Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Myung Hee-jun Achieves Preclinical Success with Endolysin

Preclinical Study Published in a Top Impact Factor Journal

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies announced on the 7th that Professor Hee-Jun Myung from the Department of Biotechnology published preclinical research results utilizing endolysin in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (a journal ranked in the top 10% by Impact Factor).

Myung Hee-jun, Professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

This study has attracted attention as a next-generation antibiotic candidate to address the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and multidrug resistance issues by demonstrating the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of engineered endolysin targeting Gram-negative pathogens.

In particular, the endolysin covered in this study received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for Phase 1 clinical trials in 2024, raising expectations as the world’s first candidate to enter clinical trials. In addition to Professor Hee-Jun Myung, the research involved Professor Mi-Ryung Song from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, researchers from Licentec Co., Ltd., Kangwon National University, Pusan National University, and Ajou University, and was conducted with support from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Professor Hee-Jun Myung stated, “In this era of a ‘silent pandemic’ caused by infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, I hope this research will serve as a turning point in antibiotic development,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure that domestic technology plays a leading role in the global pharmaceutical market through the development of new drugs derived from bacteriophages.”