"The goal is to develop a vaccine that can be easily used by people in third world countries and benefit them. Our vaccine candidate can be self-administered does not require refrigeration and  because it is sprayed into the nose."

These are the words of Kim Dong-ho, CEO of the NA Vaccine Institute (pictured), who met at the headquarters in Songpa, Seoul on the 1st. 

NA Vaccine Institute (NAVI) attracted a total of 7 billion won in funding last August, six months after its establishment in February of this year. It received 4 billion won in investment from venture capital, etc., and was selected as a frontier venture company by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation and received 3 billion won in support. 

Looking at the achievements that CEO Kim has shown so far, I agree. He received a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Texas, USA, and served as director of the RNAi (RNA Interference) Center at the Beckman Institute at City of Hope Hospital for four years. Cellunex, founded in the United States with RNAi technology, was sold to a Nasdaq-listed company in 2006, two years later. 

CEO Kim also exported RNAi technology to Alylam and Dicerna, which developed the world's first RNAi treatment, in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Genolution, founded in Korea and listed on KONEX in 2015, was sold last year. He demonstrated his abilities not only as a scientist but also as a businessman. 

◆"We will develop the world's first nasal inhalation vaccine"

NA Vaccine Institute is competitive in the development of vaccine adjuvants. Adjuvant is a substance that makes the vaccine more effective. A vaccine is a medicine that creates a response system within the body through an immune response by adding weakened disease-causing substances (antigens). There are preventive vaccines and therapeutic vaccines.

CEO Kim said, “Our adjuvant can improve the problems of existing vaccines. The reason vaccines are expensive is because it is difficult to create antigens that elicit an immune response and production facilities are expensive, but “We can create a vaccine within one month by attaching a known antigen to an adjuvant,” he said..

The explanation is that existing technology requires at least six months to create antigens and produce vaccines. He also added that the current laboratory can produce 200,000 doses (200,000 doses) per year. 

Additionally, existing vaccines require refrigeration. Because it is an injection, a syringe and medical staff are required. On the other hand, the vaccine from the NA Vaccine Institute can be stored at room temperature. Since it is sprayed into the nose like an asthma treatment, there is no need for a doctor or nurse. It can be used even in remote areas where there is no electricity..  

He said, "In the case of influenza in humans, we have experimental results showing that spraying it into the nose is more effective than injections. Since the immune cells in the nasal mucosa react and induce immunity in the body, nasal inhalation can also be effective." “He explained. If a nasal inhalable vaccine is developed, it will be the first in the world. 

Provided by NA Vaccine Institute 

NA Vaccine Institute plans to use its technology to develop immunity boosters, preventive vaccines, cancer vaccines, and animal vaccines. We are conducting preclinical trials for five types this year, and are targeting phase 1 clinical trials for at least three types next year. 

◆Expected to receive letter of intent for animal vaccine supply contract in France

NA Vaccine Institute's expected research and development results within the year are in the field of animal vaccines. CEO Kim said, “Regarding animal vaccines, we are waiting to receive a letter of intent (LOI) for a technology export and supply contract from Seppic of France,” and added, “Verification of the inhalable product has been completed.” We are expecting a supply contract worth at least 5 billion won per year.

Seppic is a global company with 70 years of history. It is well known as a supplier of cosmetic raw materials, and is expanding its business area to include pharmaceutical additives and adjuvants.

NA Vaccine Institute plans to spin off its animal vaccine business into a subsidiary. The animal vaccine subsidiary is also planning to establish a production plant capable of producing 10 million doses per year.

CEO Kim said, “We will create a flexible organizational system by spinning off businesses in each field, such as human preventive vaccines, anticancer immunotherapy, and chronic fatigue syndrome,” and added, “It is easy to export or sell technology, and it is a good structure for the parent company, NA Vaccine Institute, because it receives technology fees from its subsidiaries,” he said.

An initial public offering (IPO) is also being considered in 2021, when two or more candidate substances will be in phase 2 clinical trials.

Minsu Han, Hankyung.com reporter / hms@hankyung.com