PanGen Biotech Wins Government Research Project for SFTS Therapeutic Antibody Development

[Shin-Min Joon, Edaily Reporter] PanGen Biotech a subsidiary of Huons Group, has secured a research contract for an SFTS therapeutic antibody project from the Korea National Institute of Health, strengthening its capabilities in developing treatments for tick-borne infectious diseases.

PanGen Biotech CI. (Image=PanGen Biotech)

The company disclosed on June 22 that it had secured the research service contract for the development of an SFTS therapeutic antibody.

The contract is valued at KRW 2.75 billion, representing 20.46% of PanGen Biotech’s total revenue in 2025. The contract period runs from the signing date through December 31, 2028.

Under the project, PanGen Biotech will conduct a three-year study titled “Advancement and Evaluation of a Non-Clinical Sample Production System for an SFTS Therapeutic Antibody” on behalf of the Korea National Institute of Health. The company plans to leverage its proprietary biopharmaceutical development technologies and manufacturing capabilities to carry out the research.

SFTS is a tick-borne infectious disease classified as a Class 3 notifiable infectious disease in Korea, with a reported fatality rate of approximately 18%. To date, no specific treatment or vaccine has been commercialized, and patient care is largely limited to symptomatic treatment. Although certain antiviral agents have been used, their therapeutic efficacy remains limited, highlighting the urgent need for an effective treatment option.

Neutralizing antibody therapeutics work by binding to viral surface proteins, blocking viral entry into cells and facilitating viral elimination through the body’s immune response. PanGen Biotech’s SFTS therapeutic antibody candidate has demonstrated a very high survival rate in animal studies, even in subjects infected with a lethal dose of the virus.

“Once commercialized, the SFTS therapeutic antibody currently under development is expected not only to help alleviate symptoms and support patient recovery, but also to contribute to reducing mortality and preventing secondary infections,” said Yoon Jae-seung, CEO of PanGen Biotech. “Through continued research and development, we will strive to create new growth drivers in addition to our existing biosimilar and CDMO businesses.”

신민준 (adonis@edaily.co.kr)