CHA Biotech

CHA Biotech operates as a key entity within the CHA Medical & Bio Group, focusing on the development of cell and gene therapies for intractable diseases, cancer, and age-related conditions. Founded in 2000 and publicly listed on the KOSDAQ in 2005, the company leverages an integrated "Industry-Academia-Research-Hospital" ecosystem, collaborating with CHA University and CHA Hospitals to advance innovations from basic research to commercialization. The company's founder, Dr. Kwang Yul Cha, is a physician-scientist recognized for his pioneering work in reproductive medicine and stem cell research, including the world's first in-vitro maturation of immature oocytes and the establishment of cloned stem cell lines from adult somatic cells. His background in treating infertility laid the groundwork for the group's expansion into broader biotechnology and regenerative medicine.

The company's business model is multifaceted, generating revenue through several divisions to fund its core research and development. A significant portion of its income derives from a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) business, which provides full-scale GMP production and testing for advanced biopharmaceuticals, including viral vectors and cell therapies, with facilities in the U.S., Japan, and Korea. Through its U.S. subsidiary, Matica Biotechnology, CHA Biotech serves the cell and gene therapy market. Additional revenue streams include cord blood banking, bio-insurance services for storing immune and stem cells, genomic analysis, and comprehensive anti-aging wellness programs through its Chaum life centers. The company also has a global healthcare presence, operating nearly 90 hospitals and specialized clinics across seven countries, including the U.S., Australia, and Singapore. This network not only generates revenue but also provides a platform for clinical trials and the application of its technologies. For the fiscal year 2023, CHA Biotech reported consolidated revenues of 954 billion won.

CHA Biotech's R&D is centered on its extensive cell library and a portfolio of 88 registered patents in cell technology. Its therapeutic pipeline includes treatments developed from pluripotent stem cells, adult stem cells, and immune cells. Key candidates include CBT101, a solid tumor immunocell therapy using natural killer (NK) cells, and CordSTEM-DD, an umbilical cord-derived stem cell therapy for degenerative disc disease. The company develops therapies for conditions such as Stargardt's disease, Parkinson's disease, and acute stroke. CHA Biotech also engages in technology transfers, such as licensing its retinal pigment epithelial cell technology to a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma for $32 million. To support its R&D and commercial production, the company is constructing the Cell Gene Biobank (CGB) in Pangyo, Korea, which is slated to be one of the largest cell and gene therapy production facilities in the country upon its completion in 2025.

Keywords: cell therapy, gene therapy, CDMO, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, NK cell therapy, biopharmaceutical, cord blood banking, CHA Medical Group, Kwang Yul Cha, contract development and manufacturing, Matica Biotechnology, immunotherapy, clinical trials, genomics, anti-aging, intractable diseases, global healthcare network, cell and gene therapy production, biomanufacturing