What GemVax & KAEL does

GemVax & KAEL Co., Ltd. is a Seoul-headquartered (Bundang, Seongnam) clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company listed on KOSDAQ under ticker 082270, founded in 1998. The company operates a dual-business model: a profitable environmental pollution control division that manufactures chemical air filters for semiconductor manufacturing and holds a 58% share of the Korean domestic semiconductor air filter market, and a biotech R&D division developing GV1001, a proprietary synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide derived from the key sequence of human telomerase. The biotech division is pursuing GV1001 across multiple neurodegenerative indications, with a lead program in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) where a Korean Phase 2a trial has reported a 48% reduction in overall disease progression and a 95% reduction in the PSP-RS subtype at the 0.56 mg dose, alongside a global Phase 2 trial in Alzheimer's disease enrolling 199 patients across 43 institutions in the United States and seven European countries.

GV1001's mechanism is differentiated among CNS candidates: it modulates microglial and astrocytic phenotypes, promotes Aβ plaque phagocytosis via the mTORC2 pathway, inhibits tau hyperphosphorylation, and has more recently been characterized as acting through gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) interaction. The asset has accumulated a rare combination of regulatory designations — Orphan Drug status from Korea's MFDS, the US FDA, and the EU EMA, plus FDA Fast Track designation — all specifically for PSP. Additional preclinical programs target ALS (SOD1/C9orf72 models), multiple sclerosis (MOG35-55), and Parkinson's disease (MPTP model), with a second pipeline asset GV2002 in undisclosed indications. The company's go-to-market model is hybrid: domestic licensing with Samsung Pharm Co., Ltd. (an affiliated entity since 2013) for Alzheimer's and the legacy pancreatic cancer drug RIAVAX, alongside independent global commercialization planning through standard pharmaceutical distribution post-approval. Clinical trial execution is supported by a global network including Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, LMU Munich (Dr. Günter U. Höglinger as a named PSP Phase 3 advisor), and a newly established International PSP Research and Treatment Center with CurePSP and SNUBH signed in December 2024.

Name

GemVax & KAEL

Legal name

GemVax & KAEL Co., Ltd.

Website

https://gemvax.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Short description

GemVax & KAEL is a Korean clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing GV1001, a telomerase-derived peptide for neurodegenerative diseases including PSP and Alzheimer's, funded by a profitable domestic semiconductor air filter business holding 58% Korean market share.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical drug development

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Strategy & Global Submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/BLA/MAA) (HLAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Neurodegenerative disease therapeutics
• Peptide drug development
• Telomerase-based therapeutics
• Semiconductor air filters
• Clinical stage biopharmaceuticals

Headquarters

HQ city

Daejeon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Biopharmaceutical drug development and commercialization: As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, GemVax's primary revenue model is the development and eventual commercialization of proprietary drug candidates. The company is developing GV1001 for neurodegenerative diseases including PSP and Alzheimer's disease, with plans to commercialize upon regulatory approval. Revenue would come from product sales following approval.
2. Licensing and milestone payments: GemVax has signed domestic license agreements with Samsung Pharm Co., Ltd. for both Alzheimer's disease drug development (2023) and RIAVAX pancreatic cancer drug (pre-2013), generating licensing and milestone revenues. The company also plans to attract institutional investment through equity offerings to fund late-stage clinical development.
3. Environmental pollution control / semiconductor air filters: The company's environmental pollution control division generated approximately 70 billion won in sales with a 22% operating profit margin last year. This business segment holds a 58% market share in Korea's domestic semiconductor air filter market and provides financial support for biotech R&D operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GemVax & KAEL is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing GV1001, a proprietary synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide derived from human telomerase, as a multi-mechanism therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Alzheimer's disease. The company also operates an environmental pollution control division that manufactures chemical air filters for the semiconductor industry, holding a 58% share of the Korean domestic market. Revenue from the air filter business funds the biotech R&D operations.

Product overview

GemVax & KAEL is a pioneering clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Korea, dedicated to developing proprietary therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. The company's lead drug candidate is GV1001, a synthetic peptide of 16 amino acids derived from human telomerase. GV1001 is being developed for multiple neurodegenerative indications including Alzheimer's disease (Phase 2 globally), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (Phase 2 completed in Korea, preparing for global Phase 3), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. The company is also developing GV2002 for undisclosed indications. GV1001 has received Orphan Drug Designation from regulatory authorities in Korea, the United States, and Europe, as well as Fast Track Designation from the US FDA, for the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GV1001: Lead drug candidate - synthetic peptide consisting of 16 amino acids based on telomerase for treating neurodegenerative diseases including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Alzheimer's disease
• GV2002

Products and services

• GV1001 Investigational synthetic peptide composed of 16 amino acids derived from the key sequence of human telomerase; being developed for treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (Phase 2a completed in Korea, Phase 3 in global preparation), Alzheimer's disease (global Phase 2), and preclinical development for ALS, MS, and Parkinson's disease. The drug modulates glial cell phenotypes, regulates neuroinflammation, and reduces amyloid-beta plaques and tau protein aggregation.
• GV2002 Pipeline drug candidate with undisclosed indication under development by GemVax.
• RIAVAX (pancreatic cancer immuno-oncology drug) Pancreatic cancer immuno-oncology drug that received conditional approval in South Korea. Subject of a prior license agreement with Samsung Pharm Co., Ltd. and Phase 3 clinical trial results announced in 2019.
• Semiconductor chemical air filters Chemical air filters used in semiconductor manufacturing processes; sold to Korean semiconductor industry clients. Generated approximately 70 billion won in annual sales with a 22% operating profit margin and holds a 58% market share in Korea's domestic semiconductor air filter market.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48% reduction in disease progression (PSP-Rating Scale) in overall PSP patients after 24 weeks of 0.56 mg GV1001 treatment vs placebo
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2024Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, CurePSP, and GemVax signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to establish Korea's first International Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Research and Treatment Center. SNUBH will support stable operation of the center and lead advancements in medical care, education, and research. The center aims to integrate the infrastructure and expertise of all three parties for education, research, treatment, and commercialization of PSP therapeutics.
• CurePSP, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2024CurePSP, a U.S.-based nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1990, acts as advisor, connector, and subject matter expert for the International PSP Research and Treatment Center. Drawing upon 30 years of global experience, CurePSP provides guidance on best practices for PSP care, education, and research while leveraging its extensive global network. CurePSP is the leading nonprofit dedicated to awareness, care and cure for PSP, CBD, and MSA.
• Samsung Pharm Co., Ltd.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2023GemVax signed a domestic license agreement with Samsung Pharm Co., Ltd. for Alzheimer's disease drug development. The companies have also jointly applied for conditional approval of GV1001 for PSP in Korea. Previously, Samsung Pharm and GemVax executed a management rights transfer agreement, making Samsung Pharm an affiliated company. A prior license agreement was also signed for the RIAVAX pancreatic cancer drug.
• Professor Ji-Young Lee, Seoul National University HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Ji-Young Lee of Seoul National University College of Medicine (practicing at Boramae Hospital) serves as the principal investigator for GemVax's Phase 2a PSP clinical trial. She presented the topline results at Neuro2024 and has been conducting clinical research on GV1001 for PSP treatment.
• Professor Seong-Woon Yu, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Seong-Woon Yu's team at DGIST conducted research on GV1001's mechanism for amyloid beta clearance, presenting findings at the ReThink Neuroimmunology Symposium 2024 at the University of Washington. The study demonstrated that GV1001 promotes microglial migration and phagocytosis to remove amyloid beta plaques.
• Professor Emeritus No-hee Park, UCLA Dental SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Emeritus No-hee Park of UCLA's Dental School led a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS/IF 5.6) confirming GV1001's preventive effects on periodontitis, periodontitis-related atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease, demonstrating reduction in amyloid-beta and tau accumulation.
• Dr. Günter U. Höglinger, LMU Hospital MunichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Günter U. Höglinger, Head of the Department of Neurology at LMU Hospital Munich and world-renowned PSP expert, has reviewed GV1001 data and expressed excitement for the drug to enter global Phase 3 clinical trials. He stated he looks forward to participating and leading the PSP Phase 3 study.
• CurePSPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Kristophe Diaz, Director of CurePSP, expressed encouragement about the Phase 2a trial results, stating they offer hope to the entire PSP community. CurePSP remains committed to collaborating and supporting efforts that bring hope and progress for those affected by PSP. CurePSP is a catalyst for new treatments and a cure, establishing important partnerships and funding critical research internationally.
• ICON plcminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPeter Schüler, MD, Senior Vice President of Drug Development at global CRO ICON, provided expert commentary on the Phase 2a trial results, noting the observed trends are very plausible and consistent in motor performance and cognitive function domains, and that the results provide a strong foundation for advancing to Phase 3.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Biogen Inc. Large-cap US biotech with Aduhelm, Leqembi (with Eisai) and broader neurodegeneration pipeline; leading commercial AD franchise that GV1001 would compete against.
• Eli Lilly and Company: Large-cap pharma with donanemab and broader Alzheimer's pipeline; sets the bar for commercial scale in AD that GV1001 would compete against.
• Eisai Co., Ltd. Large Japanese pharma with lecanemab (Leqembi) for Alzheimer's disease and broader neuroscience franchise; relevant broad incumbent competitor for GV1001's AD program.
• Roche (F. Hoffmann-La Roche): Global pharma with gantenerumab and active tau/Abeta Alzheimer's pipeline; deep neuroscience R&D resources that dwarf GemVax's clinical-stage capability.

Direct peers

• TauRx Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing tau-aggregation inhibitors (LMTX/hydromethylthionine) for Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia; aligns with GemVax's tau-targeting strategy for PSP/AD.
• Anavex Life Sciences: Clinical-stage biopharma developing small-molecule candidates (e.g., blarcamesine/ANAVEX 2-73) for Alzheimer's, Rett syndrome and other neurodegenerative diseases. Direct comparison to GemVax given similar size, clinical-stage profile, and multi-mechanism neuro approach.
• BioXcel Therapeutics: Clinical-stage neuroscience company developing re-engineered CNS therapies (BXCL501, BXCL701) in agitation in dementia and neuro-oncology; comparable small-cap neuro drug developer.
• Prothena Corporation: Clinical-stage biotech developing protein-misfolding and tau/Abeta-targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and AD; comparable to GemVax's tau/Aβ mechanistic approach.
• Cassava Sciences: Clinical-stage company developing simufilam for Alzheimer's disease; small-cap neuro biotech with similar stage and indication focus as GemVax's GV1001 AD program.
• AC Immune SA: Swiss clinical-stage company developing vaccines and therapeutics targeting tau, Abeta and alpha-synuclein for neurodegenerative diseases; directly comparable to GemVax's multi-target neuro pipeline and clinical-stage profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gemvax
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gemvax/posts/?feedView=all

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GemVax & KAEL