As number of positive cases and deaths of COVID-19 pandemic is increasing at present, paralyzing global medical systems, where many countries have been seriously affected, AnTaimmu BioMed Co., Ltd., a company at the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, Taiwan, has endeavored to develop rapid screening reagents and therapeutic drugs to counter against the COVID-19 via its core technology in screening highly specific monoclonal antibodies.
AnTaimmu BioMed is a new drug development company that develops novel antibody drugs and protein drugs for clinical treatment, which was established in 2017 and was approved to enter the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park in November 2018. The company has discovered dozens of candidate antibodies and is committed to development of a new generation of immunotherapy biopharmaceuticals, featuring with highly specific targeted therapeutic effects on cancer cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors, which can significantly improve the effect of body's immune system against cancer cells. For global COVID-19 pandemic, the company also develops specific antibodies for N protein and S protein in time by designing and constructing a highly complex and efficient human antibody library, which is used as a rapid screening test reagent for viral antigens and an application for the development of antibody drugs for treatment.
AnTaimmu BioMed expects to provide the antigen rapid screening reagents to regions and countries in need as soon as possible. On March 19 this year, the company formed a COVID-19 rapid screening reagent alliance with EirGenix, Inc. and Panion & BF Biotech Inc. Under the cooperative link, the specific antibody of SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen developed by AnTaimmu BioMed fills the antibody demands for early screening reagent kits of Panion & BF Biotech Inc., which then delivers the DNA sequence of the individual antibody to EirGenix, Inc. for mass production with GMP plant of EirGenix. With the wonderful labor division of these three companies, the Vstrip® COVID-19 fast screening reagent outcome was completed in just one month, and a manufacturing license was applied to the Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan on April 22, and it is estimated to pass verification in May.
Taiwan outshines other countries in countering against and controlling outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic via collaboration between the government and civilians. Patients confirmed positive of COVID-19 in Taiwan have been cared with excellent medical resources. Academic research institutes also actively work on research and development of necessary solutions. Eager dedication and commitment of AnTaimmu BioMed in early deployment to fight against COVID-19 are very inspiring and encouraging for people not just in Taiwan but also global communities.
Media Contact
Chiung-Mei Ou,
Investment Division, Hsinchu Science Park Bureau ,MOST
Tel：(03)577-3311ext.2216
E-mail：mayou@sipa.gov.tw
