Green Cross (South Korea)

Green Cross [녹십자; 綠十字] (KRX: 006280) is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Yongin, South Korea.

Green Cross specializes in the development and commercialization of vaccines, plasma-derivatives, recombinant proteins, and therapeutic antibodies for use in the fields of oncology and infectious disease.

Green Cross was established as "Sudo Microorganism Medical Supplies Co." in 1967, and changed the name to "Green Cross" in 1971. The company is engaged in research, development, manufacturing and sales of medicine and medical supplies, etc. Green Cross notably developed "Hepavax B", the world’s 3rd Hepatitis B vaccine in 1983, the world's first vaccine “Hantavax” against epidemic hemorrhagic fever in 1988, the world’s 2nd varicella vaccine in 1995, "Greengene", the world’s 4th recombinant drug for hemophilia A and the world's second treatment of Hunter syndrome “Hunterase” in 2012.

As part of Green Cross’s global strategies, there are two operations based in the overseas at the moment. GC China was established in Anhui Province, China and, has produced plasma derivative products. GC China has established a pharmaceutical wholesaler last year.

GCAM was established in December 2009 to secure plasma supply and enter into the US market. The company, currently runs a total of 11 plasma centers (San Bernardino, Calexico, Sacramento, Laredo, Eagle Pass, San Antonio, Leon Valley, Twin Falls, Pullman, Pasco, and Yakima), and collects 100,000 liters of plasma a year that meets FDA standards for facilities and quality and supplies it to Green Cross. GCAM will play a significant role for introducing Green Cross’s flagship products including IVIG in the US market in the near future.^[1]

Research & Development

Green Cross has invested 7-8% of its annual revenue in R&D, which is the highest level in the domestic market, and plans to gradually increase the ratio to over 10%.

History

2012 Signed a contract with the Thai Red Cross for blood fractionation drug factory project.

Developed Hunterase.

Declared New Vision 2012.

2011 Developed Shinbaro Capsule, new botanical drug.

2009 CEO Il-sup Huh became chairman.

Produced H1N1 vaccine: Secured vaccine sovereignty.

Completed Hwasun Factory, Korea’s only exclusive vaccine factory.

Completed Ochang Factory, a factory for cutting-edge blood derivatives and recombinant gene products.

2008 Developed Greengene, the world’s 4th recombinant drug for hemophilia A.

2001 Took over the SangA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

2000 Established a plant for Urokinase in North Korea.

1999 Completed construction of the new headquarters in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

1995 Completed a vaccine factory in Indonesia.

Established Green Cross China.

1993 Developed the world’s 2nd varicella vaccine.

1992 Young-sup Huh became CEO and chairman.

1990 Established Korea Hemophilia Foundation.

1988 Developed Hantavax, the world’s first epidemic hemorrhagic vaccine.

1987 Developed Korea’s first diagnostic reagent for AIDS.

1984 Established Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute.

1983 Developed Hepavax B, the world’s 3rd Hepatitis B vaccine.

1982 Developed IV-Globulin, an intravenous injection drug.

1982 Established Green Cross Labs.

1980 Completed the head office building of GC in Seocho-dong, Seoul.

1978 Opened IPO.

1974 Produced AHF, an antihemophilic factor.

1973 Produced the nation’s first Eurokinase.

1971 Produced the nation’s first blood fractionation drugs.

Changed the company name to Green Cross.

1967 Established Sudo Microorganism Medical Supplies Co.

Products

• Blood derivatives
• Vaccines
• Prescription drugs
• Over the counter drugs
• Healthcare food
• Cosmetics and other products

References