[BIO USA 2024] Curocell considers setting up overseas offshoots

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- By Kim Chan-hyuk/Korea Biomedical Review correspondent -- The BIO International Convention (BIO USA) is the world's largest bio conference, bringing together bio companies, investors, and researchers worldwide to discuss innovative technologies and partnerships. This year's event was held in San Diego from last Monday to Thursday, local time.

Many Korean biotech companies advertised their participation in the event with booths, but some quietly established solid partnerships through one-on-one meetings. One of the latter groups was Curocell, which is at the forefront of developing CAR-T therapies.

Korea Biomedical Review met with Curocell CEO Kim Gun-soo and asked him about the company's plans to enter overseas markets and the timeline for applying for the license of its homegrown CAR-T drug CRC01 (anbalcabtagene autolucel or Anbal-cel in general name). In the interview, CEO Kim discussed Curocell's goals, business strategy, and the need to expand the domestic CAR-T therapeutic market.

Asked about the purpose of attending the event, Kim said, “We wanted to build global partnerships through this event.” On why Curocell did not set up a separate promotional booth, he emphasized the need for actual meetings, saying, “For CAR-T therapies, it is more important to have scheduled meetings with specialized companies than the number of meetings.”

“We are looking for partners with the experience and capabilities to quickly commercialize CAR-T therapies locally, especially in key markets, including the U.S.,” he added.

CEO Kim also revealed that Curocell is considering establishing a local subsidiary to expand into overseas markets. "Beyond simple partnerships, we also consider plans to directly enter the market by establishing local subsidiaries. This will allow us to implement our localized strategy more effectively."

He then discussed the impact of international politics on the bio-industry, such as the recent conflict between the U.S. and China.

"There are concerns that working with Chinese partners may negatively affect our business in the U.S. due to the Sino-American conflict. Therefore, we need to carefully select the right partner to succeed in the US market," Kim said.

Curocell plans to apply for marketing authorization for Anbal-cel, a CD19-targeting CAR-T therapy candidate, to the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in September. “We are planning to apply for a new drug license for Anbal-cel in September this year, and we expect to obtain approval next year,” he said.

Kim pointed out that the market for CAR-T therapies has not yet expanded much in Korea, adding that Anbal-cel is favorably positioned to expand the market for CAR-T therapies by conducting clinical trials nationwide.

"Unlike Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), Anbal-cel's clinical trials were conducted nationwide in both Seoul and Busan and Jeolla provinces. This puts us in a favorable position to expand the base of CAR-T therapies,” CEO Kim said.

"We will continue to work to make CAR-T therapies more accessible to Korean patients. Following the approval of Anbal-cel, we are preparing to make this therapy available in as many medical centers as possible," he said.

“We aim to build on our successful development in Korea and establish ourselves as a recognized player in the global market for immune cell therapy CAR-T therapies,” Kim said, explaining the company's vision.