Cellumed "Apimez, Domestic Cervical Cancer Vaccine Development... Research Contract with POSTECH"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Cellumed announced on the 22nd that it has signed a research contract related to the ‘Development of Production Technology for Cervical Cancer HPV Antibody Diagnostic Reagents and Vaccine Candidate Substances’ with its affiliate Apimez and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH).

Currently, MSD’s two products occupy 97.1% of the domestic cervical cancer vaccine market, effectively monopolizing the market. With MSD raising vaccine prices by 15% starting in April, the localization of cervical cancer vaccines has become even more urgent.

Cellumed recently signed a main contract with iGene to accelerate efficacy development in order to target the mRNA vaccine market. The company plans to expand into the mRNA-based vaccine and anticancer drug market by supplying mRNA production enzymes.

Through this research contract, Cellumed plans to accelerate its domestic cervical cancer market strategy by developing domestic cervical cancer vaccines and diagnostic kits together with its affiliate Apimez and POSTECH. Apimez, a subsidiary of InscoBio, holds patents related to cervical cancer treatment and preventive vaccines, which is expected to maximize synergy effects.

Professor Inhwan Hwang of POSTECH, the lead researcher, is an expert in plant recombinant protein development. Professor Hwang is jointly developing a COVID-19 candidate vaccine based on a plant production platform with Hanmi Science and BioApp, and has attracted attention for developing green vaccine technology that shows strong immune responses against both the South African variant virus and avian influenza.

As Professor Inhwan Hwang is an authority in plant recombinant protein development, Cellumed is expected to secure plant-based protein development technology as well. By acquiring plant platform-based proteins in addition to existing animal cell and E. coli platforms, the company is anticipated to expand its portfolio.

A company official stated, “Cervical cancer, one of the five major cancers in women, has a high recurrence rate, making preventive vaccines important; however, the market is currently monopolized by foreign companies.” He added, “Cellumed will expedite the commercialization of a native cervical cancer vaccine through collaboration with Apimez, a subsidiary of InscoBio, and Professor Inhwan Hwang, an authority on green vaccine technology based on a plant production platform.”

He continued, “In addition to developing cervical cancer vaccines, we plan to secure existing animal cell-based protein production technology and actively develop various anticancer drugs and vaccines based on transgenic plants.”

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