16 Domestic Pharmaceutical and Bio Companies Launch Development of COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccines

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads, 16 domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies have embarked on developing treatments and vaccines. With the number of patients rapidly increasing not only in Korea but also worldwide including the United States and Europe, and the likelihood of a prolonged epidemic similar to seasonal flu, the industry anticipates substantial future demand for treatments and vaccines. However, since developing new drugs or vaccines takes considerable time, maintaining steady momentum in development is considered crucial.

According to related industry sources on the 16th, about six domestic companies are known to be developing vaccines for COVID-19 prevention. SK Bioscience and GC Green Cross participated in different projects announced by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while Boryung Biopharma and G-Plus Life Sciences have also begun research for vaccine development.

GenNBio, which has expertise in xenotransplantation, formed a consortium with the International Vaccine Institute, KAIST, and POSTECH to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. This company specializes in xenotransplantation, where non-clinical trials related to immunity are important during organ transplantation, and thus it is playing a key role in the research process. The plan is to submit a clinical trial application to authorities as early as June and start clinical trials from July.

Ten companies are identified as conducting research and development on treatments. Seo Jung-jin, chairman of Celltrion, recently stated, "We have obtained blood from recovered patients and aim to produce clinical-grade antibodies by May at the earliest and begin clinical trials within six months," adding, "We will conduct animal trials concurrently and accelerate progress by increasing patient numbers at each clinical stage."

Korea United Pharm is preparing for Phase 1 clinical trials of a treatment that suppresses airway inflammation to prevent progression to severe pneumonia, while Cellivery, developing a treatment for severe sepsis, is negotiating with a Chinese pharmaceutical company to expedite clinical procedures locally. Additionally, Novacell Technology, ImmunMed, Eutilex, Genomictree, Kainosmes, Komipharm, and Gemvax are developing new drugs such as immunotherapies and antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

The key issue is how much the clinical trial period can be shortened. The World Health Organization estimates that COVID-19 treatments will take about 18 months at the earliest, assuming clinical processes proceed smoothly. Remdesivir, currently recruiting patients for Phase 3 clinical trials in Korea and China, was originally developed as an Ebola virus treatment but has gained attention as a potential 'drug repositioning' case due to its efficacy against COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.