[Edaily Reporter Minji Son ] On the 11th, domestic pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare stocks showed strength, buoyed by a general market rebound. MedPacto, Inc.(235980)is believed to have seen its stock price rise as expectations regarding an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and potential technology transfer were reflected in the share price, following the selection of preclinical research results for its anticancer drug candidate “MP010” as the cover article of an international academic journal. #Curiosis Inc. rebounded amid growing expectations that shipments of global Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) products will begin in earnest in the fourth quarter. Orders and sales of products supplied to Levity Biomed and a German company, M, are seen as key factors for future performance.

MedPacto, Inc. Hits Daily Price Limit on MP010 Preclinical Results

According to KG Zeroin MP Doctor (MP DOCTOR, formerly Marketpoint), MedPacto, Inc. closed at 4,660 won on the KOSDAQ market today, up 29.99% (1,075 won) from the previous trading day. Buying pressure flowed in from the start of the session, driving the stock up to its daily price limit.

This is believed to have been driven by a combination of factors, including the results of preclinical studies on the anticancer drug candidate “MP010,” expectations for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and discussions regarding technology transfer and joint research with global pharmaceutical companies. In particular, attention was drawn to the fact that animal studies not only confirmed the drug’s ability to eliminate tumors but also demonstrated its potential to suppress recurrence after treatment and induce an immune response against other types of cancer.

MedPacto, Inc. announced the previous day that the preclinical research results on MP010 had been selected as the cover article for the November issue of “Cancer Cell,” an international academic journal in the field of oncology. MP010 is an anticancer drug candidate designed to selectively block the action of TGF-β, a protein that inhibits the activity of immune cells in the vicinity of tumors. It weakens the protective environment surrounding cancer cells, thereby inducing immune cells to attack the cancer.

The research team confirmed that tumors disappeared in 75–87.5% of the experimental group in a pancreatic cancer animal model. When the same cancer cells were re-implanted into animals whose tumors had disappeared, no new tumors developed; similarly, when other types of pancreatic cancer or lung and bladder cancer cells were implanted, tumors did not develop in more than 80% of cases. The research team analyzed that the immune memory formed during treatment provided protective effects against recurrence and other cancer cells.

A MedPacto, Inc. representative stated, “We are proceeding with commercialization at the preclinical stage and are preparing to submit an IND application early next year; it seems the market views this positively, as we are not stopping at merely publishing a paper but are achieving milestones one by one.” The representative added, “Preparations for the IND application, including toxicity studies, are in the final stages.”

The company is currently focusing its development efforts on pancreatic cancer but is also exploring the potential to expand into other cancer types, such as breast cancer and glioblastoma (GBM). The goal is to secure IND approval in South Korea and the United States early next year. However, since the efficacy observed so far is based on animal studies, the process of verifying safety and efficacy in human clinical trials remains.

Another factor fueling expectations is MedPacto, Inc.’s participation in “BIO-Europe,” taking place in Cologne, Germany, from the 9th to the 11th, where the company will present the research results on MP010 to global pharmaceutical companies and discuss possibilities for technology transfer and joint research. However, the commercialization strategy has not yet been determined. A company official stated, “We are keeping our options open and exploring various possibilities,” adding, “We may consider pursuing a technology transfer as we enter the clinical trial phase or receiving support for clinical development through joint research.”

Curiosis Inc. Rebounds on Expectations of Global ODM Shipments

Curiosis Inc. closed trading on the KOSDAQ market at 13,400 won, up 11.85% (1,420 won).

This is interpreted as a reflection of expectations that global ODM product shipments will begin in earnest starting in the fourth quarter, in addition to the recent overall recovery in biotech stock prices. Whether the contract between Revvity Biomed and a German company, “M,” translates into actual orders and revenue is seen as the key to future performance.

A Curiosis Inc. official stated, “It does not appear there was any specific positive news to explain today’s rise,” but added, “Given that the stock price had fallen significantly and that shipments of global ODM products are set to begin in earnest starting in the fourth quarter, expectations regarding this may have played a role.”

Following Revvity, Curiosis Inc. is expanding its ODM business by securing German Company M as a global client. Both contracts follow a structure in which Curiosis Inc. develops and manufactures products tailored to client requirements based on its proprietary technology, and then sells them through the clients’ brands and distribution networks. This allows Curiosis Inc. to reduce the time and costs associated with building its own distribution infrastructure by leveraging its clients’ overseas sales networks.

Curiosis Inc. has signed a global supply agreement with Company M for automated cell imaging products. Based on Curiosis Inc.’s live-cell imaging system, the “Celloger Mini Plus,” the software will be customized to meet Company M’s requirements, and the products will be supplied under Company M’s brand. The contract term is five years and will be automatically renewed on a yearly basis thereafter.

However, no minimum order quantity (MOQ) was set in the contract. Production and sales occur based on individual purchase orders (POs) received from countries around the world. Instead, the deal is viewed as having high medium- to long-term growth potential given that the sales territory spans the globe.

The Levity contract incorporates supply volumes into the agreement, resulting in relatively high revenue visibility. Curiosis Inc. signed an additional supply contract with Levity this year for the Colony Picker (CPX) and extended its existing contract for high-throughput screening (HTS) live-cell imaging systems through March 2029. The supply volume under this contract has increased to approximately 10 billion won, and the contract terms have been revised to specify a minimum order quantity (MOQ) on a quarterly basis. Setting volume targets on a quarterly basis allows for more precise management of production plans and revenue.

Meanwhile, Curiosis Inc. is also finalizing an incubator currently under development based on intellectual property (IP) acquired from Japan. A Curiosis Inc. official stated, “The in-house development of the incubator is in its final stages, and we expect to unveil it by early next year at the latest.”