GemVax, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, and CurePSP Establish International PSP

GemVax & Kael announced on the 6th that it will establish the 'International Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Treatment Center' together with Bundang Seoul National University Hospital and CurePSP.

The three organizations signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a center encompassing medical treatment, education, research, and commercialization to conquer rare and intractable diseases such as PSP, a global challenge in the aging era.

The signing ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on the 6th in the main conference room of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital. Attendees included Song Jeong-han, director of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Professor Jeon Sang-hoon, Dr. Kristophe Diaz, CEO of CurePSP, and Lee Seok-jun, CEO of GemVax.

The International PSP Treatment Center aims to promote various projects to overcome degenerative neurological diseases with high unmet medical needs worldwide. Additionally, it will actively engage in the treatment and management of addiction-related diseases such as drug addiction.

Bundang Seoul National University Hospital plans to support stable center operations and lead advancements in medical treatment, education, and research. CurePSP, a U.S.-based nonprofit charitable organization, will provide advisory roles on overall operations, including building international-scale infrastructure, utilizing its global network and research achievements accumulated over more than 30 years. GemVax will provide funding necessary for the establishment and operation of the center and lead the research, development, and commercialization of PSP treatment drugs.

The International PSP Treatment Center is expected to possess world-class competitiveness by integrating the infrastructure and know-how of each institution. Through this, it is anticipated to realize public benefits for socially marginalized groups while contributing to enhancing Korea's status globally.

CurePSP is a leading nonprofit organization aiming to raise awareness, provide medical treatment, and develop therapies for three neurodegenerative diseases: progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA).

A GemVax official stated, "The International PSP Treatment Center will elevate domestic capabilities related to rare diseases, including medical treatment, professional workforce training, and new drug development, to a global level." He added, "We hope the International PSP Treatment Center will function as a hub that quickly supplies safe and effective drugs to domestic and international patients suffering from rare intractable diseases and provides world-class treatment."

PSP is an intractable Parkinsonian syndrome that shows symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease but progresses faster and has no fundamental cure. Its main symptoms include gait disturbance, postural instability, cognitive decline, ocular motor dysfunction, and sleep disorders, with the cause of onset still unknown.

In October, GemVax announced the topline results of the Phase 2 clinical trial for PSP at the ‘Neuro2024’ conference held in Canada. The trend shown by GV1001 compared to the placebo group and the drug’s safety received high praise from global experts.