Protect Biotech, a company specializing in the development of new veterinary drugs, announced on July 7 that it has submitted its application earlier this month and aims to list on the Emerging Stock Board in early August. General Manager Haolin Sung stated that the company is focusing on three major categories of pet medications—cancer treatment, heart disease treatment, and autoimmune therapies. Its lead development product, PT001, which targets melanoma, is currently undergoing field trial application. Following its launch in Taiwan, the company plans to expand into international markets.
At a media briefing on July 7, Haolin Sung shared that the largest external shareholder of Protect Biotech is PanChong Biopharmaceuticals, affiliated with the family of Ting-Wu Hu. Other external investors include First Financial Venture Capital, CTBC Securities Investment Trust, Fubon Securities, Best Leader Venture Capital, and Fuyau Fund. Sung also revealed that Protect Biotech completed a merger with MooTen Biotech through a stock swap in March of this year.
According to Sung, there are currently two major pain points in the pet healthcare industry: the lack of dedicated medications and insufficient innovation. Over 95% of drugs used in veterinary treatment are repurposed human medications with adjusted dosages, rather than being specifically designed for dogs and cats. Additionally, innovation in veterinary pharmaceuticals globally lags far behind that of human medicine.
Protect Biotech’s current pipeline includes PT001, PT401 for treating canine heart disease, and PT002 for cancer treatment in dogs and cats—all of which were acquired through international licensing agreements. PT001 is already in the field trial application stage, PT401 has entered preliminary field testing, and GMP production has begun. In addition, Protect is independently developing PT302, PT303, and PT304, all targeting autoimmune-related conditions.
Sung emphasized that PT001 is the company’s fastest-moving development candidate. According to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, approximately 50% of dogs over the age of 10 develop some form of cancer, making it the leading cause of death among canines. The field trials for PT001 are equivalent to Phase III clinical trials in human drug development. PT401 is a gene therapy product aimed at treating heart disease in dogs, particularly small breeds over 10 years old, which have a 30–40% incidence rate. Other pipeline products include targeted therapies for autoimmune diseases.
Protect Biotech is building a dual-engine strategy consisting of both licensing and in-house development. It is actively seeking suitable product lines globally for licensing and co-development. Its first product, a cancer vaccine, was licensed from academic institutions in Taiwan and is being co-developed in both Taiwan and the United States, with the global market as its long-term goal. The second product, a gene therapy drug, is being co-developed with a U.S. partner, with development and market rollout planned in Asia.
Beyond new drug development, Protect Biotech’s subsidiary MountainVet Biotech is also entering the fields of regenerative medicine and diagnostics, including pet stem cell therapies and wellness products. The company currently collaborates with more than 200 pet product retailers and over 900 veterinary clinics.
Resource: 寶泰目標8月初登興櫃 鎖定三大寵物新藥攻國際市場
