Hyundai Bioscience, a biotechnology company based in South Korea, is set to embark on global clinical development for a Dengue antiviral candidate with the aim of securing emergency use authorization. The CEO of Hyundai Bioscience, Oh Sang-gi, revealed plans to conduct clinical tests targeting all serotypes of the Dengue virus.

The key strategy in combating Dengue fever, according to CEO Oh, is the early administration of an antiviral drug that is effective against all four serotypes of the virus. To achieve emergency use authorization, the company intends to conduct basket clinical trials in regions like Mid/South America and Southeast Asia.

With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually being controlled, there has been a surge in Dengue fever cases globally. In 2024, the number of Dengue patients in the Americas has reached 3.58 million, a significant increase from the previous year. Countries like Thailand and Malaysia have also reported notable Dengue cases.

Despite the rising cases, there is currently no specific treatment for Dengue fever, a viral infection that was first identified in 1953. The complexity of developing Dengue drugs lies in the need for them to be effective against all four Dengue serotypes, each with distinct genetic characteristics and potential clinical outcomes.

Individuals who recover from one Dengue serotype are not immune to the others, increasing the risk of severe Dengue complications upon subsequent infections. Moreover, the timing of antiviral administration is crucial, as the virus rapidly escalates within days of symptom onset, leading to severe cellular damage and potential complications like hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia.

The global effort to combat Dengue fever has been hindered by the lack of effective treatments over the past seven decades. However, Hyundai Bioscience’s initiative to conduct extensive clinical trials marks a significant step towards addressing the urgent need for a Dengue antiviral solution.