[Asia Economy Reporter Youngwon Kim] NKMAX has initiated research on Parkinson's disease based on its NK cell therapy platform 'SuperNK (SNK)'.
NKMAX's subsidiary, NKGEN Biotech, announced on the 4th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Parkinson Foundation in the United States to promote Parkinson's disease research.
The Parkinson Foundation provides various information about Parkinson's disease, free genetic testing and counseling, opportunities to participate in clinical research, expansion of a global treatment network, and grant support. Since 1957, it has invested over $400 million (approximately 570 billion KRW) in Parkinson's disease research and clinical treatment.
Based on this MOU, NKMAX plans to intensify Parkinson's disease research through various collaborations with the Parkinson Foundation, including information exchange, human resource support, seeking clinical participation opportunities, and grant support.
Although there are more than 10 million patients worldwide with Parkinson's disease, only symptom-relieving drugs exist, and there are no drugs that address the fundamental causes.
Paul Song, Vice President of NKGEN Biotech, stated, "Numerous research papers have reported that NK cells can remove alpha-synuclein protein and suppress autoreactive T cells, which may help in treating Parkinson's disease. Since SNK has already shown effects in halting the progression and alleviating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease among neurodegenerative diseases, we expect to identify new mechanisms in Parkinson's disease as well."
John L. Lehr, CEO of the Parkinson Foundation, said, "Through this agreement, our foundation expects that the SNK platform can approach innovative treatments for Parkinson's disease. We will support the development of NK cell therapies that can be rapidly applied in Parkinson's disease treatment to provide medical solutions for intractable diseases."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
