[Yu Jin-hee, Edaily Reporter] As Vietnam declares a "war" on dengue fever, South Korean biotech firm Hyundai Bioscience has emerged as a critical "relief pitcher" in the global health arena.

Following a massive surge in dengue cases across Vietnam since the latter half of last year, the nation faces a pandemic level health emergency. With no globally approved antiviral treatments currently available healthcare providers have been forced to rely primarily on symptomatic therapies like fever reducers. In this vacuum, Hyundai Bioscience’s universal antiviral strategy is drawing intense international attention.

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Declaring a "Universal Treatment Hub" with Vietnam's NHTD

According to industry sources on the 4th, Hyundai Bioscience, in collaboration with the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD) and Vietnamese health authorities will host a ceremony to mark the launch of the global Phase 2·3 clinical trial for its dengue and similar disease treatment.

The event is scheduled for the 5th (local time) at the Grand Ballroom of the Lotte Hotel Hanoi Convention Center. The event is seen as more than a mere announcement it signals Vietnam's strategic ambition to become a central hub for infectious disease response in Southeast Asia.

The significance of the trial is underscored by the high profile Vietnamese attendees Tran Thi Trung Chien: Former Minister of Health and Senior Health Advisor. Nguyen Chi Thuc Vice Minister of Health. Vu Chien Thang Vice Minister of Home Affairs.

Nguyen Thi Xuyen President of the Vietnam Medical Association. Ta Manh Hung Deputy Director General of the Drug Administration of Vietnam. These key health administration figures are expected to pledge their trust and support for Hyundai Bioscience's initiative.

The exceptional support from Vietnamese authorities stems from the catastrophic scale of the local dengue outbreak. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and local media confirmed dengue cases in 2025 have spiked compared to previous years. In Tay Ninh Province cumulative cases exceeded 11,600, a 4.8 fold increase year on year. Epidemiologists warn that one in 20 dengue patients progresses to severe illness with children facing a five times higher risk than adults.

Hyundai Bioscience stands out due to its differentiated technology and rapid development pace. The company possesses a universal antiviral platform based on a proprietary Drug Delivery System (DDS).

Unlike traditional antivirals that target specific viral proteins making them vulnerable to mutations Hyundai’s lead asset, Xafty (CP-COV03), utilizes a host directed mechanism that activates the cell's autophagy (self-eating) process to suppress viral replication.

Development is moving quickly the company aims to enter clinical trials this month complete them within the year and target commercialization by next year. While global giants like Japan’s Shionogi and U.S. based MSD are also exploring dengue candidates industry experts widely consider Hyundai Bioscience’s pipeline to be the most advanced in terms of clinical stage and universal applicability.




Preparing for the Next Pandemic Beyond Dengue

The Vietnam trial is designed not just for dengue but as a proactive measure against future pandemics. It follows a "Basket Trial" strategy where Part 1 evaluates efficacy in dengue patients, and Part 2 expands indications to include other Flaviviruses such as Zika and Influenza. This strategic design is backed by Hyundai Bioscience’s global credibility.

The company became the first Korean firm to be a full member of the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) under the U.S. Department of Defense. This membership implies that Xafty is considered a "strategic asset" capable of immediate deployment in the event of biological threats or new pandemic outbreaks.

Chin Hwan Jeong, Vice President of Hyundai Bioscience, plans to present a new health paradigm at the event. "Following the 'one disease at a time' approach will always leave us trailing behind viruses"

he emphasized. "Xafty, which targets common mechanisms, is the only alternative that can fill the critical '100 day gap' during the initial stages of a pandemic when vaccines are unavailable."

Hyundai Bioscience plans to apply for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in Vietnam as soon as efficacy is confirmed in Part 1 of the trial. Simultaneously, the company aims to solidify its position as a global standard treatment provider through its AIR-V Respiratory Basket Trial (Phase 2) currently underway in the United States.If realized, Xafty has significant potential to become a blockbuster drug.

The dengue treatment market alone, which currently lacks a definitive drug, is substantial. Health experts, including those from the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), estimate that a commercialized dengue antiviral could have a market impact of approximately $3.8 billion (5 trillion KRW) annually. With dengue expanding into new regions due to the climate crisis, the market potential continues to grow.

"The dengue and similar disease trials starting in Vietnam are not just research; they are the starting point for a new way to respond to future pandemics"

Vice President Jeong stressed. "By completing this we will demonstrate that a Korean company can lead the world in solving infectious disease challenges and realize the dream of a blockbuster drug."