The bio-venture Bio App, which signed a research and development cooperation with Hanmi Science on June 16, announced on July 9 that it is currently producing various COVID-19 plant vaccine candidate antigen proteins and has confirmed high antibody reactions in mouse and guinea pig animal tests using them.
In addition, a research team led by Professor Kim Dong-min of Chosun University's College of Medicine conducted two rounds of mouse immunization tests using antigens produced by Bio App and various immuno-enhancing agents from Quratis.
The research team confirmed that not only cell-borne and body-liquid immune responses were activated, but also positive antibody reactions were found at 16,000 times with the ELISA method.
"We are currently preparing to analyze 'neutral antibodies' that can neutralize the COVID-19 virus," Bio App said. "Based on antibody figures, we are confident that large amounts of neutralizing antibodies have been formed."
Sohn Eun-joo, CEO of Bio App, said, "This is the first result to prove the possibility of a vaccine for Corona 19 antigen protein produced in plants. The research team will then analyze the effectiveness of virus defense through an attack inoculation test using ferret and hamster animal models."
Meanwhile, on July 7, GSK, Britain's leading pharmaceutical company and well-known for its infectious disease-specialized drug, announced its cooperation with Canadian plant vaccine company Medicago. It has the same form of vaccine as VLP (Virus Like Particle), a plant-derived product jointly developed by Hanmi Science and Bio App.
The Covid MDT program, a fusion of Hanmi Science’s accumulated pharmaceutical biotechnology and Bi App's innovative plant vaccine technology, was further accelerated by the first successful animal experiment and GSK's participation, and both companies said they would do their best to make Korea a leader in green bio.
kslee@koreaittimes.com
