QuadMedicine Co., Ltd. (CEO Seung-gi Baek), a medical microneedle platform specialist preparing for a KOSDAQ listing together with NH Investment & Securities, announced on the 19th that it has signed a commercialization-linked vaccine MAP (Microneedle Array Patch) development contract with the multinational pharmaceutical company GSK (GlaxoSmithKline).
QuadMedicine conducted preliminary research using a vaccine independently developed and currently in clinical trials by GSK Vaccine Institute for Global Health (GVGH), successfully demonstrating immunogenicity with pharmaceutical microneedle technology. Based on this, the company secured a contract with GSK headquarters for the commercialization of vaccine microneedle patches. This news follows the recent achievement of obtaining the first domestic Phase 1 clinical IND (Investigational New Drug application) approval for a hepatitis B vaccine microneedle patch in Korea.
This contract involves developing and manufacturing vaccine microneedle patches for two candidate vaccine substances requested by GSK headquarters, and verifying efficacy and safety through animal testing. Development fees will be received at each stage of vaccine microneedle patch development, and the initial payment was received on the day of the announcement.
A QuadMedicine representative stated, “This contract will not only promote the development and clinical entry of medical microneedles leading to commercialization but is also expected to serve as an important foothold for domestic companies to enter the global market. By clearly defining the outcomes during the research and development process, we aim to secure innovative technology and launch the world’s first commercialized product.”
While microneedles are mainly known domestically for cosmetics, overseas they are recognized as a drug delivery platform technology, especially for preventive vaccines. According to industry experts, several multinational pharmaceutical companies are focusing on pharmaceutical microneedles as an alternative to overcome the drawbacks of injectable vaccines. This technology has also attracted greater attention with support from global non-profit organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for international health promotion.
QuadMedicine CEO Seung-gi Baek said, “This contract signing is the first case of a domestic microneedle company conducting full-scale commercialization with a global company, reflecting recognition of our company’s technological capabilities and innovation on the global stage. We will take the lead in strengthening the competitiveness of the medical microneedle industry through cooperation between domestic and international companies.”
QuadMedicine possesses microneedle platform technology that can be widely applied to transdermally delivered vaccine drugs, synthetic pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic medical devices. Microneedles are convergent medical products combining pharmaceuticals and medical devices, minimizing side effects of conventional subcutaneous injections or oral medications while simultaneously enhancing patient convenience. Medical microneedles are still an uncommercialized technology; while overseas companies remain in early development stages, QuadMedicine has established an automated production system within a cleanroom and is actively creating cooperative models with numerous domestic and international pharmaceutical companies based on this system.
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