Aprogen Advances 5x More Effective AP85-2 for COVID-19 Infection Blockade in European Trials... More Effective Than Vaccines in Development

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Aprogen, which is pursuing a merger with Aprogen KIC, announced that the fusion antibody it developed against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has shown a blocking effect.

Aprogen stated on the 25th that the fusion antibody demonstrated a strong blocking effect in a COVID-19 virus infection test conducted by a domestic research institute commissioned by Notus.

The domestic research institute commissioned by Notus received COVID-19 therapeutic candidate substances from more than 10 companies and research institutes and analyzed the blocking of COVID-19 virus cell infection.

According to Aprogen, the AP85-1 fusion antibody commissioned by the company showed a blocking effect against COVID-19 virus infection, and no cytotoxicity was observed even at high concentrations.

Aprogen has additionally commissioned a research institute to study the AP85-2 fusion antibody, which binds more than five times stronger to the COVID-19 virus surface protein (S protein) than AP85-1. A company official explained, "We expect results within 1 to 2 weeks," and added, "We anticipate that the AP85-2 fusion antibody will block cell infection caused by the COVID-19 virus far more effectively than any other antibody."

Aprogen is currently negotiating with a global CRO company to conduct clinical trials in Europe, where there are many patients, using the AP85-2 fusion antibody. Preparations for mass production at the Osong plant have also begun. The Osong plant is equipped with the world's fifth-largest production facility, capable of recovering an average of 240,000 liters of culture medium per batch, enabling the production of up to 3,000 kg of antibodies annually.

A company official said, "Although global pharmaceutical companies are developing vaccines, vaccines are not very effective for vulnerable groups such as the elderly because antibodies are not well produced," and added, "For vulnerable groups, the only preventive method is to externally administer COVID-19 blocking antibodies into the body."

Furthermore, the official stated, "We expect that our AP85 fusion antibody will greatly help prevent infection and treat severe patients among COVID-19 vulnerable groups as a method to reduce mortality."

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