On November 5, Korea University Medical Center (KUMC) signed an MOU with Huons in Seongbuk-gu for joint research on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and antiviral drugs. Huons is expected to re-create drugs by converting “Zephirus”, an inhalation capsule, into a COVID- 19 treatment through the research with KUMC, which possesses research facilities and teams specializing in viral diseases.

 Huons holds an exclusive domestic license on Zephirus, a combination of an inhalation-type corticosteroid(ICS) that relieves lung inflammation and Salmetol which promotes a bronchial dilation effect. Direct treatment on the lungs through the inhalation drugs will produce prompt drug effects, and reduce side effects, as the drugs are not absorbed in digestive organs. Fueled by these features, Zephirus will be the key to an effective cure to COVID-19-infected lungs and bronchial tubes.

 In addition, Huons plans to conduct research on “10 kinds of antiviral substances” with KUMC to focus on developing new antiviral drugs. Um Ki-an, the head of Huons, stated that there are possibilities for new infectious disease virus to occur, and Huons will preemptively respond to such a new pandemic outbreak. Professor Kim Byeong-Jo (College of Medicine), the head of KUMC, also stated that they are pleased to cooperate with the global healthcare company Huons.