Cleo SG Achieves World’s First Development of a Vaccine for Simultaneous Prevention of SFTS and HFRS

ImmunoVaxBio, a subsidiary of CreoESG, has successfully completed the national project "Next-Generation Premium Vaccine Development" led by the Gyeongbuk Bio Industry Institute. On the 28th, ImmunoVaxBio announced that through this national project, it developed a bivalent combined vaccine capable of simultaneously preventing Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).

ImmunoVaxBio has participated in the vaccine development national project since April 2020 in collaboration with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). IVI verified the vaccine’s immunogenicity and neutralizing antibody induction, while ImmunoVaxBio was responsible for antigen design and vaccine production by applying VSV vector technology based on its proprietary vaccine development platform, ‘SUV-MAP.’

ImmunoVaxBio utilized the ‘membrane protein gene’ present in the envelope surrounding infectious disease viruses to discover vaccine candidates for both SFTS and HFRS. It was confirmed that neutralizing antibodies were formed upon administration of the SFTS and HFRS vaccines, thereby establishing an immune response.

When the two monovalent vaccines for SFTS and HFRS were administered in combination, neutralizing antibodies against each virus were induced, resulting in the world’s first bivalent SFTS-HFRS vaccine. Both SFTS and HFRS currently have no commercialized vaccines and have fatality rates of 10-30% and 35-40%, respectively. In particular, SFTS, which is transmitted by ticks, has seen the first domestic death this year and nationwide outbreaks have been reported, leading to high domestic and international vaccine demand.

A company representative stated, “Existing recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccines often face approval delays due to concerns about neurotoxicity. However, ImmunoVaxBio’s rVSV vaccine minimizes toxicity through attenuation, maximizing safety.” He added, “We will continue cooperation with IVI centered on the world’s first bivalent SFTS-HFRS vaccine to secure pipeline achievements such as technology export and global clinical trials.”

He further noted, “In addition to the national project led by the Gyeongbuk Bio Industry Institute, we are participating in additional national projects related to SFTS-HFRS vaccine development led by IVI, and we plan to proceed with national projects for clinical trial initiation in the future.” He added, “We will continue to develop various infectious disease virus vaccines based on SUV-MAP.”

A representative from the Gyeongbuk Bio Industry Institute, which led this national project, said, “It is meaningful that the vaccine development led by our institute has achieved results.” He emphasized, “It is even more significant that we can promote the commercialization of the SFTS-HFRS vaccine through collaboration with ImmunoVaxBio, which possesses development capabilities beyond basic vaccine discovery research.”

CreoESG has decided to merge its subsidiary ImmunoVaxBio to lead its bio business. The merger date is set for August 30.