Autoimmune disease is a disease in which an immune cell that protects the body from external invaders (germs, viruses, etc.) attacks the body. Symptoms occur in the thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, red blood cells, skin, muscles, and joints. The symptoms and diseases vary depending on where the immune cells attack our bodies. Representative autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, digestive diabetes, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, asthma, and Crohn's disease. There are many different types of autoimmune diseases, but the causes of autoimmune diseases are similar because they are caused by inflammatory cytokines or inflammatory cells. Therefore, if one can find a therapeutic agent that works on autoimmune diseases, it is highly likely to be effective against other autoimmune diseases associated with it.

Autoimmune diseases occur in 1 in 5 people worldwide. The likelihood of this occurrence is expected to continue to increase. In Europe and North America, 5% of the population suffers from the disease, and it usually affects people between 20 and 50 years of age. However, many patients are currently receiving high-dose steroids, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunotherapy for autoimmune therapy. There is currently no new treatment method available to cure autoimmune diseases without side effects.

The market for autoimmune diseases therapeutics is expected to grow from $ 45.1 billion in 2016 to $ 90 billion in 2021, and the market is predicted that will keep growing. In addition, the increasing use of biologicals worldwide will create the third-largest market in 2021.

Many autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases currently do not have adequate treatment, and high-dose steroids, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment are commonly used for immunosuppression. The level of treatment technology is to relieve symptoms or slow progression. Thus, this is the fact that there is no fundamental treatment technology that eliminates the cause of the attack. In the case of severe autoimmune diseases, a method of weakening immune function by selecting an immunosuppressive agent may be an option. However, such a treatment technique is also critical for infectious diseases because it also suppresses immunity against bacteria that can be prevented by healthy adults. There are side effects that can have consequences, causing problems for long-term use. Therefore, existing treatment methods have limitations of insufficient efficacy, side effects, and the high cost of treatment.

This is a typical chronic disease that there is no complete cure yet, and there is a growing demand for new treatments. Also, the demand for the development of autoimmune diseases for new concept drugs which are highly efficient and cost-effective has been increasing. CentricsBio is developing CB501, a breakthrough autoimmune disease treatment that can eliminate the side effects of existing autoimmune diseases and improve the immune system to improve the quality of life of the people. We will contribute to the healthy and happy life of mankind through the development of CB501.