Green Cross Co., Ltd.

YONGIN, South Korea, July 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Cell Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "GC Cell"; 144510:KOSDAQ) and Lukas Biomedical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Lukas," TWSE 6814) has formally signed an international strategic cooperation agreement. GC Cell is a fully integrated pioneer in cell and gene therapy and a subsidiary of the renowned Korean-listed pharmaceutical group Green Cross Corporation, which has a market value of approximately 1.3 trillion Korean won (around 1 billion US dollars). Continue Reading This collaboration aims to increase awareness of autologous T cell therapy as well as to expand the patient access market through leveraging each other's strengths in innovative cell treatment areas. By sharing cutting-edge research projects, clinical trial data, regulatory knowledge across multiple countries, and exploring clinical research, market development, and various activities for cancers and other challenging diseases, both parties strive to accelerate drug development and establish a platform for precision medicine solutions. This partnership seeks to bring the benefits of innovative cell therapy to a wider range of patients. Having successfully completed clinical trials in Japan and Korea, GC Cell's Immuncell-LC autologous T cell therapy obtained approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in 2007 following favorable Phase IV trials. With a track record of over 10,000 treatment cases, GC Cell has been obtaining successful clinical and commercial records in Korea. Lukas's LuLym-T memory T cell cultivation technology originated from Japanese National Cancer Center and GC LTEC, formerly Lymphotec, a subsidiary of Green Cross Group. Based on the licensing agreement with originator of the technology and the tech transfer from the company, Lukas has brought this technology to Taiwan for market expansion and further enhancement. Taiwan's government has demonstrated significant commitment to the advancement of the regenerative medicine sector. Following the implementation of the Special Regulations on Regenerative Medicine, the Regenerative Medicine Act was enacted on June 4 this year. Lukas's LuLym-T cell therapy technology, supported by international clinical trials and evidence-based data generated by GC Cell, aligns closely with Taiwan governmental policies and regulations. It appears poised to secure a five-year conditional approval under the new regulations, thus establishing Lukas as a prominent player in Taiwan's cell therapy landscape, with a focus on domestic growth and global market expansion. Presently, Lukas has entered agreements with 13 medical institutions, including National Taiwan University Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Taipei Veterans General Hospital, to conduct Phase II clinical trials focused on preventing liver cancer recurrence and exploring combined immunotherapy with chemotherapy/radiotherapy for head and neck cancer at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Lukas' Chairman, Dr. Eric Tang, highlighted that GC Cell and Lukas will collaborate through a Joint Committee (JC) to exchange expertise and experience in researching memory T cell technology for various cancers in their respective countries. This collaboration involves sharing clinical and commercial knowledge, insights, and strategies, as well as exploring opportunities for cross-licensing and conducting joint clinical trials (IITs and SITs) in each other's regions. Moreover, they aim to discuss the opportunities to jointly explore new international markets, joint investment and beyond. James Park, CEO of GC Cell, stated, "This strategic cooperation agreement represents a pivotal milestone in accelerating the advancement of innovative cell therapies in Korea and Taiwan and also in establishing global network and ecosystem of Cell and Gene Therapy. Looking ahead, we are committed to accelerating the global expansion of Immuncell-LC through the continuous exchange of clinical research data and the establishment of a strong, long-term partnership between our two companies." Dr. Eric Tang, Chairman of Lukas stated that: "In addition to our clinical trial for preventing liver cancer recurrence, the Taiwanese government's implementation of the Special Regulations on Regenerative Medicine has allowed us to apply our LuLym-T cell technology on advanced stage cancer patients with various types of solid tumors. We have accumulated vast clinical experience in concomitant use of LuLym-T cell together with conventional treatment, such as: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and checkpoint inhibitors. We are able to achieve significant prognostic improvements using a multi-modality treatment paradigm for advanced stage cancers and we hope we will be able to help more cancer patients in need by sharing our experience with other countries". This strategic cooperation represents a significant step toward a shared vision of improving patient outcomes through innovative cell therapies and precision medicine. About Immuncell-LC Immuncell-LC is the only commercially available treatment option of early-stage HCC. It is primarily composed of autologous, cultured blood-derived T lymphocytes with proven efficacy through a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial which reduced the risk of recurrence by 37% and decreased the mortality rate by 79% compared to the control group. To date, Immuncell-LC has been administered to over 10,000 patients in South Korea without serious adverse events.  About GC Cell   With a core focus on cell therapy, GC Cell offers complete bio healthcare solutions from diagnosis to treatment, and the brand's comprehensive value chain spans R&D, production, commercialization, and distribution. More info: About Lukas Biomedical Lukas is dedicated to advancing its LuLym-T cell therapy R&D and clinical advancements, enhancing clinical trials and technologies, and expanding into foreign markets. Lukas has already attracted interest in Southeast Asia and is in talks and finalizing cooperation agreements with medical teams in the region. With a steady cash flow from its e-commerce business and hospital management platform, Lukas is well-positioned to expand its "LuLym-T" cell therapy business and, generating optimum value for shareholders and employees. SOURCE GC Cell

FDA's Fast Track designation speeds up the development of new biologic drugs for rare diseases YONGIN, South Korea, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280. KS) and Novel Pharma have announced that the U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track Designation for their jointly developed MPSIIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome Type A) treatment, GC1130A. This designation follows the FDA's clearance of the investigational new drug (IND) application for GC1130A last month. With Fast Track Designation, the development process for GC1130A is set to be expedited. About Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A Sanfilippo syndrome Type A is a rare genetic disorder that causes central nervous system damage through the accumulation of heparan sulfate, leading to progressive neurological decline. Without treatment, patients face life-threatening complications by the age of 15. GC1130A represents a potential breakthrough as the first and only treatment option specifically targeting MPSIIIA. GC1130A GC1130A is a biological drug that is being developed using high-concentration protein formulation technology, designed for administration to the central nervous system. It is delivered directly into the brain's ventricles through intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, a method first applied globally by GC Biopharma's Hunter syndrome treatment, 'Hunterase', which has received market approval in Japan. The potential of GC1130A to meet the unmet medical needs of Sanfilippo syndrome has been recognized by major drug regulatory agencies; in 2023, the FDA granted GC1130A Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) and Orphan Drug Disease (ODD), and earlier this year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also granted GC1130A ODD status. Currently, GC Biopharma and Novel Pharma are preparing to initiate a multinational first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of GC1130A in Korea, the US, and Japan. FDA's Fast Track Program U.S. FDA's Fast Track program is designed to expedite the development and review of drugs intended to treat serious or unmet medical needs. Fast Track designation provides extensive support, including frequent meetings with the FDA throughout the drug development, clinical, and approval stages. GC Biopharma and Novel Pharma stated, "We are pleased with the FDA's decision to grant Fast Track designation for GC1130A, especially given the lack of approved treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome." The company added, "This designation will enable us to accelerate the development of this new drug, bringing hope to patients and families affected by Sanfilippo syndrome." [Attachment] GC Biopharma's Lysosomal Storage Disease research and development status About GC Biopharma GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers lifesaving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century About Novel Pharma Inc. Novel Pharma is an emerging biotechnology company that focuses on developing first-in-class treatments for rare pediatric diseases (MPS/LSD) utilizing ICV (intracerebral ventricular) administration. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, it is currently engaged in the development of (i) MPSIIIA, (ii) GM1, (iii) MPSIVB and (iv) Krabbe disease. This press release may contain biopharmaceuticals in forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. GC Corp. Contacts (Media) Sohee Kim [email protected] Yelin Jun [email protected] Rachel Kim [email protected] SOURCE GC Biopharma

YONGIN, South Korea, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280. KS) and Novel Pharma have announced that the U.S. FDA has cleared the investigational new drug (IND) application for their jointly developed MPSIIIA (Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A) treatment, GC1130A. With this FDA clearance, the development of GC1130A is set to accelerate, with multinational clinical trials expected to commence this year. Clinical trial sites have been established in the United States, South Korea, and Japan, focusing on demonstrating the drug's safety and tolerability. GC Biopharma and Novel Pharma have been co-developing this intracerebroventricular enzyme replacement therapy (ICVa ERT) for treatment for MPSIIIA patients who lack Heparan N Sulfatase. GC1130A has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from both FDA and EMA based on the robust safety and efficacy profile observed during preclinical studies. It also received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) from the FDA. Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A is a genetic disorder that causes central nervous system damage through the accumulation of heparan sulfate, leading to progressive neurological decline. Without treatment, patients often face life-threatening complications by the age of 15. GC1130A represents a potential breakthrough as the first and only treatment option specifically targeting MPSIIIA. GC Biopharma's representative further emphasized, "The IND clearance for GC1130A marks a significant milestone in our mission to bring hope to patients and families affected by Sanfilippo Syndrome. We are committed to advancing to phase 1 clinical trials and are dedicated to the development of new therapies, that address unmet medical needs. About GC Biopharma Corp. GC Biopharma Corp. (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma Corp. is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century. About Novel Pharma Inc. Novel Pharma is an emerging biotechnology company that focuses on developing first-in-class treatments for rare pediatric diseases (MPS/LSD) utilizing ICV (intracerebral ventricular) administration. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, it is currently engaged in the development of (i) MPSIIIA, (ii) GM1, (iii) MPSIVB and (iv) Krabbe disease. This press release may contain biopharmaceuticals in forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. GC Biopharma Corp. Contacts (Media) Sohee Kim [email protected] Yelin Jun [email protected] Rachel Kim [email protected] SOURCE GC Biopharma