Biotech Companies Focusing on CGTs
Cell-gene therapeutics (CGTs) are emerging in the biotech industry and an increasing number of companies are focusing on the market segment.
The Life Science Fund of Samsung recently decided to invest in Jaguar Gene Therapy. In the biotech fund, Samsung C&T, Samsung Biologics and Samsung Venture Investment Corp. (SVIC) have invested 99 billion won, 49.5 billion won and 1.5 billion won, respectively.
Established in October 2019, Jaguar Gene Therapy develops gene therapies against adeno-associated viruses. The current pipelines of the company include JAG101 for galactosemia, JAG201 for a specific genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder, and JAG301 for type 1 diabetes. Samsung is planning to cooperate as a strategic investor.
CHA Medical Group, in the meantime, is building Cell Gene Biobank as one of the world’s largest CGT contract development and manufacturing facilities. The group is investing 300 billion won in the project and the construction is scheduled to be completed in 2024. According to the group, the single facility will be capable of producing CGTs, mRNAs, viral vectors, pDNAs, and so on and CHA Biotech will do CGT contract development and manufacturing business using those products.
According to market research firms, the global CGT market reached US$5 billion last year and is expected to grow to US$32 billion in 2026. Under the circumstances, SK made itself the second-largest shareholder in CBM, a U.S. CGT CDMO, in January by investing US$350 million. Previously, SK acquired French CGT CDMO Yposkesi in March last year.
In November last year, CJ Group acquired 76 percent of Batavia Biosciences. The Dutch company was founded by those who developed and produced the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine and is capable of enhancing the efficiency of virus vaccine and vector manufacturing. The group is planning to enter the CGT contract development and manufacturing market via Batavia Biosciences and CJ Bioscience, which was acquired as a subsidiary in October last year.