CHA Biotech selected for South Korean K-HERO R&D project

CHA Biotech has been selected for the 2026 K-HERO Fostering and Support Project, an R&D initiative led by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and managed by the Korea Industrial Technology Association. The program aims to support corporate research institutes in securing core technologies and expanding into global markets.

Through this project, CHA Biotech will receive 3.15 billion KRW over 3.5 years to develop and commercialize a next-generation cell and gene therapy platform. The company plans to integrate its standardized raw cell platform, CHAMS, with its CHAGE platform, which enhances cell function through combined gene expression.

A primary focus of the research is CHAGE-201, a therapeutic candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company intends to verify the efficacy and mechanism of CHAGE-201, establish chemical, manufacturing, and control (CMC) systems, and secure the necessary data to apply for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in South Korea. The company aims to eventually expand this platform to treat neurological and autoimmune diseases.