GC Biopharma to develop mRNA flu vaccine with Canadian pharma

South Korea's GC Biopharma Corp. announced on Thursday that it will start developing a flu vaccine based on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

The drug maker said it has exercised an option contract with Acuitas Therapeutics, a Canadian pharma that specializes in lipid nano particle (LNP) delivery systems for mRNA-based drugs. 

Two companies signed an option agreement for development of LNP technology in April last year. GC Biopharma recently exercised an option of non-exclusive licensing agreement. 

LNP is a method of encapsulating and transporting mRNA molecules to the target cells in the body. "Acuitas’ LNP technology was also used in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine," a GC Biopharma source said. 

GC Biopharma aims to enter phase 1 clinical trials next year by leveraging its existing expertise in flu vaccines and Acuitas’ technology. It also decided to invest in pilot production facilities for mRNA vaccine at its current flu vaccine plant in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province.

"We will accelerate the development of innovative new drugs in the fields of vaccines and rare diseases through mRNA platform technology and secure next-generation growth engines," Eun-chul Huh, CEO of GC Biopharma said. 

Write to Jae-Young Han at jyhan@hankyung.com