The surge is believed to reflect growing expectations for technology transfer and commercialization as clinical trials are set to gain momentum this year. These include a Phase 2/3 trial in Vietnam for a dengue fever treatment and a U.S. Phase 2 basket trial targeting multiple respiratory viral diseases, including influenza.
CGMedTech saw its share price rise on expectations that its roadmap centered on fostering dental implants as a next generation cash cow through contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) is moving into full-scale implementation.
Meanwhile Enzychem Lifesciences gained on positive investor sentiment driven by anticipated growth from its new business initiatives.
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Hyundai Bioscience to Launch Phase 2/3 Dengue Trial in Vietnam Next Month
Hyundai Bioscience’s shares surged to the daily upper limit on the 23rd, driven by expectations surrounding the launch of clinical trials for its dengue fever and respiratory virus treatments.
According to KG Zeroin’s MP DOCTOR (formerly MarketPoint) Hyundai Bioscience closed at 17,770 won, up 29.99% from the previous trading day. The sharp rise was attributed to the imminent initiation of clinical trials for its dengue and respiratory antiviral therapies.
The company plans to begin a Phase 2/3 clinical trial in Vietnam next month for its self-developed next-generation broad spectrum antiviral, Xafty (CP-COV03) as a treatment for dengue fever. Previously Hyundai Bioscience received approval from Vietnam’s Ministry of Health to conduct a Phase 2/3 trial for the treatment of dengue and related diseases.
The clinical trial will be conducted in two parts. Part 1 will assess the safety and efficacy of Xafty in patients with dengue fever. Part 2 will expand indications to related flaviviruses, including Zika and influenza.
A company official explained that Xafty targets a common viral mechanism regardless of mutations or serotypes utilizing the company’s proprietary drug delivery system (DDS). The official added that the company plans to apply for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from Vietnamese authorities as soon as efficacy is confirmed in Part 1 of the trial.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and local media reports, confirmed dengue cases increased sharply last year compared to the previous year. In Tay Ninh Province alone cumulative cases exceeded 11,600 representing a 4.8fold increase year on year. Epidemiologists estimate that one in 20 dengue patients progresses to severe disease with children facing a fivefold higher risk than adults.
A key concern is that, despite the growing number of severe cases with high fatality rates there is currently no direct antiviral treatment for dengue available worldwide. At present supportive care such as fluid therapy and antipyretics remains the only treatment option.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and infectious disease surveillance reports show that dengue has spread at record levels globally in recent years. In 2024, the disease recorded its highest incidence ever, with approximately 15 million cases and more than 9,500 reported deaths.
A Hyundai Bioscience official stated that the development of a dengue treatment could mark a turning point in addressing the broader family of flaviviruses, adding that the company aims to present a leading solution to global infectious disease challenges.
Separately, Hyundai Bioscience plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Phase 2 basket trial targeting multiple respiratory viral diseases, including influenza.
The trial will be led by Dr. David Smith a professor at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) who previously served as international protocol chair for the U.S. government led COVID-19 ACTIV-2 trial overseeing therapeutic selection and overall trial operations.
The company noted that it has been in strategic discussions with U.S. healthcare experts while preparing for the Phase 2 trial. With Dr. Smith appointed as principal investigator and a contract signed with a U.S.-based contract research organization (CRO) Hyundai Bioscience said it will proceed with FDA clinical procedures without delay.
On expectations that Hyundai Bioscience’s key drug candidates are entering full scale clinical development shares of its affiliate Hyundai ADM also soared. Hyundai ADM closed at 12,060 won on the day up 29.96% from the previous session.
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CG MedTech Launches Three Stage Roadmap for Brand, Reference and CDMO Growth
CG MedTech’s shares closed at 2,930 won on the day, up 27.11% from the previous session. The surge is attributed to the company’s decision to fully implement a three stage roadmap focused on brand building, clinical reference (reputation), and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) to foster dental implants as its next-generation cash cow.
According to a paid article titled “Dreaming of Becoming the TSMC of Implants”… CG MedTech Proves Its Brand and Accelerates with CDMO, published by Pharm Edaily a premium pharmaceutical and biotech content service by Edaily that was partially released for free that day, CG MedTech is expected to secure an annual production capacity of 600,000 dental implants at its new Uijeongbu plant this month.
With the introduction of automated facilities, production capacity could expand to as many as 800,000 units. The company expects this scale to provide more than double the cost competitiveness compared to U.S. based CDMO firms.
Originally growing on the back of orthopedic medical devices, CG MedTech expanded into the dental implant sector through the acquisitions of GDS, All Abutment, and Dental Ocean. A key milestone in this strategy is the launch of its dental implant brand “Urudent” scheduled for the first quarter of this year. Urudent leverages the intellectual property (IP) of Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s flagship brand “Ursa.”
CG MedTech plans to build clinical usage references and quality credibility through its proprietary brand before absorbing outsourcing demand from global implant companies. In parallel the company is advancing a digital dentistry strategy.
By integrating intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM systems and customized abutment production into a digital manufacturing solution CG MedTech aims to position itself not merely as a product supplier but as a comprehensive package partner.
The company’s sales and operating profit for last year are estimated at 46.2 billion won and 3.9 billion won respectively.
A company official stated that CG MedTech is pursuing partnerships with global implant companies through its U.S. subsidiary, adding that its prior experience supplying OEM products to global firms will help accelerate its transition to a CDMO focused business model.
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Expectations Grow for Enzychem Lifesciences’ Anti Aging Drug Development and New Business Expansion
Enzychem Lifesciences’ shares jumped 20.49% to close at 1,370 won, extending gains for a second consecutive session following an advance on the 20th. The surge appears to reflect investor optimism over the company’s new growth drivers including its anti-aging drug development program.
Since 2024, the company has formed a dedicated team for AI-based drug discovery and has been developing anti aging therapeutics designed to effectively eliminate senescent cells.
Enzychem Lifesciences has already secured multiple active compounds and is in the process of deriving lead candidates. It plans to complete lead optimization within the year secure intellectual property (IP) rights and pursue technology transfer deals.
The company is also advancing the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and antibody degrader conjugates (DACs). As part of this strategy, Enzychem Lifesciences completed an equity investment in TargetLink Therapeutics in 2024 and became its largest shareholder.
TargetLink Therapeutics has secured novel target antibodies considered critical to ADC development and is currently validating their efficacy. The company also holds PROTAC based payload manufacturing technology enabling the development of DAC therapeutics.
In particular recent attention surrounding Kwangdong Pharmaceutical’s presbyopia treatment and Orum Therapeutics’ DAC pipeline has led to speculation that the value of Enzychem Lifesciences’ own therapeutic platforms may also be due for reassessment.
An official from Enzychem Lifesciences stated “We will move beyond our previous focus on the radiation syndrome treatment EC-18 and diversify our pipeline strategy. Through this, we aim to demonstrate our R&D and commercialization capabilities and enhance corporate value.”
