Kaneka Eurogentec joins the production of a DNA vaccine for the novel coronavirus

Kaneka Eurogentec S.A. (Headquarters: Liège, Belgium; President: Lieven Janssens), an affiliate of Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Minoru Tanaka), will join the task force led by Takara Bio Inc.
(Headquarters: Kusatsu-shi, Shiga; President: Koichi Nakao) that will aim to mass produce a DNA vaccine^*1 for the novel coronavirus, which is being developed by AnGes Inc. (Headquarters: Ibaraki-shi, Osaka; President: Ei Yamada) and Osaka University, among other institutions.

This vaccine has been developed based on the experience of plasmid DNA^*2 drug development conducted by Osaka University and AnGes Inc. Its clinical trials began on June 30, 2020, and the development is moving fast towards practical usage. Kaneka Eurogentec has agreed to produce plasmid DNA for its vaccine using their world-class technology in plasmid DNA.
Furthermore, as per a request from the Belgian government, Kaneka Eurogentec has already begun supplying PCR reagents for use in coronavirus tests.

Through manufacturing vaccines with the advanced technologies, such as mRNA^*3 and plasmid DNA, developing antivirus drugs, and supplying medical devices, Kaneka will put in every effort to provide solutions to the coronavirus crisis for worldwide health.

1. A vaccine whereby introducing into the body plasmid DNA encoded with proteins from a part of the targeted pathogens (without using any dangerous pathogens), the proteins are produced within the body, giving immunity against said pathogens.
2. A general term for circular DNA molecules that exist outside the nucleus of bacteria such as E. coli and yeast, and that are passed down to daughter cells through cell division. It is conventionally used in processes for producing biopharmaceuticals such as therapeutic proteins and has been applied to genetic medicines and vaccines in recent years.
3. An RNA molecule that is transcribed genetic information of protein synthesis from DNA. It is expected to be used as vaccines and therapeutics.