Apicell Therapeutics “We will achieve innovation in stem cell treatment with Daewoong Pharmaceutical2 Jul 2022 10:33
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Interview] Jong-sang Yoo, CEO of Apicell
Therapeutics “Goal to develop CAR-T treatment for stem cell”
Recently, there is a company that draws attention from the industry by signing active partnerships with domestic bio companies. That's Apicell Therapeutics. GeneScript Probio, Biocytogen, and Korea Non-clinical Technology Support Center are showing off their presence by holding hands one after another.
In addition, it has a unique history of being a mesenchymal stem cell-based next-generation gene and cell therapy development company established through a joint investment between Daewoong Pharmaceutical, a domestic pharmaceutical company, and Avacta Life Science, a British company.
Accordingly, this paper met with Jongsang Yoo, CEO of Apicell Therapeutics in person to hear about Apicell Therapeutics' platform technology, future R&D plans, and mid- to long-term corporate vision.
First, when interest in gene and cell therapy is growing recently and many companies are jumping into R&D, when asked what Apicel Therapeutics' unique technology and strengths are, CEO Yoo Jong-sang said, "Securing excellent platform technology is difficult with other bio companies. It's different," he said.
CEO Yoo said, “The AFX platform technology developed by Apicell Therapeutics is based on Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s mesenchymal stem cell platform ‘DW-MSC’ technology. DW-MSC is a technology that overcomes the limitations of adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which were difficult to subculture for a long time.”
He continued, “In addition, to further strengthen the immunomodulatory function, the analogue 'Affimer' developed by Avacta is applied through genetic manipulation. It is now possible to develop a stem cell treatment with enhanced immunomodulatory ability through genetic manipulation.”
If so, what was the reason for bringing the technologies of the two companies together?
Regarding this, CEO Yoo said, “Immune cell development and stem cell development started at the same time. In the case of immune cell development, innovation such as CAR-T treatment has been achieved, while stem cell development has been stagnant. “I came to the conclusion that innovation can only be achieved by applying genetic manipulation to stem cells, like CAR-T treatment, rather than just emphasizing culture technology,” he said.
He continued, "I was looking for another platform technology that could be fused through genetic manipulation, and the meeting with Avacta took place," he explained.
According to CEO Yoo, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, which has been discovering partners for stem cell treatment development, held its first meeting with Avacta at the 2018 Bio International (BIO USA) event. In January 2019, the following year, the two companies met again at the JP Morgan Bio Health Conference