Huons is going to start developing antiviral drugs such as COVID-19 treatment. Huons announced on July 31 that it signed a technology transfer and joint R&D contract for raloxifene and 10 types of new materials that have been confirmed to have the effect of suppressing new coronavirus with Gyeonggi Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA) at Huons' headquarters in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, on July 30.
Huons was previously selected as the preferred bidder for the New Corona Antiviral Substances and Use Patent Technology Transfer" organized by the GBSA.
In response, Huons and the GBSA will push for the commercialization of raloxifene as the COVID-19 treatment as soon as possible through the exchange and joint research of information held by the government-affiliated organization and the company’s development capabilities, overseas clinical trials, and know-how to enter the business."
Huons will supply the clinical trial council with raloxifene. It also plans to start research on customized forms that are most effective in treatment. The clinical consultative body will include Ajou University Medical Center, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center, and GBSA.
Raloxifene is an osteoporosis treatment drug that has been confirmed to have the effect of suppressing the corona 19 virus through a joint study by the GBSA and the National Institute of Health of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition, Huons has secured exclusive rights to more than 10 types of antiviral substances being studied by the GBSA to cope with the new infectious disease virus that can occur at any time after the end of the COVID-19. These substances have been effective in suppressing infectious diseases that have spread worldwide such as MERS and SARS.
"The importance of developing antiviral drugs will grow in the future as the problem of spreading infectious diseases is not only short-term but prolonged," said Eom Ki-an, CEO of Huons. "We will actively exchange technology and know-how with the GBSA to develop treatments that can cope with various infectious diseases."
kslee@koreaittimes.com
