Biopharma Collaborates with Hanguk Liposome for mRNA Vaccine Development

Kim Andre, CEO of Korea Liposome, and Choi Seungpil, CEO of Biopharma, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a research and development cooperation agreement for advanced mRNA vaccine development.

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Biopharma announced on the 18th that it has signed a research and development cooperation agreement (MOU) with Korea Liposome, a company specializing in liposome development, for the development of advanced messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines.

Through this agreement, both companies will mutually cooperate to develop and commercialize advanced liposome-based mRNA vaccines capable of responding to COVID-19 variants such as Omicron by utilizing Korea Liposome's various production development technologies and know-how.

Korea Liposome is a drug delivery system (DDS) development company and a liposome-specialized venture company that supports the commercialization of health functional food companies.

Biopharma is conducting research and development of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics based on its proprietary cationic delivery material 'SG6.' Through this MOU, it plans to accelerate the clinical and commercialization development of mRNA vaccines currently in the preclinical stage. In particular, it aims to develop a new vaccine platform that can overcome the issues of ultra-low temperature storage and distribution by further enhancing related delivery technology.

Andre Kim, CEO of Korea Liposome, said, “We will combine Biopharma’s mRNA SG6-based vaccine manufacturing technology with our liposome manufacturing technology to develop a formulation optimized for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines,” adding, “We will collaborate with Biopharma on research and development for the commercialization of advanced biopharmaceuticals based on liposomes.”

Seungpil Choi, CEO of Biopharma, also stated, “We have created an opportunity to quickly develop multivalent mRNA vaccines capable of responding to COVID-19 variants by solving the problems of mRNA vaccines that were difficult to distribute in underdeveloped countries due to ultra-low temperature storage and distribution issues,” and expressed his aspiration, “We will jointly explore new businesses in the mRNA vaccine field and develop into a leading company in new drug development using advanced liposomes through the advancement of vaccine business using liposomes and creation of high added value.”