GC Pharma, a South Korean biopharmaceutical company formerly known as Green Cross, on Monday announced the establishment of a new vaccine development unit, Curevo Inc., in the US.

The new Seattle-based company will support GC Pharma’s next-generation vaccine development activities and the launch of a premium vaccine for shingles, according to the Korean drugmaker.

For this task, Curevo has formed partnerships with global health organizations including the US-based Infectious Disease Research Institute and the Mogam Institute for Biomedical Research in Korea.


The three bodies will work together to initiate US-based clinical trials for CRV-101, a shingles vaccine developed jointly by GC Pharma and the MIBR, before the year’s end. Corey Casper, chief medical officer at IDRI, will be leading the shingles vaccine project.

It is the first time for GC Pharma to embark on the development of a premium vaccine, as its product portfolio had long been limited to essential vaccines that protect against common diseases such as influenza and chickenpox.

“Establishing Curevo signals a crucial step forward in GC Pharma’s long-standing dedication to prevent potentially serious diseases,” said Huh Eun-chul, president of GC Pharma. “This exciting collaboration will increase the possibilities for immune-compromised populations to have better options.”

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)