BioPlus Signs Joint Development Agreement for Virus Therapeutics with NobleGen and Gachon University

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] BioPlus (CEO Jeong Hyunkyoo) announced on the 23rd that it has signed a 'Joint Development Agreement for Human Viral Disease Therapeutics' with NobleGen (CEO Kim Taehyun), a company specializing in virus therapeutic development, and Professor Kim Moonil (Department of Nanobio) and Professor Kim Iltae (Department of Chemical Engineering) at Gachon University, who possess nanotechnology-based biomacromolecule technology.

From the left, Professor Moonil Kim of the Department of Nanobio at Gachon University, Professor Iltae Kim of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Seungin Choi, Head of Research at BioPlus, and Youngjun Kim, Head of Research at NobleGen. / Photo by BioPlus

This agreement expands on the existing agreement previously signed between BioPlus and NobleGen by incorporating Gachon University's nanotechnology-based biomacromolecule technology as a core technology. The ultimate goal is to develop therapeutics for various viral diseases such as COVID-19, AIDS, and hepatitis by enhancing the stability of antiviral antibodies and developing optimized formulations tailored to each infection.

Accordingly, BioPlus, NobleGen, and Gachon University have agreed to collaborate across the entire process, including ▲development of raw materials with antiviral activity and stabilization materials using nanotechnology-based biomacromolecules ▲formulation development using these materials ▲clinical trials and regulatory approval ▲production and sales.

NobleGen will be responsible for developing core therapeutic agents against viruses, Gachon University will develop nanotechnology-based biomacromolecule materials to be used as stabilization agents for the therapeutic substances, and BioPlus will handle formulation development including therapeutic substances, clinical trials, regulatory approval, production, and sales.

A company representative stated, "Through this joint development agreement, we expect to maximize mutual synergy, enabling the development of various viral disease therapeutics with stable and sustained efficacy. In particular, we will focus on developing customized therapeutics according to the causes of viral diseases through various formulation types such as topical agents, injectables, and oral medications."

NobleGen is a biotechnology company developing broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics based on antibody engineering technology. Recently, through patents and publications, it disclosed NVG308, a therapeutic agent effective against both COVID-19 virus and influenza virus.

NVG308 is a mini-antibody that directly hydrolyzes viral nucleic acids, acting regardless of viral genetics to exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Accordingly, it is an innovative broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutic agent effective against variants or resistant viruses caused by genetic mutations.

The team of Professors Kim Moonil and Kim Iltae at Gachon University is expected to contribute to the successful development of various viral disease therapeutics by providing means to enhance the stability of NobleGen’s antibody-based antiviral materials and significantly extend the duration of efficacy through their experience in polymer nanotechnology development.

Jeong Hyunkyoo, CEO of BioPlus, emphasized, "We will actively utilize the technologies and infrastructure possessed by our company, NobleGen, and Gachon University to create optimal synergy. We will focus on developing effective therapeutics not only for viral skin diseases such as shingles but also for viral respiratory diseases like COVID-19, viral infections such as HIV, and various other viral diseases."

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