ChabioTech Obtains European Patent for 'Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation Method'

Massive Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells from One Donor for Treatment of 250,000 Patients

A worker is collecting cells in a biosafety cabinet for the manufacturing of advanced biopharmaceuticals. (Photo by Cha Biotech)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jihee Kim] Cha Biotech announced on the 10th that it had obtained a European patent on the 9th for a method of proliferating neural progenitor cells and a composition for treating neurological diseases containing the proliferated neural progenitor cells.

The newly acquired patent covers a technology for mass proliferation and culture of neural progenitor cells under hypoxic conditions. Neural progenitor cells refer to cells that can differentiate into various types of nerve cells.

By utilizing this patented technology, a small amount of neural progenitor cells isolated from a single donor can be mass-proliferated to a quantity sufficient to treat approximately 250,000 patients. The proliferated neural progenitor cells can be induced to differentiate into nerve cells and used for the treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Cha Biotech has already obtained domestic and European patents for the ‘method of inducing differentiation of neural progenitor cells into dopamine cells’ and a domestic patent for the ‘method of proliferating neural progenitor cells,’ and is currently in the process of registering a U.S. patent. With the acquisition of this European patent, the company has secured foundational technology for mass production, establishing a unique position in the development of cell therapies for brain and nervous system diseases not only domestically but also overseas. Cha Biotech is preparing to accelerate the commercialization of neurological disease treatments and is currently conducting preclinical trials to introduce clinical trials.

Oh Sang-hoon, CEO of Cha Biotech, said, “Cha Biotech has established a mass production process optimized for cell therapy development for brain and nervous system diseases, and through patent acquisition, our technology has been recognized not only in Korea but also in Europe,” adding, “Based on this patented technology, we will accelerate the development of cell therapies for brain and nervous system diseases such as Parkinson's disease.”