Humanity has relied on nature for sustenance and medicinal remedies to maintain life and cure diseases. Propheta develops new medicines using natural and low-side-effect ingredients. We focus on antibody development through research on cyclically occurring viruses.
Propheta ensures the highest standards of safety and infrastructure with WHO-GMP and EDQM approvals, offering the best opportunities to uphold a healthy lifestyle for humanity.
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The History of 'Medicine'
When did humanity begin developing and using medicines? The exact origins of medicine are not known, but it is believed to have evolved from the realization that some plants gathered directly from nature could be poisonous, while others had medicinal properties. Thus, the use of medicinal herbs (phytotherapy) emerged, where plants were consumed based on their effects on symptoms. Over time, this led to the extraction of medicinal components from medicinal plants, further advancing the field of medicine.
In the Western world, there are records of medications and prescriptions in the cuneiform tablets of the Sumerians around 4,000 years ago, and in the papyri of ancient Egyptians dating back to around 1550 BCE. In the Eastern world, the earliest documentation of herbal medicine is found in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
In summary, medicine originated from the use of medicinal plants and herbs, and until the 18th century, people consumed them either directly or after simple processing such as boiling and drying.
The Balance Between Safety and Efficacy
As the 20th century unfolded, the development of new drugs gained momentum, but there was still a shortage of variety and quantity compared to the demand for medications. Therefore, the emphasis was placed more on the efficacy of drugs rather than their safety. However, a tragic incident occurred when thalidomide, developed in Germany, was taken by pregnant women, resulting in the birth of babies with limb deformities, including missing limbs and hands attached to the shoulders.
Thalidomide had been promoted as a miraculous drug without side effects due to minimal adverse reactions observed in various animal experiments. It was primarily used in Germany and the UK before being introduced in more than 50 countries. However, in the 1960s, pregnant women who had taken this drug gave birth to children with deformities. In Germany alone, over 5,000 babies were affected, and the number exceeded 500 in the UK. Thalidomide-induced birth defects surpassed 10,000 cases in 46 countries. Consequently, thalidomide sales were halted, and it remains one of the most tragic cases in pharmaceutical history related to drug side effects.
This event prompted a shift in mindset, recognizing that safety should take precedence over efficacy when developing medications.
Efforts for Humanity in the 21st Century
Even in the present day, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies around the world are dedicating themselves to the development of new medications that will safeguard and maintain human health. When we examine the types of medications currently under development, it is evident that there is a significant focus on antibody development through cancer and virus research. Whenever the topic of medications is discussed, a common reminder is that even highly effective and beneficial drugs for treating diseases can become lethal poisons if used incorrectly. Just like most things in the world, the true usefulness of medications can be maximized when used appropriately and in the right manner.
Natural-Derived New Drug Development Status
Global Development Trends: The global natural-derived market, including pharmaceuticals and health functional foods, is estimated to be worth around 1,000 trillion won (Korean currency) with an annual growth rate of 8~10%. Both domestically and internationally, countries are showing initiatives to gain leadership in the natural-derived market. In the pharmaceutical sector, the market size and share of natural-derived products are still relatively small.
In the United States, it accounts for only 0.01% of the total pharmaceutical market, valued at 17.5 billion dollars, while in Europe, it is 1.1% worth 2.1 billion dollars. However, China leads the natural-derived market with the largest share, amounting to 23% with a market size of 18.6 billion dollars. Since the U.S. FDA established the natural-derived drug guideline in 2004, more than 400 natural-derived new drug candidates have applied for clinical trials in the United States.
Natural-Derived New Drug Development Future Directions
Looking back at the history of pharmaceutical development, it began with natural-derived compounds and evolved into small-molecule pharmaceuticals using organic synthesis techniques, followed by the emergence of high-molecular-weight pharmaceuticals employing biotechnology (biopharmaceuticals, antibody drugs, etc.). In recent times, active research is being conducted in gene therapy and regenerative medicine as well. In this historical context, there is a global movement valuing the diversity of chemical and biological entities found in natural-derived compounds as potential sources for new drug seeds. Beyond traditional natural-derived new drug development, innovative research in related fields, utilizing technological breakthroughs, and exploring the potential of natural compounds from a chemical and life sciences perspective are highly anticipated.
The current situation, where the possibility of natural-derived pharmaceuticals is being prominently recognized as a potential path for the domestic pharmaceutical industry, which has a strong focus on generic drugs, is highly welcomed. Natural-derived pharmaceuticals possess characteristics that make development relatively easier, have minimal side effects, and exhibit therapeutic efficacy and applicability well-suited to the changes in social environments. These features make natural-derived pharmaceuticals a promising opportunity for domestic pharmaceutical companies.