'Disease X' Fears Boost K-Bio[K-Bio pulse]

[Seungkwon Kim, Edaily Reporter] On May 20, South Korean bio and healthcare stocks rallied strongly driven by global Hantavirus fears and expectations for new infectious disease countermeasures.

Eyegene led the surge, hitting near the daily upper limit after securing a government mRNA vaccine project. GC Medical Science also spiked over 28%, while surgical robot maker LivsMed gained 11% ahead of its new product launch.

Eyegene trend on May 20.(Image=Naver Finance)

◇Eyegene, Tapped for Gov't Hantavirus mRNA Vaccine

Eyegene surged 29.8% to close at 2,235won. The jump followed its selection for two KDCA-backed national mRNA vaccine projects for Hantavirus and SFTS, securing 4 billionwon in state funding. Utilizing its proprietary, patent-free "Cap-less" mRNA platform, Eyegene aims to develop a universal Hantavirus vaccine.

Backed by its largest shareholder's GMP facility, the company is well positioned for immediate mass production and aims to achieve First in Class status globally amid rising pandemic threats.

GC Medical Science trend on May 20.(Image=Naver Finance)

◇GC Medical Science, Surges on Infection Diagnostics Demand

GC Medical Science rocketed 28.2% to 6,230won. As a subsidiary of the GC Green Cross Group which commercialized the world's first Hantavirus vaccine GC Medical Science benefited from a sector wide rally fueled by global "Disease X" and Hantavirus fears.

Although it does not directly produce a specific Hantavirus test kit, investors heavily priced in the group's strong bio security brand power and anticipated growth in broader diagnostic demands.

LivsMed trend on May 20.(Image=Naver Finance)

◇LivsMed, 1000 IP Milestone and Upcoming 'STARK' Launch

LivsMed climbed 11.3% to 63,000won, driven by its announcement of surpassing 1,000 intellectual property (IP) cases. With an average remaining patent life of 17 years, the company has secured a robust barrier for its core multi joint technologies.

Investor anticipation is also building for the May 26 unveiling of its next-generation laparoscopic surgical robot "STARK™" which is poised to drive mid to long term growth and offset recent seasonal earnings volatility.