MedPacto-Theragen Etex to co-develop antibody new drugs with GenScript

MedPacto and its affiliate, Theragen Etex, have signed a memorandum of understanding with global CDMO service provider, GenScript to develop antibody new drugs jointly.

GenScript, headquartered in New Jersey, U.S. and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is a bio company providing various contract development and manufacturing organization services focusing on manufacturing research specimens, gene and cell therapies.

The three companies will collaborate to find, manufacture and conduct clinical trials of candidate substances for antibody treatments.

From left, Theragen Etex CEO Ryoo Byung-hwan, MedPacto CEO Kim Sung-jin, and Genｓｃｒｉｐｔ Director Brian Min (on-screen) signed an MOU to develop antibody new drugs at MedPacto headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. (MedPacto)

“Since there are no treatments for rare, incurable diseases, the three decided to focus on developing the new pipeline as they can quickly commercialize these drugs once they pass the trials,” a MedPacto official told Korea Biomedical Review on Friday.

MedPacto plans to promote candidate materials for new pipelines, and Theragen Etex will jointly discover antibody treatments related to incurable cancer and chronic immune diseases based on new targets discovered by gene analysis.

“We have secured various biomarkers that show valid properties in treating cancer patients through genetic analysis. Based on the finding, we expect to start developing innovative new drugs in earnest,” MedPacto CEO Kim Sung-jin said.

Theragen Etex CEO Ryoo Byung-hwan also said, “We will combine GenScript’s antibody-drug developing technology and our genetic analysis and experience to develop new medicines and promote global new pipelines.”

Brian Min, director of CDMO at GenScript, said, “We will support MedPacto and Theragen Etex with excellent R&D capability and innovativeness to establish a good partnership in the antibody new drug sector.