A local biotech venture firm says it has succeeded in commercializing a side effect-free anti-cancer drug for the first time.

According to the Health Ministry, bio venture firm Creagene has received preliminary approval from the Korea Food and Drug Administration for its development of CreaVax-RCC, a medication to fight kidney cancer cells.

A three-year clinical test showed that the drug prevented cancer cells from growing further in 66 percent of kidney cancer patients tested in the terminal stage.

CreaVax-RCC is the first cancer cell killer to enter the market through domestic approval procedures.

The makers claim that the drug has fewer side effects than chemo and radiotherapy, as it is made of immune cells separated from the patient's own blood.