[Q&A] "Domestic Diagnostic Reagents 150,000 Tests on 10th, 600,000 Tests on 15th Exported to the US"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 14th, the government announced that antibody drugs using the blood of recovered patients from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are targeted to be developed as early as next year, and plasma treatments are aimed to be developed within 2 to 3 months.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, "We have prepared a pan-government support system operation plan to support the early success of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines," adding this.

The government is currently promoting the development of antibody drugs and plasma treatments using the blood of recovered patients, while rapidly supporting clinical trials for 'drug repositioning' that expands the use of existing medicines to develop treatments available within the year.

Head Yoon said, "Antibody drugs aim to enter clinical trials within this year and could be released as early as next year," and added, "Plasma treatments are also being jointly researched with domestic companies, and with a large amount of blood secured, we are pushing forward with the goal of developing treatments within 2 to 3 months."

The government also set the target timeline for domestic vaccine development to the second half of 2021 or 2022. Head Yoon explained, "Currently, various platform vaccine research is being promoted through public-private cooperation and international collaborative research."

Head Yoon said, "Treatments and vaccines are mountains that must be overcome for the complete eradication of COVID-19," and added, "We will provide focused support to ensure the early success of treatment and vaccine development."

◇Below is a Q&A with Head Yoon regarding COVID-19 treatment and vaccine development

- COVID-19 diagnostic reagents will be exported to the U.S. on the 15th. Could you elaborate?

▲ All of these reagents are gene amplification (RT-PCR) reagents. Following the export of 150,000 units on the 10th, an additional 600,000 units are scheduled to be shipped tomorrow.

- Many pharmaceutical companies are developing COVID-19 related drugs. Has there been progress in discussions regarding expedited review guidelines?

▲ Regarding expedited review, discussions are ongoing about easing various procedural regulations such as exemption criteria for Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and Institutional Bioethics Committees.

- Is the blood supply for plasma treatment development stable?

▲ Currently, due to COVID-19, there are fluctuations depending on the situation. It is somewhat maintained but is known to be at about a 4-day supply level, slightly below the basic 5-day standard.

The blood used in plasma treatments comes from recovered patients. That is, patients who were infected with COVID-19, received a recovery diagnosis, and were discharged provide this plasma. This is not mandatory; it requires the donor's consent, meaning recovered patients who express the intention, "I will actively help treat other severe patients by providing my blood," are the ones from whom blood is collected. Therefore, it hardly affects the overall supply volume.

However, blood related to transfusions previously done in medical institutions is sufficiently managed through the Red Cross or blood supply sources, and every effort is being made from multiple angles to provide the necessary blood to medical institutions.

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