GC Green Cross Initiates Development of COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutics

Electron microscope image of the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2)

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] GC Green Cross announced on the 9th that it has decided to undertake a national project on the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) commissioned by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. This government development project, jointly supported by GC Green Cross and Mokam Life Science Research Institute, involves the "Development of a synthetic antigen-based COVID-19 subunit vaccine candidate" and the "Discovery of preclinical candidate monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of the 2019 novel coronavirus."

The vaccine development plan is to identify candidate substances among the proteins expressed on the surface of the coronavirus using the subunit method and produce them in large quantities through genetic recombination technology. Unlike attenuated vaccines that use viruses or bacteria, subunit vaccines utilize proteins to ensure safety. To enhance vaccine efficacy, an adjuvant will be used together. For the therapeutic agent, the plan is to isolate B cells that produce antibodies from the blood of confirmed patients and discover candidate therapeutic antibodies. Subsequently, recombinant technology will be employed to develop monoclonal antibody therapeutics.

The company stated that since Mokam Life Science Research Institute possesses platform technology for genetic recombination and monoclonal antibody therapeutic development, it will expedite therapeutic development by securing effective antibody sequences from the blood of confirmed patients. Yoo Hyun-ah, head of GC Green Cross Comprehensive Research Institute, said, "We plan to develop effective vaccines and therapeutics by leveraging our accumulated R&D capabilities through the development of various existing vaccines and genetic recombination therapeutics."

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