GenKOre

About GenKOre

GenKOre is a South Korean biotechnology firm that emerged as a spin-off from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB). The company was established by its founder and co-CEO, Yong-Sam Kim, with a founding year reported as both 2019 and 2020. GenKOre operates in the gene therapy market, concentrating on the development of treatments for a range of genetic conditions, including ocular, muscular, and neurological diseases.

The company's core asset is its proprietary gene-editing platform, TaRGET (Tiny nuclease/augment RNA-based Genome Editing Technology). This platform represents a significant advancement over the more widely known CRISPR-Cas9 technology because its entire editing module is compact enough to be delivered into the body using a single adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. The TaRGET platform encompasses several editing tools, such as TaRGET-cleavage, TaRGET-base editing, and systems for gene regulation and correction. This compact size and versatility address a key delivery challenge faced by larger gene-editing systems, opening up new possibilities for in vivo treatments.

GenKOre's business model is centered on leveraging its TaRGET platform through strategic collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. These collaborations aim to jointly develop and commercialize gene therapies. The company generates revenue through upfront payments, research funding, and milestone payments tied to the successful development and commercialization of therapies, in addition to future royalties on net sales. For instance, GenKOre has entered into agreements with undisclosed US-based pharmaceutical companies, with deals valued at up to $550 million. A notable collaboration with Revvity focuses on developing treatments for the ocular disorders Leber Congenital Amaurosis 10 (LCA10) and Usher Syndrome Type 2A (USH2A). Another partnership with Samyang Holdings is aimed at combining GenKOre's gene-editing tools with Samyang's SENS drug delivery system.