SL BIGEN
Bio-genetic drugs targeting cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
KRW3.0b | Late VC | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
SL BIGEN is a South Korean biotechnology firm concentrating on the research and development of bio-genetic drugs and cell-based therapies. The company's name is an acronym for its mission: 'Saving Lives By Bio-Genetic ENgineering'. The firm operates in the life sciences and oncology sectors, developing treatments for intractable conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
The company's origins trace back to a venture that started at the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in 2006. It was formally established in 2016, following a name change from Biodion. A key figure in the company's journey is founder Sung Young-chul, who also founded the biotech company Genexine. A professor at POSTECH, Sung serves as the CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, leveraging his background in immunology and life sciences. In a significant milestone in July 2020, the company established the 'SL BIGEN Industry-University Cooperation Hall', a GMP production facility and research center, on the Yonsei University International Campus in Songdo.
SL BIGEN's core business involves developing two main therapeutic platforms. The first is an engineered mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) line designed to express therapeutic genes specific to certain diseases. The second is a multi-engineered natural killer (NK) cell line that expresses fourth-generation chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) to target and kill cancer cells. Its pipeline includes candidates like SL-K10, a CAR-NK gene therapy for ovarian cancer, and SL-BM03, which utilizes MSC technology to target lung cancer. The business model is centered on R&D, with the goal of advancing these therapies through clinical trials to provide new treatment options for patients. The company has secured venture capital backing and strategic investments from corporations like Yuhan Corporation to fund its pipeline development.
Keywords: cell therapy, gene therapy, biotechnology, oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, natural killer cells, mesenchymal stem cells, chimeric antigen receptor, biopharmaceuticals, drug development
