Quratis, a tuberculosis vaccine, pushed for IPO

Quratis, which is developing tuberculosis vaccine, will try to enter KOSDAQ. It is widely seen as a company that will lead the localization of the adult tuberculosis vaccine market, which relies entirely on imports.

According to the investment banking industry on Monday, Quratis is preparing to be listed as a special technology case, aiming to enter the KOSDAQ as early as next year. NH Investment & Securities Co. and Shinhan Financial Investment Co. are in charge of weekly representative affairs.

The special listing is a system that helps companies that have promising technologies but lack performance in appearance. Quratis was established in 2016 on the occasion of a joint study of tuberculosis by Yonsei Medical Center and U.S. non-profit organization Idri. IDRI is a research institute that develops new drugs for incurable diseases.He also received investments from leading foundations such as the Gates Foundation. Quratis has transferred its core technology from Idri and is working to develop a new drug.

Newborns, who are eligible for state vaccination, receive free vaccinations for tuberculosis up to 59 months after birth, However, preventive measures are needed for teenagers and adults as the vaccine effect disappears after 10 to 15 years. Quratis is leading the localization of all adult tuberculosis vaccines. The vaccine (ID93+GLA-SE) was developed in the U.S. and South Africa and has secured data on 1,000 people.
In South Korea, it has received approval for clinical 2a test approval in 2017 and is conducting clinical trials with Yonsei, Chung-Ang University and Ajou University hospitals.

Venture capital firms evaluate Quratis as a social impact (social value This is because they are trying to solve social problems such as vaccines for tuberculosis and foot-and-mouth disease. Starcet Investment, SJ Investment Partners (7.17 percent), and KDB Industrial Bank of Korea (6.36 percent) had invested in Quratis early on, noting this.