[THE INVESTOR] Korean pharma firm
Green Cross Labcell has applied for international patent protection for its natural killer cells that treat cancer patients, the company said on July 8.
The Green Cross affiliate had extracted cord blood from healthy donors to generate natural killer cells, a type of white blood cells in the immune system that attacks infections and potentially cancer-causing cell.
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Institute of Cell Therapy at the Green Cross Labcell |
The cord blood-derived natural killer cells, when injected into a cancer-patient, will attack tumors, halt cancer cell growth and reduces the risk of recurrence, the c ompany said.
“Thanks to the international patent application, Green Cross Labcell’s cancer treatment has expanded the scope of practices abroad,” said Hwang Yu-kyeong, director of the Institute of Cell Therapy at the Green Cross Labcell. “We will accelerate our research to vitalize the cord blood industry and to commercialize natural killer cell-based treatment soon to alleviate the pain of cancer patients.”
By Ahn Sung-mi (
sahn@heraldcorp.com)
