targets ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI), a condition affecting organ transplantation, heart attacks, and strokes. With a single intravenous injection, Brixelle® provides both antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory action, potentially saving 400,000 lives in the US and 18 million globally.
Bilirubin’s therapeutic potential has been recognized for over 35 years, with more than 27,000 journal articles documenting its benefits. However, its clinical development faced challenges due to its hydrophobic properties, leading to tissue accumulation and toxicity. While notable scientists like Dr. Phillip Hench and Dr. Fritz Bach made significant contributions to understanding bilirubin, previous attempts to develop it into a therapeutic agent failed.
Bilix’s breakthrough lies in chemically synthesized PEGylated bilirubin nanoparticles. By covalently binding PEG to the carboxyl group of bilirubin, the technology retains bilirubin’s therapeutic effects while enhancing solubility in water. This innovation enables the use of PEGylated bilirubin for drug delivery systems (DDS), including encapsulating chemotherapy agents like Doxorubicin and Cisplatin. This advancement addresses issues faced by existing DDS technologies, offering a more effective and less toxic alternative for targeted drug delivery.
Financial Backing and Strategic Expansion
Bilix has garnered substantial financial support, securing $22 million from prominent institutional investors such as DS Asset, Daekyo Investment, and IBK, along with $3 million in government funding. The company has established strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical firms to bolster its growth strategy. Bilix’s initial focus is on the US market, known for its high drug price potential, with plans to expand into Europe and Japan. Clinical trials are underway in Australia, benefiting from lower costs and favorable conditions, with plans to advance to US trials post-Phase 2.
Bilix has achieved notable milestones, including over 20 scientific publications, successful pre-clinical trials, and partnerships with leading Korean cosmetic companies. By the end of 2024, Bilix anticipates completing Phase 1 trials and launching cosmetic products in collaboration with a major firm, which will generate immediate revenue.
The company’s future roadmap includes initiating Phase 2 studies in 2025, continuing revenue generation through cosmetic products, and commencing major licensing activities based on Phase 2 results. Bilix aims to complete Series C funding by 2027, positioning itself for significant global licensing deals and market expansion.
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