[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Cellumed is accelerating the supply of domestic and international mRNA production enzymes by joining the vaccine company consortium.
Cellumed announced on the 25th that it has joined the vaccine production materials and components subcommittee of the vaccine company consortium, which consists of the government and numerous domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies.
The "vaccine company consortium" is a coalition centered around the government, where companies unite to maximize domestic vaccine production capabilities, expand global vaccine supply, and leap forward as a global vaccine hub. It currently consists of 38 pharmaceutical and bio companies including iGene, Celltrion, Samsung Biologics, ST Pharm, Ilyang Pharmaceutical, five related associations, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.
Cellumed joined the vaccine company consortium as one of the few domestic developers of mRNA vaccine production enzymes in the challenging domestic vaccine raw materials development environment. Including iGene, which signed a main contract for joint cooperation in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine research, development, and commercialization, Cellumed plans to focus on the stable supply of production enzymes to domestic mRNA vaccine developers. In the future, it is preparing supply contracts for mRNA production enzymes with global pharmaceutical companies beyond Korea.
With the government promoting a policy of advance purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from domestic vaccine developers, research and development by vaccine companies is gaining momentum. Accordingly, Cellumed is accelerating the development and production of mRNA vaccine production enzymes, which are the most effective among COVID-19 vaccines.
Currently, the most spotlighted vaccines worldwide are the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Although at least five types of production enzymes are required to produce these vaccines, there are only a few companies globally that can stably produce GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)-grade mRNA production enzymes.
Due to the relative scarcity of companies producing mRNA production enzymes, vaccine developers are also focusing on the stable procurement of mRNA production enzymes. For domestic and international mRNA vaccine companies that inevitably receive supplies later than leading companies, smooth supply of mRNA production enzymes is emerging as a potential risk.
To resolve this situation, Cellumed is exploring ways to accelerate production not only by developing and producing GMP-grade mRNA production enzymes independently but also by reviewing joint development and production with two global European companies capable of CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) for mRNA production enzymes. Among these, a contract with German Company A is expected to be finalized in September, and full-scale joint development will begin.
Additionally, Cellumed is expanding domestic mRNA production enzyme development facilities, which is expected to meet the market demand for mRNA production enzymes. A Cellumed official explained, "As the mRNA era has rapidly arrived due to COVID-19, the global bio industry is accelerating not only mRNA vaccine development but also therapeutic development," adding, "Demand for mRNA production enzymes is expected to increase explosively." He further stated, "To enter the production enzyme market early, Cellumed plans to make every effort including self-investment, actively attracting government funds and institutional investments, expanding facilities and development personnel, and signing additional CDMO contracts."
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