[Featured Stock] Aprogen KIC to Produce Up to 3000kg Annually of Infection-Blocking COVID-19 Fusion Antibodies

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] AprogenKIC is showing strong performance. The expectation for the fusion antibody against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) developed by Aprogen, which is pursuing a merger, appears to be influencing the stock price.

As of 11:12 AM on the 25th, AprogenKIC was trading at 2,945 KRW, up 11.13% (295 KRW) compared to the previous trading day.

Aprogen announced that the fusion antibody showed a strong blocking effect in COVID-19 virus infection tests conducted by domestic research institutions commissioned by Notus. The domestic research institutions, commissioned by Notus, analyzed the blocking of COVID-19 virus cell infection using candidate substances for COVID-19 treatment received from more than 10 companies and research institutes.

The AP85-1 fusion antibody demonstrated a strong blocking effect against COVID-19 virus infection and showed no cytotoxicity even at high concentrations.

Aprogen has additionally commissioned research on the AP85-2 fusion antibody, which binds more than five times stronger to the COVID-19 virus surface protein (S protein) than AP85-1. A company official explained, “We expect results within the next one to two weeks,” and added, “We anticipate that the AP85-2 fusion antibody will block cell infection caused by the COVID-19 virus far more effectively than any other antibody.”

Aprogen is currently negotiating with a global CRO company to conduct clinical trials in Europe, where there are many patients, using the AP85-2 fusion antibody. Preparatory work for mass production at the Osong plant has also begun. The Osong plant is equipped with the world’s fifth-largest production facility, capable of recovering an average of 240,000 liters of culture medium per batch, enabling an annual production capacity of up to 3,000 kg of antibodies.

A company representative stated, "We expect the AP85 fusion antibody to greatly help in preventing infections among vulnerable groups to COVID-19 and in treating severe patients as a method to reduce mortality rates."