[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] STCube announced on the 30th that it has filed a U.S. patent for the development of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment using its self-developed immune checkpoint inhibitor substance, the ‘STT-003’ antibody.
The ‘STT-003’ antibody, which is undergoing clinical trials as an immune anticancer agent, can also be used as an antiviral treatment for diseases such as COVID-19 in addition to its anticancer immunotherapy applications.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors like the ‘STT-003’ antibody are known to activate immune cell functions in chronic inflammatory conditions and promote the secretion of immune cell-stimulating signaling molecules such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (Interferon-γ), making them applicable as antiviral treatments.
To develop a COVID-19 treatment, STCube signed a contract on the 23rd with Nexelis, a contract research organization (CRO) based in Canada, and is currently conducting preclinical studies on the ‘STT-003’ antibody.
In the preclinical studies, antiviral efficacy will be confirmed by utilizing lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection models and humanized mouse models to observe cytokine secretion patterns of immune cells and regulation of immune responses in the body.
The ‘STT-003’ antibody is expected to be particularly effective as an antiviral treatment for elderly patients with weakened immune functions and immunocompromised patients with underlying diseases.
An STCube representative stated, “We filed a U.S. patent to rapidly develop an antibody treatment for highly contagious and fatal viruses such as COVID-19. If antiviral treatment efficacy is proven through preclinical studies, we plan to promptly proceed with clinical trials for COVID-19.”
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