Eyegene said on Tuesday that it signed an agreement to develop a Japanese encephalitis virus gene-recombinant vaccine with financial support from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).

The research and development cost is estimated to be 200 million won ($150,000), and the state agency will provide 150 million won, it said

This is not the first time that KHIDI has selected EyeGene to develop a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. The company conducted the immune-enhanced pentameric gene-recombinant Japanese encephalitis vaccine development study with the Catholic University of Korea from October 2020 to March 2022.

"Through this project, we will derive candidate substances for the gene-recombinant Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine, including the immune enhancer system, produce non-clinical prototypes, and evaluate the non-GLP non-clinical toxicity and effectiveness,” a company official said.

The official added that the company would conduct follow-up studies to establish mass-production processes, good manufacturing practice (GMP) production, and good laboratory practice (GLP) non-clinical tests."

The vaccine immune enhancer system developed by this study is a technology applicable to various vaccines. According to the company, it can be further developed in combination with various vaccine antigens using recombinant protein antigens.

EyeGene said the company has also been conducting a study on the efficacy and effectiveness of its shingles vaccine, EG-HZ, with the government’s support of 100 million won since July.

"Recently, vaccinations for shingles prevention are recommended both at home and abroad, and the need for homegrown vaccines to replace imported treatments is increasing,” the company official said. “We plan to strengthen competitiveness in this field by performing additional efficacy, safety, and stability assessment of our shingles vaccine."

EyeGene is pushing to license its shingles vaccine (EG-HZ) with foreign vaccine companies.