CUROME BIOSCIENCES
CUROME BIOSCIENCES is a South Korean clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing NQO1-targeting NOC Activator drugs for rare and orphan diseases including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, mitochondrial diseases, and rare eye disorders, while also commercializing SAGX-based health supplements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersCheongju, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CUROME BIOSCIENCES does
CUROME BIOSCIENCES (formerly Huen, rebranded October 2020) is a South Korea-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2017 that develops novel therapeutics for rare and orphan diseases, with a focus on mitochondrial dysfunction-related conditions, inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, and rare liver and ophthalmologic disorders. The company is headquartered in Cheongju with an R&D center in Suwon and operates with 11-50 employees. Its proprietary NOC Activator technology platform targets NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) to simultaneously increase intracellular NAD+ and ATP levels through redox cycling, addressing cellular energy metabolism deficits underlying mitochondrial diseases.
CUROME BIOSCIENCES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CUROME BIOSCIENCES
- Legal name
- 주식회사 큐롬바이오사이언스
- Website
- https://curome.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CUROME BIOSCIENCES is a South Korean clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing NQO1-targeting NOC Activator drugs for rare and orphan diseases including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, mitochondrial diseases, and rare eye disorders, while also commercializing SAGX-based health supplements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CUROME BIOSCIENCES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rare Disease Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Genetic & Genomic Rare Disease Therapeutics (HLAIAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regulatory Strategy & Global Submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/BLA/MAA) (HLAGAKAA), Chiral / Asymmetric Synthesis & Complex Chemistry Services (HLAGAHAE), Endocrinology & Metabolic Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAD)
Keywords
Where CUROME BIOSCIENCES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cheongju
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
CUROME BIOSCIENCES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Drug Development and Sales: As a biopharmaceutical company, CUROME BIOSCIENCES generates revenue through the development and eventual commercialization of novel drugs for rare and orphan diseases. Their lead pipeline HK-660S is in Phase 2 clinical trials for PSC with potential market exclusivity upon approval through ODD designation.
- Health Functional Food Products: The company launched consumer health products including '남자의 자격 세이지엑스 레드에너지' (SAGX-based 6-complex functional nutritional supplement) through e-commerce channels, representing a separate revenue stream from pharmaceutical development.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
CUROME BIOSCIENCES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CUROME BIOSCIENCES is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative small-molecule drugs for rare and orphan diseases, with a focus on mitochondrial dysfunction-related conditions, inflammatory/fibrotic diseases, and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Its lead candidate HK-660S is an oral NOC Activator (NQO1-targeted NAD+/ATP booster) in Phase 2 clinical trials. The company also develops the HK-1 Series for Primary Mitochondrial Diseases and the CR-Series (including CR3053 for rare eye diseases such as LHON), and separately commercializes the SAGX-based men's health functional supplement SAGX Red Energy through e-commerce and pharmacy channels.
Product overview
CUROME BIOSCIENCES is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative drugs for rare and orphan diseases, particularly mitochondrial dysfunction-related conditions. The company operates a NOC Activator technology platform that increases intracellular NAD+ and ATP levels through NQO1 enzyme targeting. Their drug pipeline includes HK-660S (Phase 2 for PSC), HK-1 Series (Phase GLP toxicology for PMD), and CR-Series compounds (CR-1 for inflammatory diseases, CR-2 for rare diseases, CR-3 for degenerative diseases including rare eye diseases). Additionally, the company commercializes health supplement products including SAGX (Salvia miltiorrhiza extract) as an individually recognized functional ingredient and the finished supplement product 'SAGX Red Energy'. The portfolio spans from investigational new drugs in clinical development to consumer health products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SAGX (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Extract Powder): A patented functional ingredient derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dansham), developed over 20 years with approximately 2 billion KRW investment. Contains cryptotanshinone at approximately 50x concentration. Recognized by MFDS for prostate health functionality. Used in products like '남자의자격 세이지엑스 레드에너지' (Man's Qualification SAGE X Red Energy) - a 6-complex functional health supplement.
Products and services
- HK-660S Lead oral drug candidate (NOC Activator/NQO1-targeted NAD+ booster) in Phase 2 clinical trials for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Targets the NQO1 enzyme to simultaneously increase intracellular NAD+ and ATP levels, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. Targeted at patients with PSC, a rare chronic cholestatic liver disease with no approved treatments.
- HK-1 Series Drug candidates for Primary Mitochondrial Diseases (PMD) based on the same NOC Activator chemistry. Targeted at rare mitochondrial disorders including MELAS syndrome, Leigh syndrome, Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), and MERRF syndrome. Currently in non-clinical GLP toxicity study phase.
- CR-Series (CR-1, CR-2, CR-3) Series of NOC Activator-based drug candidates targeting multiple rare disease indications: CR-1 for inflammatory diseases, CR-2 for rare diseases, and CR-3 for degenerative diseases including rare eye diseases (LHON, dry AMD) via CR3053. Targeted at patients with rare inflammatory, rare, and degenerative diseases with no effective treatments.
- SAGX (Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extract powder / 단삼주정추출분말) SAGX is a proprietary Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extract powder functional ingredient individually recognized by MFDS (Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) for prostate health. Developed over 20 years with approximately 2 billion KRW investment, it contains cryptotanshinone at approximately 50x concentration. It is the core functional ingredient used in CUROME's consumer supplement products and licensed for use in NAD+/senolytic-based product development with Healthism.
- SAGX Red Energy (남자의자격 세이지엑스 레드에너지) SAGX Red Energy is a premium 6-complex functional nutritional supplement marketed for men's health, targeting prostate health, blood circulation, and eye health. Contains the company's proprietary SAGX (Salvia miltiorrhiza extract) ingredient combined with omega-3, CoQ10, and zinc. Targeted at male consumers in their 40s-50s seeking comprehensive men's health management as a single-product alternative to taking multiple supplements separately. Sold through CUROME's official online store and pharmacy distribution channels.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 2a PSC clinical: HK-660S showed PSC severity improvement in 13% of FAS patients vs 0% for placebo; ALP reduction 2x greater than placebo
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CUROME BIOSCIENCES
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CUROME BIOSCIENCES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CUROME BIOSCIENCES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.
- Healthism Co., Ltd. (건강중심주의)secondaryMOU for NAD+ technology and Senolytic-based product development. Healthism developing innovative health functional foods optimizing energy metabolism. Curome providing NAD+ technology for cellular energy enhancement and product development.
- Dioni Healthcare (디오니헬스케어)secondaryStrategic MOU for product distribution. Dioni Healthcare operates Regenerative Cell Regulation Research Society with strong distribution network among nationwide pharmacy members, supporting product supply and consumer feedback analysis for product development and market expansion.
- Korea National Enterprise for Drug Discovery (KDDF)coreSelection of Curome's mitochondrial rare eye disease treatment drug development substance for KDDF 'New Drug Foundation Reinforcement Research' project. KDDF supporting lead compound derivation for LHON treatment over 2 years.
- Standigm Inc. (스탠다임)coreMOU for developing rare disease treatments using AI-based platform. Combining Standigm's AI drug discovery platform (including Standigm ASK, Standigm BEST, Standigm STELLA, and Standigm Magic workflow) with Curome's rare disease treatment R&D capabilities for new therapeutic development in mitochondrial dysfunction and other rare diseases.
- Yungjin Pharmaceutical (영진약품)coreJoint R&D contract for mitochondrial-based rare and orphan disease drug development. Curome handles preclinical work including mechanism of action (MoA) studies and efficacy evaluation, while Yungjin Pharmaceutical handles CMC and clinical development. Costs, rights, and future sales profits are shared 50:50.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights7 records
CUROME BIOSCIENCES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stealth BioTherapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing mitochondrial-targeted therapeutics for rare diseases including LHON and primary mitochondrial diseases. Closest direct peer as it shares the same therapeutic focus (mitochondrial dysfunction) and similar orphan disease strategy.
- BridgeBio Pharma: Genetic disease-focused biopharma developing therapies for rare and underserved diseases with multiple FDA designations across its portfolio. Comparable in pursuing orphan indications with accelerated regulatory pathways and a multi-asset pipeline model.
- GenSight Biologics: Clinical-stage gene therapy company developing treatments for retinal diseases and LHON. Directly comparable for Curome's CR3053 LHON program and shares the rare ophthalmology regulatory pathway (ODD, EMA centralized procedure).
- ProQR Therapeutics: Rare disease RNA therapeutics company with programs in inherited retinal diseases including LHON. Comparable peer given overlapping rare eye disease pipeline and reliance on orphan drug regulatory pathways.
- Cyclerion Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharma focused on mitochondrial and CNS diseases, with programs targeting cellular energy metabolism. Directly comparable mechanism of action (mitochondrial function enhancement) and rare disease focus.
Broad incumbents
- PTC Therapeutics: Established rare disease biopharma with multiple approved and clinical-stage therapies across genetic disorders. Comparable as a broader incumbent operating in the same rare disease commercial and regulatory environment.
Emerging players
- Khondrion: European clinical-stage biotech developing mitochondrial therapeutics for primary mitochondrial diseases and LHON. Comparable as a niche mitochondrial-focused player with overlapping disease indications.
Others
- Standigm: Korean AI drug discovery company partnered with Curome since 2023 for rare disease target identification. Included as an ecosystem partner and SAB-linked entity (CEO Younsung Choo sits on Curome's SAB) rather than a direct competitor.
- Yungjin Pharmaceutical: Korean pharmaceutical company with a 50:50 co-development partnership with Curome on mitochondrial-based rare disease drug development. Strategic co-development partner rather than a competitor, providing CMC and clinical infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CUROME BIOSCIENCES social profiles
Digital presenceCUROME BIOSCIENCES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CUROME BIOSCIENCES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
CUROME BIOSCIENCES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CUROME BIOSCIENCES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CUROME BIOSCIENCES
What does CUROME BIOSCIENCES do?
CUROME BIOSCIENCES is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative small-molecule drugs for rare and orphan diseases, with a focus on mitochondrial dysfunction-related conditions, inflammatory/fibrotic diseases, and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Its lead candidate HK-660S is an oral NOC Activator (NQO1-targeted NAD+/ATP booster) in Phase 2 clinical trials. The company also develops the HK-1 Series for Primary Mitochondrial Diseases and the CR-Series (including CR3053 for rare eye diseases such as LHON), and separately commercializes the SAGX-based men's health functional supplement SAGX Red Energy through e-commerce and pharmacy channels.
Is CUROME BIOSCIENCES a public or private company?
CUROME BIOSCIENCES is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was CUROME BIOSCIENCES founded?
CUROME BIOSCIENCES was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CUROME BIOSCIENCES based?
CUROME BIOSCIENCES is headquartered in Cheongju, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does CUROME BIOSCIENCES make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Drug Development and Sales are the primary driver. The others are health Functional Food Products.
Who are CUROME BIOSCIENCES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stealth BioTherapeutics, BridgeBio Pharma, GenSight Biologics, ProQR Therapeutics and Cyclerion Therapeutics. PTC Therapeutics is listed as a broad incumbent. Khondrion is listed as an emerging player. Others are Standigm and Yungjin Pharmaceutical.
Does CUROME BIOSCIENCES have an API?
No public API is recorded for CUROME BIOSCIENCES.
What industry is CUROME BIOSCIENCES in?
CUROME BIOSCIENCES's product category is Rare Disease Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAIAA, Genetic & Genomic Rare Disease Therapeutics, with a secondary code of HLAGAKAA, Regulatory Strategy & Global Submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/BLA/MAA). Its NAICS code is 3254 and its SIC code is 2836.