■Ildong Pharmaceutical stated on the 19th that it will supplement the clinical trial data for the oral antiviral drug 'ensitrelvir,' used for the treatment of COVID-19, and reapply. Ildong Pharmaceutical plans to add the results of the global clinical study 'SCORPIO-PEP,' conducted by Japan's Shionogi Pharmaceutical, which was recently completed for the post-exposure prophylaxis indication of ensitrelvir, to its application for product approval. Ildong Pharmaceutical intends to proceed with domestic approval procedures after securing new clinical data in line with Shionogi's global strategy for ensitrelvir, including pursuing approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). To this end, the company voluntarily withdrew its previous product approval application submitted to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. According to Ildong Pharmaceutical, the ongoing application for approval reflects two studies from the ensitrelvir clinical trial, namely 'SCORPIO-SR' and 'SCORPIO-HR.'
■HLB Therapeutics announced on the 19th that it has decided to issue free shares at the rate of 0.05 shares per common share. Following two years of stock dividends, this year the company is executing a shareholder return policy through virtually dividend-like free shares. The date of allocating new shares is set for January 15 of next year. The company explained that this free share issuance decision was made as it enters the final stages of the European Phase 3 clinical trial for a neurotrophic keratitis (NK) treatment. The dividends in the form of free shares can be distributed to shareholders more quickly than those from stock dividends, maximizing shareholder benefits.
■Celltrion announced on the 19th that it has won the Grand Prize in the pharmaceutical sector of the public and medical category at the 'Web Award Korea 2024.' This year marks the 21st edition of the Web Award Korea, an award for web evaluation organized by the Korea Internet Professionals Association (KIPFA), where over 4,000 expert evaluators select and award innovative and excellent websites. The awards are based on results from 18 evaluation criteria across six categories, including visual design, technology, and content. Celltrion received high acclaim for its website design and construction, which enhances user accessibility through a renewal project. In particular, its intuitive user interface (UI) demonstrating the company's vision and slogan, as well as its unique strength in integrated development, production, and sales, was recognized.
■Metabia, a subsidiary of Dong-A ST, announced on the 19th that it has confirmed the efficacy and safety of 'DA-1241,' which is being developed as a treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASH), in the topline data of its global Phase 2 clinical trial. The global Phase 2 trial of DA-1241 was conducted in two parts: Part 1 evaluates efficacy and safety, and Part 2 confirms the efficacy and safety of the combination of DA-1241 and sitagliptin. The primary endpoint of the ALT level showed a statistically significant decrease in MASH patients at weeks 4 and 8, and a result close to statistically significant reduction was observed at week 16. Meaningful results were also obtained in the secondary endpoints. The combination group of DA-1241 100 mg and sitagliptin 100 mg showed significant improvement in the CAP score compared to the placebo.
■Handok announced on the 19th that it has expanded its product lineup with the launch of the banana-flavored specialized medical purpose food, Elemental028 Extra, for patients with Crohn's disease. This new product is characterized by the addition of banana flavor, widening the options available for patients. Elemental028 Extra is available in three types: banana, orange, and unflavored, allowing for a variety of flavors to choose from based on preference. Elemental028 Extra is a balanced nutritional product developed by Nutricia, a subsidiary of the global food company Danone, and is officially imported and sold in Korea by Handok. Elemental028 Extra contains a balanced mixture of amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Its amino acid formula allows for quick digestion and absorption, making it suitable for patients as a sole source of nutrition or nutritional supplement.
■HK Inno.N announced on the 19th that it has delivered a total of 100 million won in scholarships to children with diabetes and organ donor children through its step donation campaign 'Step for Inno.N.' Since 2021, a total of 179 children, including organ donor children and children with diabetes and obesity, have been supported through seven step donations. The scholarships provided will be used for the educational support of children with diabetes and children of organ donors. The company conducted its seventh step donation campaign 'Step for Inno.N' in collaboration with Love's Fruit, the Korea Organ Donation Agency, the National Organ and Blood Management Agency, and medical institutions for organ transplantation for one month starting from November 1. This campaign was planned to raise social awareness of organ donation and highlight its importance.
■Genolution announced on the 19th that it has obtained certification as a genetic testing institution. This certification solidifies Genolution's position in the domestic and international diagnostics markets, which are foundational for its precision medicine business. The certification is essential for providing genetic testing services based on human-derived materials to customers and medical institutions. Genetic testing services enable personalized medical services based on individual genetic traits and play a crucial role in early disease detection and prevention. Genolution aims to provide high-quality genetic testing services through this certification and establish a foundation for further collaboration with medical institutions.
■InBody, a global healthcare corporation, announced on the 19th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pusan National University for joint research to establish a smart healthcare service for body composition self-management and to foster talents. Through this agreement, InBody and Pusan National University will intensify their industry-academic collaboration activities, focusing on developing a homecare solution capable of early evaluation and management of lymphedema, utilizing the InBody home body water measurement device BWA ON installed at Pusan National University’s Glocal Clinical Trial Center. Both institutions plan to lead the development of the domestic homecare market and create new business models in the smart healthcare sector.
■Genexine announced on the 19th that it has been selected as a 'family-friendly certified corporation' by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. The family-friendly certification system is an initiative to create a family-friendly social environment where employees can harmoniously balance their home and work lives. Every year, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family awards this certification to corporations and institutions that exemplary operate family-friendly programs, including support for childbirth and parenting as well as flexible working systems, after a rigorous evaluation process. Genexine was highly regarded for its introduction and active implementation of various systems that can provide substantial support for a family-friendly workplace culture promoting work-life balance.
■Cejimedtech, a specialized company in the research and manufacturing of orthopedic implants, announced on the 19th that it has obtained product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for 'Novocis Trauma,' the next-generation fracture treatment solution. Cejimedtech, a subsidiary of the bio-regenerative medicine specialist Cejibio, is expanding its business from its traditional focus on spinal treatment products into the fracture treatment sector. The newly approved Novocis Trauma functions as a bone substitute that promotes regeneration and healing in fracture treatments, effectively addressing acute fractures and areas of bone loss. It is particularly suitable for treating fractures resulting in bone loss of 5 cm or less from acute limb fractures.
■Doctor Now, the leading non-face-to-face medical consultation platform in Korea, announced on the 19th that it will transition from a co-CEO system to a sole CEO system with Jeong Jin-woong. Doctor Now sees 2025 as the year of launching its next vision and plans to maximize business growth under the new system. Jeong Jin-woong joined Doctor Now as a strategic director in October 2022 and later served as the chief strategy officer, promoting management efficiency through the restructuring of the business and organization around the pilot program for non-face-to-face medical consultations. Prior to joining Doctor Now, he worked at global investment bank Morgan Stanley, providing advisory on various mergers and acquisitions (M&A) projects, including the sale of Delivery Hero’s delivery platform Yogiyo and the 400 billion won investment attraction for JTBC Studios (now Studio LuluLala Central).