INCHEON, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celltrion Group today announced its successful transition to the second phase of development for an antiviral treatment to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, following the completion of the first phase of securing 300 different types of antibodies that bind to the antigen last month. The library of antibodies was created using the blood of recovered patients in Korea. In cooperation with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Celltrion will be screening the antibodies to find the ones most effective in neutralising SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Celltrion anticipates the candidate screening for the therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) will be complete by mid-April, sooner than originally expected. Ki-Sung Kwon, Head of R&D Unit at Celltrion said, ?Once we have selected the one that most effectively neutralizes the COVID-19 virus among hundreds of the screened antibodies, we will roll out mass production of the therapeutic antibody treatment, with a view to starting human trials this July. Due to the urgent need for a COVID-19 antiviral treatment, we have expedited the overall development process of our antiviral therapy to help infected patients fight this emerging virus and halt further spread of the disease.?

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Notes to Editors: About Celltrion Healthcare Celltrion Healthcare is committed to delivering innovative and affordable medications to promote patients? access to advanced therapies. Its products are manufactured at state-of-the-art mammalian cell culture facilities, designed and built to comply with the US FDA cGMP and the EU GMP guidelines. Celltrion Healthcare endeavours to offer high-quality cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information please visit:?https://www.celltrionhealthcare.com/en-us About COVID-19¹ Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses that lead to illnesses from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the disease COVID-19, this new strain, discovered in 2019, is behind the ongoing pandemic outbreak. Common signs of COVID-19 include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, infection can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and ultimately death. Please find up to date information about the outbreak via the World Health Organization at?https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare that may constitute forward-looking statements, under pertinent securities laws. These statements may be identified by words such as ?prepares?, ?hopes to?, ?upcoming?, ?plans to?, ?aims to?, ?to be launched?, ?is preparing, ?once gained?, ?could?, ?with the aim of?, ?may?, ?once identified?, ?will?, ?working towards?, ?is due?, ?become available?, ?has potential to?, the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In addition, our representatives may make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare's management, of which many are beyond its control. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management?s beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management?s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. References ¹?Coronavirus.?World Health Organization. Available at:?https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus?Last accessed: April 2020