GC Cell announced it has signed an agreement with China’s Nanjing IASO Biotechnology to bring the company’s CAR-T therapy, Fucaso (equecabtagene autoleucel), to Korea for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
The agreement aims to offer Korean patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma a new treatment option. GC Cell intends to seek regulatory approval and gradually launch Fucaso, underscoring its commitment to expanding cell therapy options domestically.
Multiple myeloma is a challenging hematologic cancer marked by frequent relapse, primarily affecting older adults. In Korea, the patient count grows alongside the aging population, while treatment options remain limited by drug resistance and the lack of therapies for heavily pretreated patients. Although certain combination therapies have recently received reimbursement, late-stage patients still encounter barriers due to high costs and restricted CAR-T infrastructure.
Fucaso is a BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy developed by IASO Biotech. Approved in China in June 2023, it is now prescribed to local patients. With its competitive pricing, the treatment is expected to greatly improve access for patients requiring advanced care.
GC Cell began preparing for Fucaso’s launch earlier this year, securing orphan drug status from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in July and fast-track designation as an advanced biopharmaceutical product in August. The company said it will build a robust supply chain to ensure timely and affordable patient access once approved.
“This agreement marks an important first step for GC Cell as a leading Korean cell therapy company to lay the foundation for CAR-T commercialization,” GC Cell CEO Won Sung-yong said. “We will focus on stabilizing the supply chain to ensure that patients can receive this treatment opportunity at a more reasonable cost.”
IASO Biotech CEO Jinhua Zhang stated, “This partnership represents a significant milestone in IASO Biotech’s global strategy.”
It not only highlights Fucaso’s global potential but also uses GC Cell’s strengths to bring new treatments to Korean patients, Zhang added.
