Huons Secures Exclusive Rights to Over 10 Antiviral Substances... "Responding to New and Variant COVID-19 Strains"

Eom Gi-an, CEO of Huons (from the left in the photo), Yoon Sung-tae, Vice Chairman of Huons Global, Kim Ki-jun, Director of Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, Kim Pan-su, Director of the Bio Center, and Jung Gwi-wan, Senior Researcher, are posing for a commemorative photo on the 30th at Huons' headquarters in Pangyo, Seongnam, after signing a technology transfer and joint research and development agreement.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Huons announced on the 31st that it has signed a contract with the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency for the "technology transfer and joint research and development of raloxifene and 10 new substances confirmed to have inhibitory effects on the novel coronavirus." The signing ceremony held at the Pangyo headquarters the day before was attended by CEO Eom Ki-an and Kim Ki-jun, Director of the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, among others.

Previously, the company was selected as the preferred negotiator for technology transfer of substance and use patents by the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency. With this contract, they decided to solidify their cooperative relationship. First, they plan to commercialize raloxifene as a treatment for COVID-19 as soon as possible. Huons will supply clinical trial raloxifene and also begin research on customized formulations effective for treatment. The clinical consultation group includes Ajou University Medical Center, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do Medical Center, and the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency.

Raloxifene, originally an osteoporosis treatment, has been confirmed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and others to have inhibitory effects against the COVID-19 virus. Since it is already on the market, its safety is secured, which is an advantage in reducing development time.

The company also stated that it has secured exclusive rights to more than 10 antiviral substances to respond to new infectious diseases that may occur anytime after the end of COVID-19. These substances have been confirmed to have inhibitory effects on infectious disease viruses that have spread worldwide, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Huons plans to continue research to develop antiviral drugs that can counter new variant viruses in addition to COVID-19 treatments.

Huons CEO Eom Ki-an said, "As the issue of infectious disease spread is not short-term but prolonged, the importance of developing antiviral treatments will grow even more," adding, "We will strive to develop treatments that can respond to various infectious diseases."

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