ImmunoForge
ImmunoForge is a clinical-stage South Korean biopharmaceutical company developing long-acting protein/peptide therapeutics for rare neuromuscular diseases using its proprietary ELP half-life extension platform and LMT15 blood-brain barrier shuttle technology, monetizing via licensing and co-development deals with global pharma partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ImmunoForge does
ImmunoForge Co. Ltd. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 2017 by Sung-Min Ahn (MD-PhD) and Kiho Chang (MBA). The company develops treatments for rare musculoskeletal and related diseases using two proprietary technology platforms: the ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) platform, which extends the circulating half-life of proteins and peptides by up to 200 times through temperature-dependent reversible phase transition, enabling weekly to monthly dosing from single subcutaneous injections; and the LMT15 platform, a next-generation blood-brain barrier shuttle combining leptin receptor-mediated transcytosis with ELP technology for CNS drug delivery.
ImmunoForge's pipeline spans eight core programs: Froniglutide (GLP-1R agonist in Phase 2 for Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis, also targeting DMD and sarcopenia), Pemziviptadil (VPAC2-targeting for DMD cardiomyopathy with FDA Phase 2 IND approval), PF1805 (CNP-ELP for achondroplasia), PF1806 (GLP-2-ELP for short bowel syndrome), PF1807 (once-monthly GLP-1R for sarcopenia), PF1802 (bifunctional biologic for ALS and Parkinson's), PF1803 (OSCAR+ targeting for osteoarthritis), and KF1601 (BCR-ABL T315I inhibitor for drug-resistant CML). The company holds five FDA Orphan Drug Designations and one MFDS ODD. IP assets include 88 patents acquired from PhaseBio in February 2023, supplemented by in-licensed technology from Duke University, Gachon University, Korea University, and Ewha Woman's University.
The business model is licensing-and-partnership-driven rather than commercial sales. ImmunoForge pursues out-licensing of Phase 2 assets and platform technologies to global pharmaceutical companies, co-development partnerships where partners provide development funding, and emerging NewCo investment structures for specific programs. The company has secured licensing deals with Boryung Corporation (KF1601), PharmGen Science (obesity formulation), and co-development agreements with Dong-A ST/NeuroBo (DA-1726 obesity) and Hamlet BioPharma (TB peptide slow-release). It maintains dual operations in Seoul and a US branch in King of Prussia, PA, targeting KOSDAQ listing in 2025-2026.
ImmunoForge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ImmunoForge
- Legal name
- ImmunoForge Co. Ltd.
- Website
- https://immunoforge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ImmunoForge is a clinical-stage South Korean biopharmaceutical company developing long-acting protein/peptide therapeutics for rare neuromuscular diseases using its proprietary ELP half-life extension platform and LMT15 blood-brain barrier shuttle technology, monetizing via licensing and co-development deals with global pharma partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ImmunoForge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clinical-stage Biopharmaceutical — Rare Disease Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protein Engineering & Directed Evolution Platforms (enzyme/therapeutic protein optimization) (HLAAAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Engineered Protein Therapeutics (de novo/AI-designed proteins, novel scaffolds) (HLAAAAAJ), Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB), Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAD)
Keywords
Where ImmunoForge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
ImmunoForge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Licensing and Technology Transfer: The company generates revenue through global licensing agreements for its drug candidates and platform technologies, including out-licensing of Phase 2 assets PF1801 and PF1804, as well as ELP platform technology licensing to pharmaceutical partners.
- Co-development and Partnership Revenue: Revenue from co-development partnerships where ImmunoForge contributes its platform technology while partners provide development funding and commercialization expertise. Examples include joint research with Dong-A ST/NeuroBo for obesity treatment.
- NewCo Investment Structures: The company is exploring NewCo (new corporation) models alongside traditional partnering arrangements to create standalone entities for specific therapeutic programs or platforms.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
ImmunoForge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ImmunoForge is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing long-acting biologic drug candidates for rare neuromuscular, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases, using its proprietary ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) half-life extension platform and LMT15 Blood-Brain Barrier shuttle platform. The company advances its own pipeline through Phase 2 clinical trials and generates revenue by out-licensing drug candidates and platform technologies to global pharmaceutical partners, while pursuing co-development agreements and NewCo structures.
Product overview
ImmunoForge is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for rare musculoskeletal diseases using its proprietary ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) platform technology. The company's portfolio consists of two core technology platforms: the ELP Platform for half-life extension (up to 200x increase) enabling weekly/monthly dosing, and the LMT15 Platform for blood-brain barrier penetration using leptin receptor-mediated transcytosis. The product pipeline includes Froniglutide (GLP-1R agonist for DM/PM/DMD), Pemziviptadil (VPAC2 for DMD cardiomyopathy), PF1805 (CNP for achondroplasia), PF1806 (GLP-2 for short bowel syndrome), PF1807 (GLP-1R for sarcopenia), PF1802 (bifunctional for ALS/Parkinson's), PF1803 (OSCAR+ for osteoarthritis), and KF1601 (BCR-ABL for CML). Multiple assets have received FDA Orphan Drug Designation and are advancing through clinical trials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Froniglutide A novel long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist built on the ELP half-life extension platform, enabling once-weekly subcutaneous injection for the treatment of Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation for DMD (Dec 2020), FDA ODD for PM (Aug 2021), and MFDS ODD for DM/PM (Sep 2023). In Phase 2 for DM/PM with IND approval for Phase 2a in DMD.
- Pemziviptadil (PF1804) First-in-class ELP-engineered biologic targeting VPAC2 receptors, designed for once-weekly dosing to treat DMD cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and cystic fibrosis. FDA Orphan Drug Designation granted (May 2014); FDA Phase 2 IND approval for DMD cardiomyopathy (December 2024).
- PF1805
Quantifiable outcome
- Half-life extension of drugs by up to 200 times compared to native formulations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ImmunoForge
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ImmunoForge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ImmunoForge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Hamlet BioPharmacoreCollaboration to develop novel slow-release administration technology for the peptide drug NZX, a drug candidate for pulmonary tuberculosis treatment. ImmunoForge will develop the slow-release technology to prolong the effect of each treatment, addressing antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. Future research results and patent rights will be jointly owned by both companies.
- Dong-A ST and NeuroBo PharmaceuticalscoreJoint research agreement to develop a long-acting, once-monthly formulation of DA-1726 (a novel oxyntomodulin analog) for obesity treatment using ImmunoForge's ELP platform technology. Collaboration leverages ImmunoForge's half-life extension technology which can increase drug half-life by up to 200 times.
- Duke UniversitycoreExpanded research collaboration for ELP platform technology. Duke University holds rights for cancer applications while ImmunoForge holds development rights for other therapeutic areas. Both parties share profits from commercialization with global pharmaceutical companies.
- Korea University (Kang Taek-kyu Professor)minorJoint research for antibody drug development combining ImmunoForge's fusion proteins with Korea University's long-acting Fc variant technology for rare disease treatments.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ImmunoForge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PTC Therapeutics: PTC Therapeutics is a US-based rare disease biotech with multiple DMD programs (e.g., Translarna, Emflaza) and a broader rare disease pipeline, making it a directly comparable commercial-stage peer to ImmunoForge's rare neuromuscular focus.
- BridgeBio Pharma: BridgeBio is a clinical-stage rare disease biotech pursuing multiple genetically targeted therapies, structurally similar to ImmunoForge in pursuing a broad pipeline of single-indication rare disease programs with multiple licensing/out-licensing opportunities.
- Sarepta Therapeutics: Sarepta is the dominant commercial-stage biotech focused on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, directly overlapping with ImmunoForge's PF1801 (Froniglutide) and PF1804 (Pemziviptadil) DMD programs. Both companies target rare neuromuscular diseases with high unmet need and pursue FDA Orphan Drug Designations as a core regulatory strategy.
- Amicus Therapeutics: Amicus is a clinical-to-commercial rare disease biotech using protein engineering and biologics to address diseases of protein misfolding and deficiency, sharing with ImmunoForge a protein-engineering-driven therapeutic approach and a focus on rare diseases with no approved disease-modifying treatments.
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical: Ultragenyx is a clinical-to-commercial stage rare disease biotech developing biologics for genetic and metabolic diseases, with similar reliance on orphan drug exclusivity and a comparable pipeline-to-platform model. Their achondroplasia and short bowel programs directly overlap with ImmunoForge's PF1805 and PF1806.
Regional players
- HanAll Biopharma: HanAll is a Korean clinical-stage biopharma with autoimmune and rare disease pipeline assets (e.g., batoclimab) and global out-licensing deals (with Immunovant, Roivant), making it the most directly comparable Korean regional peer to ImmunoForge in therapeutic focus and licensing-based GTM model.
- GC Pharma: GC Pharma (formerly Green Cross) is a major Korean biopharma with a biologics and rare disease focus, comparable to ImmunoForge as a Korean-listed biopharma pursuing therapeutic biologics, though much larger with commercial-stage products.
Broad incumbents
- Halozyme Therapeutics: Halozyme's ENHANZE platform is the leading commercial half-life extension technology (royalty-bearing deals with Roche, Pfizer, Janssen, etc.), making it the most directly comparable platform-licensing business model to ImmunoForge's ELP technology. Halozyme is more mature with a deep royalty stream from approved products.
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is an established rare disease biologics leader with a multi-product commercial portfolio and active late-stage pipeline, comparable in therapeutic focus (rare genetic disease) and biologic modality to ImmunoForge's pipeline, though much larger and commercially mature.
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals: Ionis is a clinical-to-commercial antisense/RNA therapeutics biotech with deep rare disease focus, sharing with ImmunoForge a half-life/extended dosing engineering emphasis, multiple partnered programs, and a reliance on FDA ODD pathways. Both also pursue novel enabling delivery technologies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ImmunoForge social profiles
Digital presenceImmunoForge compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
ImmunoForge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ImmunoForge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ImmunoForge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ImmunoForge 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 ImmunoForge
What does ImmunoForge do?
ImmunoForge is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing long-acting biologic drug candidates for rare neuromuscular, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases, using its proprietary ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) half-life extension platform and LMT15 Blood-Brain Barrier shuttle platform. The company advances its own pipeline through Phase 2 clinical trials and generates revenue by out-licensing drug candidates and platform technologies to global pharmaceutical partners, while pursuing co-development agreements and NewCo structures.
Is ImmunoForge a public or private company?
ImmunoForge is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ImmunoForge founded?
ImmunoForge was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ImmunoForge based?
ImmunoForge is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does ImmunoForge make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Licensing and Technology Transfer is the primary driver. The others are co-development and Partnership Revenue and newCo Investment Structures.
Who are ImmunoForge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PTC Therapeutics, BridgeBio Pharma, Sarepta Therapeutics, Amicus Therapeutics and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical. Regional players are HanAll Biopharma and GC Pharma. Broad incumbents are Halozyme Therapeutics, BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Ionis Pharmaceuticals.
Does ImmunoForge have an API?
No public API is recorded for ImmunoForge.
What industry is ImmunoForge in?
ImmunoForge's product category is Clinical-stage Biopharmaceutical — Rare Disease Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAC, Protein Engineering & Directed Evolution Platforms (enzyme/therapeutic protein optimization), with a secondary code of HLAAAAAJ, Engineered Protein Therapeutics (de novo/AI-designed proteins, novel scaffolds). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.