What iNtRON Biotechnology does

iNtRON Biotechnology (주식회사 인트론바이오테크놀로지) is a KOSDAQ-listed (A048530) South Korean biopharmaceutical company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. The company develops novel anti-infective and immunotherapeutic drugs based on proprietary bacteriophage and endolysin platform technologies, organized around two core platforms: itLysin® for engineering endolysins that directly hydrolyze bacterial cell walls to bypass antibiotic resistance, and IMPA™ for engineering functional bacteriophages targeting oncology, vaccines, and immune regulation. Supporting platforms include N-Rephasin®, PHAGERIA® (microbiome), PHAGERUS® (antiviral), PHAGERIARUS® (immune regulators), a Spirulina-based microalgae production system, and effervescent/Drop-in formulation technology. The lead clinical asset, SAL200 (TonaBACASE), is an endolysin targeting MRSA/VRSA with FDA Orphan Drug Designation, FDA Phase 2b IND approval, and completed Phase 1/1b/2a trials demonstrating safety; a nasal decolonization variant (INT-214) received Korean MFDS Phase 1/2a IND approval in June 2026.

The business operates multiple revenue streams: technology licensing and milestone/royalty income (anchored by the up-to-KRW 1.2 trillion ROiBAnte SAL200 deal and YieopHyeon antifungal licensing), government R&D grants and contracts (including a US Army bacteriophage development contract), molecular diagnostics sales under the LiliF™ brand (FaSTAR series, COVID-19 kits, Miracle AutoXT extraction systems, avian influenza and gastroenteritis tests), animal health and aquaculture products distributed via channel partners in the Philippines, Russia, Indonesia, Mexico, Vietnam, and Brazil, and cosmeceutical ingredient licensing (iN-SIS5 / Acetyl Myricetin). GTM is enterprise field sales targeting global pharma for technology licensing and co-development, supplemented by channel partners for animal health and a specialized diagnostics ordering portal.

Financially, iNtRON reported KRW 5.74 billion in 2025 revenue (down from KRW 6.42 billion in 2024), KRW 74.1 billion in total assets, and KRW 69.7 billion in equity, with persistent operating losses reflecting heavy R&D investment relative to current product-stage revenue. The company has raised capital through a KRW 400 billion convertible bond (2021) and a KRW 30 billion non-refixing convertible bond (June 2026), while its share price (KRW 2,410 as of July 2026) sits near 52-week lows against a KRW 7,010 high. Strategic value remains concentrated in pipeline optionality — particularly the SAL200 franchise, INT-214 nasal decolonization, EAL2200 fire blight, TgC-Phage E immune-oncology, and ASF Vaccine — and in licensing execution with global pharma partners.

Name

iNtRON Biotechnology

Legal name

(주)인트론바이오테크놀로지 (iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.)

Website

https://intron.co.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

iNtRON Biotechnology is a KOSDAQ-listed South Korean biopharmaceutical company developing bacteriophage- and endolysin-based therapeutics for multi-drug resistant infections, oncology, and immune modulation, monetized through pharma licensing, diagnostics sales, and animal health distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Infectious Disease Specialty Pharmaceuticals (Non-vaccine) (HLAIACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG), Microbiology & Infectious Disease Diagnostics (Culture/ID/AST) (HLAHAAAC), Antimicrobials & Anti-infectives (HLAMAEAE), Microbiome Manufacturing, Formulation & Delivery Technologies (encapsulation, spores, oral delivery) (HLAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Bacteriophage therapeutics
• Endolysin antibacterials
• Antimicrobial resistance drugs
• Molecular diagnostic kits
• Phage engineering platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing and Royalty Revenue: Major revenue stream from out-licensing proprietary endolysin and bacteriophage technologies to global pharmaceutical companies. Includes upfront payments, milestone payments, and ongoing royalties. SAL200 technology transferred to ROiBAnte (RoyalRoyb) for up to KRW 1.2 trillion including milestone payments and royalties. Antifungal technology licensed to YieopHyeon (이연제약).
2. Molecular Diagnostics Products: Sales of molecular diagnostic kits and equipment including FaSTAR series, COVID-19 diagnostic kits, avian influenza tests, viral gastroenteritis tests, bee virus diagnostics, and automated nucleic acid extraction systems (Miracle AutoXT). Distributed under LiliF™ (릴리프) brand through domestic and international channels.
3. Animal Health Products: Commercialization of bacteriophage-based antibiotic alternatives for aquaculture (shrimp EMS/AHPND), poultry, and livestock. Products distributed through international partners in Southeast Asia, Russia, and Latin America. Includes topical/feed additive formulations.
4. Government R&D Grants and Contracts: Revenue from government-funded research programs including national projects for new drug development, AMR solutions, and diagnostic kit development. Includes US Army bacteriophage development project contract.
5. Cosmeceutical Ingredients: Sales of bioactive ingredients for cosmetic applications. iN-SIS5 (botulinum toxin alternative) registered as international cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Acetyl Myricetin) for anti-wrinkle and antioxidant effects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

iNtRON Biotechnology develops bacteriophage- and endolysin-based biopharmaceuticals for treating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections and cancer, using two proprietary platforms — itLysin® (endolysin engineering for infectious disease) and IMPA™ (phage engineering for anti-cancer, vaccine, and immune regulation). The lead clinical asset, SAL200 (INN: TonaBACASE), targets MRSA/VRSA bacteremia and infective endocarditis. The company also sells LiliF molecular diagnostic kits and equipment, and distributes bacteriophage-based animal health and agricultural products in international markets through channel partners.

Product overview

iNtRON Biotechnology operates as a unified platform company built around two core proprietary technology platforms: itLysin® for endolysin engineering targeting infectious diseases, and IMPA™ for phage engineering targeting oncology and immune modulation. The company's product portfolio spans human therapeutics (SAL200/Tonabacase, INT-214 nasal decolonization, EAL2200, TgC-Phage E, ASF Vaccine, HAdase), companion animal health products (bacteriophage feed additives), and molecular diagnostics (LiliF Diagnostics brand including FaSTAR and Miracle AutoXT). Supporting technology platforms include N-Rephasin®, PHAGERIA® (microbiome targeting), PHAGERUS® (antiviral), PHAGERIARUS® (immune regulators), a microalgae-based production system, and effervescent formulation technology. The company also publishes scientific literature including the 'Bacteriophage' book series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• itLysin®: Endolysin engineering platform technology for infectious disease treatment
• IMPA™
• N-Rephasin®
• LiliF Diagnostics
• PHAGERIA® (파지리아)
• PHAGERUS® (파지러스)
• PHAGERIARUS® (파지리아러스)
• FaSTAR

Products and services

• SAL200 (INN: TonaBACASE) Intravenous Endolysin Intravenous endolysin-based drug candidate targeting Staphylococcus aureus infections including MRSA and VRSA, for bacteremia and infective endocarditis; received WHO International Nonproprietary Name 'TonaBACASE' and FDA Orphan Drug Designation; Phase 2b IND approved by FDA.
• INT-214 Nasal SAL200 (Nasal SA Decolonization Drug) Nasal antibacterial drug candidate using the SAL200 endolysin for pre-operative decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Korean MFDS Phase 1/2a IND approval received June 2026.
• EAL2200 Fire Blight Endolysin Endolysin-based antibacterial for agricultural use against Erwinia amylovora (fire blight in apples/pears); achieved 100% eradication of three target strains at 10 µg/mL within 10 minutes in CRO-validated testing.
• TgC-Phage E Immune-Oncology Candidate IMPA™ platform-derived immune-oncology candidate using engineered bacteriophages to modulate anti-tumor immune response for colorectal cancer, supported by Seoul National University Cancer Research Center preclinical work.
• African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine Candidate ASF vaccine candidate developed using the IMPA™ phage engineering platform, targeting one of the most economically significant challenges in global animal husbandry.
• HAdase Hyaluronidase Enzyme Novel hyaluronidase enzyme developed to maximize drug-delivery efficiency as part of iNtRON's expanded pipeline across multiple therapeutic applications.
• iN-SIS5 Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI: Acetyl Myricetin) Bioactive cosmetic ingredient registered under INCI (International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook) as a botulinum toxin alternative with anti-wrinkle and antioxidant effects.
• Miracle AutoXT Nucleic Acid Extraction System Automated magnetic-bead-based nucleic acid extraction instrument under the LiliF Diagnostics brand that processes up to 32 samples in under 30 minutes, with touchscreen interface, high-speed vibrator, and individual heating functions.
• FaSTAR Molecular Diagnostic Testing System Integrated LiliF Diagnostics series for rapid and precise molecular diagnostic workflows combining gene extraction and amplification.
• LiliF™ Viral Gastroenteritis Real-time RT-PCR Kit LiliF Diagnostics real-time RT-PCR kit detecting norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus from fecal samples using proprietary CLP and Chimeric Probe technologies.
• COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Diagnostic Kit (CE) Rapid antibody detection kit for SARS-CoV-2 that received European CE certification, enabling EU export as a point-of-care diagnostic.
• LiliF Avian Influenza Diagnostic Kit Improved nucleic-acid-test avian influenza virus detection kit utilizing proprietary CLP technology with Korean Patent No. 10-1617142.
• Bacteriophage Aquaculture/AHPEMS Animal Health Products Commercial bacteriophage-based antibiotic alternatives for shrimp aquaculture (targeting AHPND/EMS) and for poultry and livestock, distributed through channel partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, and Russia.
• Oral Endolysin Formulation for Intestinal Disease Oral dosage form of endolysin drug candidates designed to treat intractable intestinal diseases including C. difficile infection (CDI); supports patent-pending oral formulation technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Complete sterilization (<1 log10 CFU/g) achieved in rabbit left-side infective endocarditis model vs. incomplete bacterial reduction with standard-of-care (Daptomycin)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and regional.

• Basilea PharmaceuticacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Swiss antibiotic specialty company engaged in deep technical meetings at AMR Conference 2026 regarding global licensing opportunities for SAL200. Basilea evaluated complete sterilization data from rabbit endocarditis model and expressed interest in reviewing raw data for internal assessment.
• ROiBAnte (로이반트) - Option AgreementflagshipTechnology or Integration · 31 October 2023Conditional option agreement for expanded indications of SAL200 technology. First stage procedures completed January 2024, expanding scope of original licensing partnership to include additional therapeutic applications.
• RescueBio (리스큐어바이오)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2023MOU for PHAGERIARUS technology collaboration. Strategic partnership for immune regulation platform technology development and potential commercialization.
• US Army (미육군)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2023Bacteriophage development project contract with US Army for development of phage-based solutions addressing biological threats. Strategic collaboration leveraging company's phage engineering capabilities.
• Estechpharma (에스텍파마)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2023Business cooperation for eHeme (innovative iron material) product commercialization. Strategic partnership for novel iron supplement technology development.
• YieopHyeon Pharmaceutical (이연제약)coreTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2021Technology transfer and licensing agreement for antifungal drug candidate. Agreement for co-development and commercialization of antifungal therapeutics using iNtRON's proprietary technology platform.
• ROiBAnte (로이반트)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 20 November 2018Flagship licensing agreement for SAL200 (TonaBACASE) endolysin technology. Initial deal value KRW 750 billion (~USD 667.5 million) increased to KRW 1.2 trillion including upfront payment, development milestones, and royalties. ROiBAnte acquired rights for global development and commercialization. Company retains manufacturing capability and receives ongoing royalty payments.
• Russian Local PartnersregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 July 2018Regional partnership for development and commercialization of customized bacteriophage products for Russian market. Three Russian patents acquired for Clostridium perfringens and E. coli targeting phages. Local partner collaboration for product supply and market development.
• HEBBORN ANALYTICS INC.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhilippines distribution partner for animal diagnostic products under LiliF brand. Collaboration for Southeast Asian market expansion including veterinary diagnostic products (RDT and MDx).
• HEBBORN ANALYTICS INC. (Philippines)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhilippines distributor for animal diagnostic products under LiliF brand. Collaboration for Southeast Asian market expansion including veterinary diagnostic products (RDT and MDx).
• Seoul National University HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial partnership for SAL200 nasal decolonization studies and other clinical programs. Collaborating on clinical execution with Seoul National University Hospital as key clinical trial site.
• Seoul National University College of Medicine Cancer Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research collaboration for IMPA phage technology in colorectal cancer treatment. Published research in Scientific Reports demonstrating phage-mediated restoration of epithelial integrity in colon organoids exposed to ETBF and pks+ E. coli.
• UCLA Research TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on left-side infective endocarditis (LSIE) rabbit model demonstrating SAL200 complete sterilization efficacy. High-difficulty preclinical model collaboration showing bacterial reduction to below detection limit in heart, kidney, and spleen.
• International Distributors (Indonesia, Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distribution partners for bacteriophage-based animal health products including aquaculture treatments (AHPND/EMS for shrimp) and livestock antibiotic alternatives. Partners enable market access in major aquaculture and livestock production regions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ContraFect Corporation: Direct peer developing endolysin-based therapeutics (exebacase/CF-301) for MRSA bacteremia and endocarditis — virtually identical mechanism and target indication to iNtRON's SAL200.
• Armata Pharmaceuticals: Direct peer developing engineered bacteriophage therapeutics (formerly C3J Therapeutics) for antibiotic-resistant infections including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Eligo Bioscience: Direct peer developing engineered phage-based precision medicines targeting specific bacterial strains, with comparable synthetic biology approach to iNtRON's IMPA™ platform.
• Adaptive Phage Therapeutics: Direct peer operating a phage-based therapeutic platform targeting multi-drug resistant infections, with active clinical programs overlapping iNtRON's antibacterial pipeline.
• Phagelux: Direct peer commercializing bacteriophage-based products for animal health, agriculture, and food safety — closely aligned with iNtRON's animal health and aquaculture businesses.
• Locus Biosciences: Direct peer combining CRISPR-Cas3 with engineered bacteriophages to precisely target antimicrobial-resistant pathogens — directly comparable to iNtRON's robot phage / Superphage platform.
• Micreos: Direct peer with endolysin-based products (Staphefekt for atopic dermatitis), pioneering commercial endolysin applications in human skin care and food safety.

Emerging players

• SNIPR Biome: Emerging peer using CRISPR-based phage technologies to selectively modulate the microbiome, conceptually adjacent to iNtRON's PHAGERIA® microbiome platform.
• TechnoPhage: Emerging peer developing bacteriophage-derived products for bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance, primarily based in Portugal and EU markets.

Broad incumbents

• Basilea Pharmaceutica: Swiss-listed specialty antibiotic company and iNtRON's prospective SAL200 licensing partner; broader anti-infective portfolio with established commercial infrastructure in major markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/intron-biotechnology

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about iNtRON Biotechnology