'COVID-19 Protein Vaccine' Candidate Developed... Preclinical Trials Targeted Within the Year

On the 6th, when the "Everyday Social Distancing" began, commuters were walking near Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul. From this day, various facilities that had been closed due to COVID-19 reopened, and events and gatherings were also permitted. However, "Everyday Social Distancing" does not mean a complete return to the previous normal or the end of COVID-19. The health authorities emphasized basic personal quarantine rules such as ▶ staying home for 3 to 4 days if sick ▶ maintaining a healthy distance of two arm lengths./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A 'protein vaccine' candidate substance that forms neutralizing antibodies to prevent the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) from penetrating human cells has been developed by domestic researchers. The research team plans to transfer the technology to a domestic startup and complete animal testing within the year. Attention is focused on whether this will open a new chapter in COVID-19 vaccine development.

The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) announced on the 6th that Dr. Daegyun Jeong's team at the institute's Infectious Disease Research Center and Professor Daeseop Song's team at Korea University College of Pharmacy developed a vaccine candidate substance using recombinant proteins of the COVID-19 virus and transferred the technology to the domestic bio company Hubet Bio.

A research team from Harvard University conducted a study on human relationships. Photo by Getty Images Bank

The newly developed substance has the efficacy to form neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19. Neutralizing antibodies bind to the spike protein on the surface of the COVID-19 virus, preventing the virus from entering cells. The research team demonstrated this through various animal experiments, including rodents.

Protein vaccines are known to have higher safety compared to other types of vaccines. Pneumococcal vaccines and foot-and-mouth disease vaccines are examples of protein vaccines commercialized for human or animal use.

The research team received COVID-19 samples in February and conducted research on the vaccine candidate substance at Jeongeup Division ABL3 (Animal Biosafety Level 3 research facility) and Jeonbuk National University Zoonosis Research Institute ABL3, developing the substance within a month.

Going forward, the research team plans to form an industry-academia-research joint team with Hubet Bio and Optipharm to conduct challenge experiments (evaluating protective ability by directly infecting vaccinated animals with the virus) in COVID-19 infected animals (such as rodents).

Dr. Daegyun Jeong of KRIBB stated, "This research result is expected not only to secure vaccine development platform technology for viral infectious diseases but also to greatly contribute to the development of vaccines for new and mutated viruses that can protect the health of the public and alleviate anxiety caused by infectious diseases."

Meanwhile, Hubet Bio signed a technology transfer contract for two technologies, including the COVID-19 vaccine candidate substance, with an upfront technology fee of 200 million KRW and a running royalty of 1.5% of total sales. Hubet Bio plans to consult with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety aiming to complete preclinical trials within the year.

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