Daewoong Pharmaceutical(157,500 +3.96%)Announced on the 1st that Apicel Therapeutics, made with Abakta in the UK, has attracted 8 billion won worth of’Series A’investment.
Shinhan Venture Investment, Smilegate Investment, Shinhan Financial Investment, Samsung Venture Investment, Stonebridge Ventures, and Kolon Investment participated in this investment.
Apicel is a joint venture established in February last year by Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Abakta to study functional enhancement stem cells and to develop treatments based on them. Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s stem cell platform technology (DW-MSC) and Abakta’s Apimer technology are being combined to develop next-generation cell therapy products.
DW-MSC is a mesenchymal stem cell differentiated from pluripotent stem cells. It is a cell line developed to maintain stem cell strength for a longer time than mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adult tissues. Apimer is a platform technology that can replace antibodies by binding to antigens with high affinity based on small proteins derived from the human body.
Through this investment, Apicel plans to start preclinical trials of the treatment under development early. The new drug will be developed as the primary target for inflammation, autoimmune disease, and organ transplant rejection, and the indications will be expanded in the future.
Seung-ho Jeon, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Apicel, said, “This success in attracting investment is the result of our concept of fusion of innovative technologies of both companies.” I will try.”
President Alastair Smith Abakta said, “Apimer fusion cell therapy has a very high potential in the area of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.” A stronger therapeutic effect is expected.”
Reporter Minsoo Han [email protected]
Ⓒ Hankyung.com prohibits unauthorized reproduction and redistribution