GC Cell said that it has signed a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) agreement with Cellab Med to produce the latter's investigational drug for a solid cancer chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T treatment.

GC Cell noted that this is the first development and manufacturing contract for an investigational drug for CAR-T treatment targeting solid cancer in Korea.

Under the accord, GC Cell will produce and test the quality of Cellab Med's CAR-T treatment, YYB-103, planned for use in phase 1 clinical trials.

According to GC Cell, to set manufacturing process and quality control standards, CAR-T treatment requires advanced technologies, such as cell therapy production technology and a process for genetic manipulation.

"GC Cell is a company that possesses advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing and consignment development and production experience. Therefore, we consider GC Cell the best partner for the production of YYB-103," said Lee Yong-seok, head of Cellab Med’s production manager. "Through this contract, we expect the rapid progress and phase 1 clinical trial results."

Park Jong-won, Lee’s counterpart at GC Cell, also said, "This contract is meaningful as it was the first clinical trial medication for a CAR-T treatment targeting solid cancer."

The company plans to occupy a unique position as a leading company in the cell and gene therapy contract development and production industry, which is in its infancy, Park added.

GC Cell has a good track record accumulated from 2007 to the present in cell and gene therapy, a company official said. In addition to Celllab Med, the company also signed CDMO agreements with various companies.