What iNtRON Biotechnology does

iNtRON Biotechnology is a KOSDAQ-listed South Korean biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, founded in 2000 by CEO Kyung Won Yoon. The company operates two business parts: a New Drug Part focused on bacteriophage- and endolysin-based therapeutics, and a Diagnostics & Reagents (DR) Part that develops and commercializes molecular diagnostic kits. The New Drug Part is built on two proprietary platforms — itLysin® (engineered endolysin technology enhanced via advanced bio-engineering for first-in-class antimicrobial resistance therapeutics) and IMPA™ (Intelligent Modular Phage Assembly, integrating CRISPR/Cas and transposon mutagenesis with AI-driven analytics to engineer modular bacteriophages for immunotherapeutics and vaccines) — supported by complementary platforms PHAGERIA®, PHAGERUS®, and PHAGERIARUS® targeting microbiome-immunity modulation, virus-targeted vaccines, and direct phage-immune interactions, respectively. The pipeline is anchored by SAL200 [INT-211] (lead endolysin candidate for infective endocarditis and bacteremia, US FDA Phase 2b IND-approved) and spans nasal decolonization (INT-214, MFDS Phase 1/2a IND-approved June 2026), CRE decolonization (PKL200), oncology candidates (TgC-Phage E, TgG-Phage E), agricultural applications (EAL2200 for fire blight), and veterinary indications (bovine mastitis, African Swine Fever).

The company's go-to-market is bifurcated. On the therapeutics side, it pursues global out-licensing and co-development partnerships — most notably the 2018 Roivant Sciences agreement for SAL200 worth up to US$667.5M in milestone payments plus low double-digit royalties on net sales, with options for additional anti-Gram-positive programs and first right of offer on anti-Gram-negative assets. Business development is conducted through direct enterprise engagement and major industry events (e.g., BIO USA 2026 in San Diego). On the diagnostics and reagents side, the LiliF™ brand commercializes molecular diagnostic kits (COVID-19 IgG rapid kit, avian influenza H5/H7/H9, nucleic acid extraction reagents with EU CE-IVDR certification) and veterinary bacteriophage alternatives for livestock and aquaculture markets. Customers and collaborators span global pharmaceutical licensing partners (Roivant Sciences), government/defense (U.S. Army DEVCOM), clinical and academic centers (Seoul National University Hospital for INT-214 trials; Seoul National University Cancer Research Institute for colorectal cancer phage studies), and end-buyers of diagnostic and veterinary products. Recent strategic actions include the June 2025 launch of a Scientific Advisory Board chaired by Prof. Hong Bin Kim (WHO STAG-AMR member) and the September 2025 establishment of an Anti-Cancer Immunology division led by Dr. Jangjun Park (ex-Johns Hopkins). The differentiated scientific moat is reinforced by 365+ intellectual property records, 39+ peer-reviewed publications, and a proprietary database of 11,800+ phage genomic sequences and 677+ whole-genome sequences underpinning candidate selection and engineering.

Name

iNtRON Biotechnology

Legal name

iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.

Website

https://intodeworld.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

iNtRON Biotechnology is a KOSDAQ-listed South Korean biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class bacteriophage- and endolysin-based therapeutics (itLysin®, IMPA™) for antimicrobial resistance, oncology, and vaccines, alongside a LiliF™ molecular diagnostics and reagents business. It monetizes via global out-licensing partnerships (Roivant Sciences for SAL200) and direct diagnostics/veterinary product sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals — Bacteriophage and Endolysin Therapeutics

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Protein Engineering & Directed Evolution Platforms (enzyme/therapeutic protein optimization) (HLAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG)

Keywords

• Bacteriophage therapeutics
• Endolysin platform
• 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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Royalties: Out-licensing of early-stage novel pipelines including SAL200 to global pharmaceutical companies. In 2018, signed global licensing agreement with Roivant Sciences worth US$667.5M inclusive of milestone payments, with royalties on net sales in low double digits. Active pursuit of out-licensing opportunities for endolysin pipelines and IMPA-based immuno-oncology agents.
2. Molecular Diagnostics Products: Revenue from development and commercialization of molecular diagnostic kits for animal and human infectious diseases including COVID-19 diagnostic kits, avian influenza tests, and other PCR/qPCR-based diagnostics. Also received CE-IVDR certification for nucleic acid automatic extraction reagent.
3. Veterinary Antibiotic Alternatives: Commercialized animal antibiotic alternatives using natural bacteriophages to address issues associated with synthetic veterinary antibiotics, generating stable revenue from livestock and aquaculture markets.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

iNtRON Biotechnology develops and commercializes bacteriophage- and endolysin-based biopharmaceuticals through two proprietary platform technologies: itLysin® (engineered endolysin therapeutics) and IMPA™ (modular bacteriophage engineering for immunotherapeutics and vaccines). The company also develops and sells the LiliF™ line of molecular diagnostic kits for human and animal infectious diseases and veterinary bacteriophage-based antibiotic alternatives.

Product overview

iNtRON Biotechnology is a novel drug development company operating two core divisions: a New Drug Part focused on biopharmaceutical development, and a DR (Diagnostics & Reagents) Part generating current revenue through molecular diagnostic kits. The New Drug Part centers on two proprietary platform technologies: itLysin®, an engineered endolysin platform for First-in-Class anti-infectives targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and IMPA™, a bacteriophage engineering platform enabling First-in-Concept immunotherapeutics and vaccines for oncology and infectious diseases. The lead pipeline SAL200 [INT-211] has advanced to US FDA Phase 2b for infective endocarditis, while SAL200 [INT-214] nasal decolonization received MFDS Phase 1/2a IND approval. Additional pipelines span CRE decolonization (PKL200), colorectal cancer (TgC-Phage E), GLP-1 delivery (TgG-Phage E), ASF vaccine, and agricultural applications (EAL2200 for fire blight). The company also operates the LiliF™ diagnostic kit brand and holds supporting platforms including PHAGERIA®, PHAGERUS®, and PHAGERIARUS® for microbiome-based immunotherapeutics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• itLysin: Proprietary endolysin engineering platform technology for developing engineered endolysins as smart therapeutics for antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• IMPA
• PHAGERIA
• PHAGERUS
• PHAGERIARUS
• LiliF
• N-Rephasin

Products and services

• itLysin® Platform (Engineered Endolysin Therapeutics) Proprietary endolysin-engineering platform that develops engineered bacteriophage-derived lysins enhanced through advanced bio-engineering to overcome superbugs with superior activity, stability, and safety. Targeted at pharmaceutical partners for licensing and clinical co-development.
• IMPA™ (Intelligent Modular Phage Assembly) Platform Bacteriophage engineering platform that integrates transposon mutagenesis, CRISPR/Cas-based editing, and AI-driven analytics to develop modular phages displaying target proteins on capsids or outer surfaces, enabling dual-targeting therapeutics (bactericidal activity combined with functional protein effects) for immuno-oncology and vaccine applications.
• SAL200 [INT-211] Drug Candidate Lead itLysin®-derived endolysin drug candidate for treatment of infective endocarditis and bacteremia caused by MRSA, VRSA, and CoNS. Holds US FDA Phase 2b IND approval and demonstrated 67- to 267-fold higher antibacterial activity than competing candidates in University of Barcelona research.
• SAL200 [INT-214] Nasal Decolonization Drug Candidate Nasal SAL200 formulation for pre-operative Staphylococcus aureus decolonization to prevent hospital-acquired infections. MFDS Phase 1/2a IND approved, with clinical site designated at Seoul National University Hospital.
• PKL200 [INT-223] CRE Decolonization Drug Candidate Engineered endolysin candidate for intestinal Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) decolonization aimed at preventing superbug spread.
• BAL200 (N-Rephasin®) Anthrax Treatment Endolysin-based biologic for treatment of inhalational anthrax infection by Bacillus anthracis; received US FDA Orphan Drug Designation providing 7-year market exclusivity, tax credits, and fee waivers.
• TgC-Phage E Colorectal Cancer Therapeutic IMPA™-engineered bacteriophage targeting colorectal cancer-associated bacteria (ETBF and pks+ E. coli) using a dual mechanism of bacterial eradication plus genotoxin neutralization. Preclinical proof-of-concept stage.
• SSL2200 [INT-262] Bovine Mastitis Treatment Engineered endolysin-based treatment for bovine mastitis providing an antibiotic alternative for livestock veterinary applications.
• EAL2200 Fire Blight Treatment Candidate Endolysin candidate (EAL2200) for agricultural fire blight prevention and treatment in apple and pear orchards, achieving 100% eradication of all three Erwinia amylovora target strains at 10 μg/mL via an ultra-rapid lytic mechanism. Produced via the Spirulina microalgae platform with 16.5-fold higher productivity than E. coli. Patent filed July 2025.
• GN200 [INT-001] Gram-Negative Antibacterial Candidate Broad-spectrum gram-negative antibacterial drug candidate targeting resistant gram-negative bacteria for antimicrobial resistance applications.
• AgASF-Phage E African Swine Fever Vaccine Candidate IMPA™ platform-based vaccine candidate for African Swine Fever, targeted at the global animal health market.
• TgG-Phage E GLP-1 Agonist Candidate IMPA™ modular phage platform candidate delivering a GLP-1 agonist short peptide for targeted obesity/metabolic disease therapy, demonstrating the platform's extension beyond full-length proteins.
• pHyal20 (Hyal20-Phage) Drug Delivery Platform Hyaluronidase phage platform (pHyal20) for subcutaneous injection drug delivery enhancement, designed to improve subcutaneous bioavailability.
• LiliF™ Molecular Diagnostic Kits Brand of molecular diagnostic kits for human and animal infectious disease detection, including the LiliF™ GBN COVID-19 IgG Rapid Kit (lateral flow immunoassay for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies), avian influenza H5/H7/H9 tests, and bovine blackleg detection assays. Distributed directly and through a commercial subsidiary.
• CE-IVDR Certified Nucleic Acid Extraction Reagent EU CE-IVDR certified reagent for automatic nucleic acid extraction, providing iNtRON a regulatory pathway for diagnostic products into the European Union market.
• Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Recombinant Protein Production Platform Proprietary microalgae-based (Arthrospira platensis / Spirulina) recombinant protein production platform delivering up to 35.3-fold higher yields than conventional E. coli expression, with the additional ability for Spirulina's cell wall to act as natural encapsulation for whole-cell products. Spirulina has US FDA GRAS status.

Named customers4 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

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Seoul National University HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Designated clinical trial site for Phase 1/2a clinical studies of Nasal SAL200 (INT-214) nasal decolonization drug candidate. Company is working closely with the hospital to initiate clinical studies for Staphylococcus aureus decolonization indication.
• Seoul National University College of Medicine - Cancer Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Research collaboration for IMPA™ phage efficacy studies against colorectal cancer-associated bacteria (ETBF and pks+ E. coli) using human colon organoid models. Study accepted for publication in Scientific Reports journal, demonstrating therapeutic effects of bacteriophages targeting cancer-associated pathogens.
• Dr. Jangjun Park (Johns Hopkins University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2025Recruited anticancer immunology expert from Professor Drew Pardoll's team at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Park has 25+ years of experience in cancer immunology with publications in Nature, and experience at Arbutus Biopharma and ISU Abxis. Appointed as Executive Director and head of ACI (anticancer immunology) business division to lead clinical development using IMPA™ platform technology.
• Prof. Hong Bin Kim (Seoul National University Bundang Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2025Appointed as Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Chair for AMR Committee. Prof. Kim is a world-renowned expert in antimicrobial resistance and member of WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on AMR (STAG-AMR). Provides guidance on clinical development and commercialization of itLysin (endolysin) therapeutics.
• U.S. Army DEVCOM (U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2023Bacteriophage development project for urinary tract infections (UTI) targeting E. coli in soldiers. Collaboration leverages iNtRON's bacteriophage technology for military healthcare applications. Featured in major news outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Clinical Trials Arena.
• Roivant SciencesflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 20 November 2018Global licensing agreement for SAL200, a novel investigational biologic for treatment of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci infections. Deal worth US$667.5M inclusive of milestone payments, with royalties on net sales in low double digits. Includes option for Roivant to license additional anti-Gram-positive endolysin programs (anti-VRE, anti-TB biologics) for up to US$45M each, and first right of offer for anti-Gram-negative platform. Roivant created dedicated subsidiary for global development and commercialization.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Locus Biosciences: Locus Biosciences develops engineered phage products using CRISPR-Cas3 payloads to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While focused more on engineered phage payloads than endolysins, it overlaps with iNtRON's IMPA platform's modular payload concept for dual-action antibacterial therapeutics.
• Eligo Bioscience: Eligo Bioscience develops engineered phages (eligobiotics) carrying CRISPR payloads to precisely edit microbiome gene expression. It is comparable to iNtRON's IMPA platform in pursuing programmable phage-based precision therapeutics, though with a different delivery mechanism.
• Micreos: Micreos develops endolysin-based products including Gladskin (over-the-counter endolysin for skin conditions) and food-safety phage products. While more commercial-stage and consumer-facing, it is comparable to iNtRON's endolysin and veterinary phage (SSL2200, EAL2200) product strategies.

Direct peers

• Adaptive Phage Therapeutics: Adaptive Phage Therapeutics is a clinical-stage phage therapy company focused on personalized phage treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, including a partnership with the US Department of Defense for military wound infections. It is a direct peer to iNtRON's bacteriophage programs including the US Army DEVCOM UTI project.
• ContraFect Corporation: ContraFect is a US-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing direct lytic agents (endolysins) for serious bacterial infections including MRSA bacteremia. It is the closest direct competitor to iNtRON's SAL200/itLysin platform and the most referenced endolysin peer in the AMR space.
• BiomX: BiomX is a clinical-stage microbiome company developing both natural and engineered phage cocktails for indications including inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer-associated bacteria. Its microbiome-phage approach for oncology and infectious diseases overlaps directly with iNtRON's PHAGERIA and TgC-Phage E programs.
• Armata Pharmaceuticals: Armata Pharmaceuticals develops engineered bacteriophage-based therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections, including Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Both Armata and iNtRON compete in phage/endolysin-based antimicrobial therapeutics, making Armata a direct modality peer.

Others

• Roivant Sciences: Roivant Sciences is the strategic licensing partner that signed the US$667.5M SAL200 deal with iNtRON in 2018. It is included as an ecosystem participant/customer rather than a competitor, but represents the most important commercial relationship for iNtRON's lead asset and a structural reference point for any future platform out-licensing transactions.

Regional players

• Pherecydes Pharma: Pherecydes Pharma is a French clinical-stage company developing phage therapy for resistant bacterial infections, including bone-and-joint and burn wound infections. It is a regional (European) phage therapy peer that competes in similar indications to some iNtRON programs.
• Seegene: Seegene is a major South Korean molecular diagnostics company specializing in multiplex PCR-based diagnostic kits, directly comparable to iNtRON's LiliF molecular diagnostic product line for infectious diseases. Same geography (Korea) and same core technology (PCR/qPCR diagnostics).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IntronB

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about iNtRON Biotechnology