바이오스펙테이터 Kim Sungmin 기자
“In the global market, especially in the peptide field, Caregen definitely has a competitive edge. There was a time when peptide grabbed people’s attentions, but soon antibody bio-medicine took away the entire spotlight. Naturally, interests towards the peptide research faded away. However, we saw its potentials and we have been concentrating our research in this specific field. As a result, we acquired skills that could compensate previous drawbacks of the peptide.”
According to president of Caregen, Yong Ji Chung, the company has set a new paradigm in protein drugs with this new technology called ‘bio-mimetic peptide’. President Chung has been researching on peptide for 15 years. He introduced his company’s highest level of technology with such a pride in front of the Biospectator.
Peptide is a basic unit of protein, consisting of two or more amino acids. It is also a biologically active compound. So far, peptide did not receive much attention because it rapidly decomposes even before it can function in an organism. However, as signaling and synthetic techniques developed, peptide is starting to gain more attention in the market.
Caregen started its research on the peptide for the purpose of mimicking the functions of bio-proteins. For 10 years, Caregen actively invested its resources in finding potential candidates for bio-mimetic peptides. From 5 candidates in 2003, Caregen has now secured up to 407 synthetic peptide candidates. Throughout the research process, Caregen developed a unique self-transmission technology, which is necessary in making into manufacture products. Focusing on the broken cell signaling process, Caregen developed cosmetic products with various peptide contents as an effective aid for aging skin and hair loss. Especially after the 'peptide filler' is released in 2012, Caregen achieved average of 86% annual growth and successfully positioned itself in the global market.
However, it is insufficient to determine the company’s potential only with the cosmetic business. Recently, Caregen is concentrating on a medical business, selling “Outstanding Peptide” as its major products. Caregen has already released a whole new type of arthritis treatment, which applied basic mechanisms of bio-mimetic peptides. Gaining momentum from this small success, Caregen is accelerating towards the construction of new pipelines for the other diseases.... <계속>