[Edaily Reporter Kim Seung-kwon ] “Extraction at high temperatures inevitably causes DNA damage. We have dramatically improved safety by maintaining a consistent molecular weight—like a fingerprint—through low-temperature extraction and our proprietary physical processing method.”

Kim Deok-kyu, CEO of GeronCellVain and a former family medicine specialist with over 10 years of clinical experience, spoke with great confidence. Focusing on the fundamental fact that our bodies are composed of more than 60 trillion cells—and that when cellular health breaks down, our organs and the entire body are at risk—he founded GeronCellVain, a regenerative medicine company specializing in “cell therapy” that aids in the fundamental recovery of cells. Pharm Daily met with CEO Kim Deok-kyu to discuss the company’s competitive edge and future IPO plans.

ZeronCellVain’s Low-Temperature Extraction Technology Offers Unmatched Safety... A Closer Look at Its Technical Strengths

The company name “ZeronCellVane” embodies the “Zeron” value of creating something (1) from nothing (0), along with the philosophy of serving as a “Vane” that guides cells (Cell) toward a healthy direction. Having surpassed 5 billion won in revenue last year, GeronCellVane is confident it will reach 10 billion won in revenue this year and is setting its sights on a KOSDAQ listing next year. To this end, the company pursued a partnership with Chuncheon City to build a third factory; however, due to delays in securing funding and other factors, the project is currently on hold, and the company is coordinating a resumption date.

PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a DNA fragment extracted from salmon germ cells; it matches human genes by more than 98% and is a substance that strongly promotes tissue regeneration. Previously, methods involving the use of large amounts of chemical substances, such as organic solvents, and extraction at high temperatures were employed; however, this caused damage to the DNA structure, resulting in inconsistent molecular weights across batches.

To eliminate these risks, GeronCellVain established “Prism Technology,” the world’s first low-temperature extraction technology based on physical processes. This platform technology uses a proprietary physical control process to uniformly isolate DNA to the desired size without chemical organic solvents, and the company has also registered a patent for the production of uniform nucleic acid fragments using this method.

PDRN is a concept that generally encompasses all DNA fragments within the 50–2,200 bp range; GeronCellVein announced that it has secured technology to selectively extract only the portions with the most outstanding therapeutic effects from this range.

CEO Kim emphasized, “We have reduced production costs through a proprietary filter system that does not use any of the expensive proteases required by conventional processes,” adding, “We were the first company to receive approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to extract raw materials from both salmon testes and semen, thereby ensuring both yield and safety.”

Reasons for Confidence in Competitive Advantage Over Pharma Research

Pharma Research, with a market capitalization of 3.3 trillion won, is considered the undisputed leader in the domestic PDRN market. However, CEO Kim views the company not as a competitor but as a partner, explaining the difference: “There are only five companies worldwide capable of producing PDRN active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). While Pharma Research focuses on aesthetics, we concentrate on the medical and biotech sectors.”

The key differentiators are “consistent molecular weight” and “targeting medical conditions.” He explained that existing chemical extraction methods result in inconsistent molecular weights, making it difficult to consistently meet medical specifications; as a result, even leading companies have been unable to obtain U.S. FDA registration or Chinese specialized drug approvals. ZeronCellVain has demonstrated a technology that produces a consistent molecular weight even when voltage or concentration is varied in electrophoresis experiments, describing this as a “fingerprint-like” consistency that never wavers.

The company explains that, based on this technology, it has secured the No. 1 brand position in the dental market, where there were previously no alternatives to surgical or internal medical treatments. Peri-implantitis, which occurs 5 to 10 years after implant surgery, is life-threatening for patients with underlying conditions and previously had no treatment option other than tooth extraction; however, Cellvein Injection is reported to alleviate inflammation through an immune normalization mechanism and has demonstrated dramatic clinical results, including alveolar bone regeneration visible on X-rays.

Collaboration with traditional pharmaceutical companies is also gaining momentum. In partnership with Chong Kun Dang, the company has launched the skin-regenerating cream “RejuMedic Cream” and a wound-healing ointment, and is currently jointly developing a next-generation osteoarthritis treatment that simultaneously provides the buffering action and anti-inflammatory effects of synovial fluid. CEO Kim stated, “We are highly likely to receive an export license for our PDRN prescription drug to China within this month,” adding, “This will be the first such achievement in Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech industry and will serve as a turning point that reshapes the global raw materials market.”

ZeronCellVain is broadening its focus to the global market and the development of treatments for rare and intractable diseases. The company is jointly developing a treatment for salivary gland damage and dry mouth caused by radiation therapy with Yonsei University Severance Hospital; having successfully completed preclinical trials and filed a patent application, it is now undergoing the U.S. FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) process. With Seoul National University, it is conducting preclinical trials for a psoriasis treatment that modulates inflammatory responses in the central nervous system.

Recently, the company finalized the selection of its lead underwriter and is proceeding with preparations for a KOSDAQ listing next year. CEO Kim stated, “Since we have met the criteria of revenue, technology, and patents, the listing should proceed without major issues,” adding, “By 2030, we will establish a value chain encompassing everything from raw materials to finished products, our new drug pipeline, and B2C healthcare.”