Research Team of College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering Led by Prof. Suk-Chan Lee, Developed a Treatment Substance that Cures Both COVID-19 and Influenza

- Joint research team of SKKU, Hallym University, and Novelgen, released a treatment to kill various viruses

[Image 1] Professor Suk-Chan Lee, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering

The research team consisted of Prof. Suk-Chan Lee of College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Prof. Won-Keun Kim of Hallym University, and Novelgen released an innovative virus treatment substance 3D8scFv, which can cure both COVID-19 and Influenza.

The 3D8scFv was first discovered by the research team led by Prof. Suk-Chan Lee of SKKU and Prof. Myung-Hee Kwan of Ajou University in the course of research to counter the plant virus, and was developed in the process of continuing the research by expanding its scope to industrial animal viruses and human infection viruses in collaboration with Novelgen.

They showed extensive treatment and prevention for the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and two types of coronavirus (hCoV-OC43, PEDV). The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) inhibited the replication of virus genes at 10µM by more than 90%, and also reduced virus production by more than 10 times. In addition, the hCoV-OC43 and PEDV also showed extensive therapeutic effects in the treatment of 3D8 scFv, as in SARS-CoV-2. The results of the study were published on the journal, BioArchive (Biorxiv.org).

Moreover, the research confirmed that 3D8 scFv has a preventive and therapeutic effect on the Tamiflu-resistant Influenza A virus, including two types of influenza A using cellular and mouse models. The results of the study will soon be published in international journal.

Prof. Suk-Chan Lee said “The newly developed mini-antibodies are characterized by good penetration into epithelial cells in the intestines and lungs, so they can be developed as medicines with various administration channels.”

Taehyun Kim, CEO of Novelgen, said “3D8 scFv will be a game changer that can quickly respond to the emergence of new viruses, mutated viruses, and drug-resistance viruses.” Novelgen is in the process of developing and building systems for mass production of antibodies needed for preclinical and clinical tests of COVID-19 and influenza virus treatments, and aims to conduct preclinical tests within the year.