[Featured Stock] Korea BNC, Omicron Pandemic Before the Storm... Plans for Mass Production of Potent Variant Treatment

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Korea BNC is showing strong performance day after day. As the new COVID-19 variant Omicron spreads rapidly, the number of confirmed cases is surging, increasing the need for new treatments. The expectation that Antroquinonol, currently in Phase 2 clinical trials approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will have a high antiviral inhibitory effect against COVID-19 variants appears to be influencing the stock price.

As of 11:05 a.m. on the 20th, Korea BNC is trading at 31,200 KRW, up 10.64% from the previous trading day. This marks the fourth consecutive day of gains.

In Europe, including the UK and Russia, the number of new daily confirmed cases recently reached the highest levels since early last year when COVID-19 began to spread in earnest. The seasonal characteristic of increased indoor activities during the pandemic, along with the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, is believed to be contributing factors.

Earlier, on the 15th, Korea BNC confirmed through PCT patent application materials from Taiwan’s Golden Biotech that Antroquinonol has excellent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects, and stated that it is expected to be effective against variant viruses.

Korea BNC introduced that the recently received PCT patent application content from Golden Biotech pertains to a treatment method using cyclohexenone substances and pharmaceutical compositions containing these substances for diseases caused by RNA viruses such as coronaviruses. They concluded that Antroquinonol compounds exhibit excellent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects related to the COVID-19 virus.

A company official explained, "It can be seen that Antroquinonol shows excellent antiviral effects as well as inhibitory effects on virus-induced inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis." He added, "If the NSP7 protein, which Antroquinonol acts upon, maintains complementarity with variant viruses, Antroquinonol is expected to have a high antiviral inhibitory effect against variant viruses as well."

Antroquinonol is reported to inhibit the substrate of RhoGTPase (RAS-related GTPase group A), which is involved in viral entry, movement, and proliferation, and by inhibiting the interacting NSP7 protein, it can suppress viral replication. NSP7 is known to maintain high complementarity despite species differences in coronaviruses.

It is currently undergoing clinical trials approved by the U.S. FDA for patients with mild to moderate symptoms hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection in the United States, Peru, and Argentina. According to the clinical trial registration site (Clinicaltrials.gov), the clinical trial is expected to conclude in December, with results anticipated soon.

Upon confirming efficacy and safety through Phase 2 clinical trial results, Korea BNC plans to apply for emergency use authorization from the U.S. FDA. If emergency use authorization is granted by the FDA, demand for the treatment is expected to surge, leading to an increase in production and supply.

Korea BNC completed the construction of a pharmaceutical GMP production facility in Sejong City in November last year and applied for GMP conformity assessment in October. The company plans to obtain GMP approval for pharmaceutical manufacturing within a short period and mass-produce and supply Antroquinonol to Korea, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and other countries.