South Korea-based LISCure Biosciences Inc has signed a know-how license and development collaboration agreement and stock purchase agreement with United States-based Mayo Clinic, to advance LISCure's microbiome therapeutics in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), it was reported on Monday.

Both parties previously entered into a research collaboration agreement in the first half of 2021 for NASH candidates.

According to the contract, LISCure will receive Mayo Clinic's know-how to set up a new drug development of NASH program. Under the agreement, Mayo Clinic will become a shareholder in LISCure. Both firms will pursue the common goal of maximising the value of LISCure's therapeutics in metabolic diseases by expanding research and development activities such as discovering new indications and additional value-added candidates.

LISCure aims to minimise trial and error in preparation for a phase two clinical trial of its NASH candidate in the United States in 2022 by collaborating with Mayo Clinic.