The Center for Memory and Glioscience, led by Director C Justin LEE, has transferred patent technology related to a pharmaceutical composition and saponin derivatives for the prevention and treatment of enveloped viruses to the biotechnology company BasileBio Co., Ltd. (CEO YOO Sungjin). A technology transfer agreement signing ceremony was held on March 6 at the IBS headquarters in Daejeon.

▲ IBS Center for Memory and Glioscience held a technology transfer agreement signing ceremony with BasileBio Co., Ltd. on March 5. From left: C Justin LEE, Director of the IBS Center for Memory and Glioscience, and YOO Sungjin, CEO of BasileBio Co., Ltd.

The transferred technology was developed through research on coronavirus infection mechanisms conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic by the IBS Center for Memory and Glioscience (formerly Center for Cognition and Sociality). The research led to the development of a new antiviral strategy capable of effectively blocking the cellular entry of enveloped viruses.

The research team discovered that platycodin D, a triterpenoid saponin abundantly found in the traditional medicinal and edible plant balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), inhibits a key step in viral infection—the membrane fusion between virus and host cell. Specifically, platycodin D interferes with the membrane fusion process that occurs after the viral spike protein binds to receptors on host cells, thereby preventing viral RNA from entering the cell. Unlike many existing antiviral drugs that target specific pathways, this mechanism is distinctive in that it directly blocks a critical step in the viral entry process.

Based on these findings, the research team secured patent technologies related to “a pharmaceutical composition containing balloon flower extract for the prevention and treatment of enveloped viruses” and “triterpenoid saponin derivatives for the prevention and treatment of enveloped viruses.” This technology has the potential to be expanded into a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy applicable not only to coronaviruses but also to other enveloped viruses such as influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As a result, it is expected to have significant value as a technology for responding to future infectious disease outbreaks.

BasileBio Co., Ltd. is a biotechnology company focused on developing natural product–based pharmaceuticals and novel biomaterials. Through this technology transfer, the company plans to pursue lead compound optimization and clinical development based on the balloon flower saponin–based antiviral technology developed by IBS researchers.

IBS researchers and BasileBio will conduct joint research based on the technology transfer, including efforts to enhance the antiviral activity of saponin derivatives, optimize drug candidates, perform animal efficacy testing and preclinical studies, and ultimately develop preventive and therapeutic agents against enveloped virus infections. In particular, the collaboration aims to develop a broad-spectrum antiviral platform technology by leveraging the safety and structural properties of natural product–derived compounds.

Director C Justin LEE stated, “Through this technology transfer, we expect that natural product–based antiviral research will lead to the development of actual therapeutics and contribute to addressing infections caused by various enveloped viruses.”