[Featured Stock] Sejong Medical Rises on Genensel's Oral COVID-19 Treatment Clinical Approval

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Sejong Medical is on the rise. It appears that the news of Genensel receiving approval for the domestic Phase 2 and 3 clinical trial plans (IND) for an oral COVID-19 treatment influenced this trend.

As of 9:14 AM on the 27th, Sejong Medical was trading at 7,820 KRW, up 3.44% (260 KRW) compared to the previous trading day.

Genensel announced on the 26th that it had received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for the domestic Phase 2 and 3 clinical trial plans (IND) of the oral COVID-19 treatment 'ES16001.'

The company explained that this signifies the official start of global clinical trials for the COVID-19 treatment. The global trials will be conducted in five countries, including South Korea, three European countries, and India, involving approximately 1,100 participants to verify the dosage and efficacy of ‘ES16001.’

The clinical trials will focus on preventing the progression to severe disease in early infected patients, thereby reducing hospitalization and mortality rates, and achieving full recovery from mild conditions. ‘ES16001’ is a new drug candidate based on a novel material extracted from the leaves of the domestically native plant, Dambalsu, and was co-developed by Genensel and Kyung Hee University Biomedical Research Center.

‘ES16001’ has a mechanism that inhibits viral infection and replication, as well as suppresses host cell invasion and reactivation. It is expected to inhibit the binding activity of the RBD (receptor-binding domain) of ‘SARS-CoV2,’ the virus causing COVID-19, and alleviate symptoms.

Meanwhile, Sejong Medical is the largest shareholder of Genensel.