GC Cell and Lukas Form Strategic Partnership for Innovative Cell Therapy Expansion

YONGIN, South Korea, July 21, 2024 — GC Cell Corporation, a trailblazer in cell and gene therapy and a subsidiary of the prominent Korean-listed Green Cross Corporation, has entered into an international strategic cooperation agreement with Lukas Biomedical Co., Ltd., a reputable entity listed on TWSE.

This partnership aims to enhance the reach of autologous T cell therapy and expand the patient access market by leveraging each company’s strengths in innovative cell treatment. The collaboration will involve sharing cutting-edge research, clinical trial data, and regulatory knowledge across multiple countries. This strategic alliance seeks to accelerate drug development, establish a platform for precision medicine, and bring the benefits of innovative cell therapies to a broader patient demographic.

GC Cell has a notable history of success with its Immuncell-LC autologous T cell therapy, which received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in 2007 after successful Phase IV trials. With over 10,000 treatment cases, GC Cell has established a strong clinical and commercial presence in Korea. Lukas's LuLym-T memory T cell cultivation technology, originating from the Japanese National Cancer Center, has been brought to Taiwan for market expansion and further enhancement based on a licensing agreement and technology transfer from GC LTEC.

Taiwan's government has shown significant dedication to advancing regenerative medicine through the enactment of the Regenerative Medicine Act on June 4. Lukas's LuLym-T cell therapy technology aligns closely with these new regulations, positioning Lukas to secure a five-year conditional approval. This will solidify Lukas as a key player in Taiwan's cell therapy sector, focusing on both domestic growth and global market expansion.

Currently, Lukas has agreements with 13 medical institutions, including National Taiwan University Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Taipei Veterans General Hospital, to conduct Phase II clinical trials. These trials aim to prevent liver cancer recurrence and explore combined immunotherapy with chemotherapy/radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Dr. Eric Tang, Chairman of Lukas, emphasized the collaborative efforts through a Joint Committee (JC) to exchange expertise and experience in memory T cell technology research for various cancers. This partnership involves sharing clinical and commercial knowledge, exploring cross-licensing opportunities, and conducting joint clinical trials in each other's regions. Additionally, they aim to jointly explore new international markets and investments.

James Park, CEO of GC Cell, remarked that this partnership is a crucial milestone for advancing innovative cell therapies in Korea and Taiwan. It also aims to establish a global network and ecosystem for Cell and Gene Therapy. He emphasized the commitment to accelerating the global expansion of Immuncell-LC through continuous exchange of clinical research data and a strong, long-term partnership.

Dr. Tang highlighted the potential of their LuLym-T cell technology in advanced-stage cancer patients with various solid tumors, thanks to the Taiwanese government's supportive regulations. He expressed hopes of helping more cancer patients globally by sharing their clinical experience and successful treatment paradigms.

This strategic cooperation marks a significant step toward a shared vision of enhancing patient outcomes through innovative cell therapies and precision medicine.

Immuncell-LC, a commercially available treatment for early-stage HCC, is composed of autologous, cultured blood-derived T lymphocytes. It has shown significant efficacy in a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial, reducing recurrence risk by 37% and mortality rate by 79% compared to the control group. Administered to over 10,000 patients in South Korea, it has maintained a record of no serious adverse events.

GC Cell focuses on providing comprehensive bio healthcare solutions, including R&D, production, commercialization, and distribution. Lukas Biomedical aims to advance its LuLym-T cell therapy through clinical trials and technological enhancements, targeting both domestic and international markets. With a steady cash flow from its e-commerce and hospital management platform, Lukas is well-positioned to expand and generate value for shareholders and employees.