Osong Headquarters of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Courtesy of MFDS)

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 27th that it has proposed revisions to the 'Hygiene Product Labeling Standards' and 'Hygiene Product Standards and Specifications' to strengthen safety management for newly categorized hygiene products, including oral care items and tattoo dyes. Before the implementation of the 'Hygiene Product Management Act' on June 14 next year, the revision will introduce labeling standards to ensure consumer safety and choice for oral care products, such as interdental brushes and dental floss, indicating that they are hygiene products and detailing usage instructions and age recommendations. Tattoo dyes will also need to display indications of being hygiene products, along with usage instructions and expiration dates. Additionally, information that must be labeled, according to the area of the display surface, will need to be displayed in Korean font size 7 points or larger, while other hygiene product-related information can be provided in attached documents.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare approved a proposal at the 25th Health Insurance Policy Review Committee meeting on the 27th to expand the scope of health insurance coverage for materials used in dental implant procedures. As a result of this committee decision, the range of dental implant materials eligible for health insurance will be broadened. Currently, health insurance applies to dental implants only for patients aged 65 and over who have partial edentulous status (missing some teeth) and where non-precious metal restorations (PFM crowns) are performed using separate implant materials within the jawbone, covering a maximum of two implants per person.

Huons announced on the 27th that it has become the first pharmaceutical company to receive the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Community Contribution Recognition System' for the sixth consecutive time and has been praised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as an excellent organization for public-private cooperation. This year, Huons successfully implemented CSR programs centered on three key themes: community coexistence, health care development, and contributions to culture and arts, including public-private collaboration welfare projects, employee volunteer activities, blood donation campaigns, health care award ceremonies, and social contribution concerts.

Huons Meditech, a medical device company under Huons Group, announced on the 27th that the cumulative sales of its drug delivery device, 'Derma Shine,' have exceeded 20,000 units since its launch. According to Huons Meditech, the Derma Shine product line, which includes Derma Shine, Derma Shine Balance, and Derma Shine Pro, has seen sales of over 7,000 units in the domestic market across dermatology, plastic surgery, and private practices. In the overseas market, it has established itself as a leading global brand in drug delivery devices, recording sales of over 13,000 units mainly in China and Southeast Asia.

D&D Pharmatech announced on the 27th that it has completed the registration of a new use patent in Europe for its candidate treatment TLY012 for systemic sclerosis. This new patent is a use patent for TLY012 aimed at treating systemic sclerosis in the European region (EP). TLY012, which the company is developing, is a recombinant protein drug in the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) family, which selectively acts on the DR5 receptors of myofibroblasts, known to be a common underlying cause of various fibrosis conditions. This characteristic allows TLY012 to selectively induce apoptosis only in fibrotic tissues without affecting normal cells.

Pharma Research announced on the 27th that it will begin confirmatory clinical trials for its next-generation PN (polydeoxyribonucleotide sodium) knee joint injection ‘NPNP-001’ starting in January next year. Confirmatory clinical trials are conducted to collect statistically significant evidence of the safety and efficacy of medical devices. This clinical trial will be conducted at seven hospitals, including Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, targeting 260 patients with knee osteoarthritis, focusing on demonstrating the pain-reducing effects and safety of the treatment.

STCube announced on the 27th that it will participate in the 'JP Morgan Healthcare Conference' from January 13 to 16 next year, and in the 'ASCO GI (American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium)' from January 23 to 25, the most influential global conference in the field of gastrointestinal cancers. The company plans to present two research abstracts on Nelmastobart (hSTC810) at ASCO GI 2025. Nelmastobart is an immune checkpoint inhibitor candidate targeting BTN1A1. Chief Scientific Officer Yoo Seung-han will present findings that suggest BTN1A1-targeted therapy may enhance the immunotherapy response in colorectal cancer.

Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital announced on the 27th that it has been designated as an emergency medical center in the southern Gyeonggi province for the year 2024. The emergency medical center operates to efficiently distribute severe emergency patients and provide prompt final treatment. The Ministry of Health and Welfare evaluated personnel composition and medical capacity among regional emergency medical centers to designate a total of 23 centers, including Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital. Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital's emergency medical center has consistently achieved excellent results, ranking first among regional emergency medical centers in the nationwide emergency medical institution evaluation in 2021. It has operated a 24-hour specialist-centered treatment system since its opening and has established negative-pressure isolation rooms and a patient classification system based on severity to respond to emerging infectious diseases, along with regular training exercises.

Hallym University Ansan Hospital announced on the 27th that it has signed a multilateral business agreement for advanced medical joint research with Gumi Electronic Information Technology Institute and L.M.K. Gumi Electronic Information Technology Institute, established in 2004, is a support organization for electronic and information technology that serves as a hub for innovation in the digital electronic information communication industry. L.M.K is a developer of biosensors that can detect mental disorders dynamically. Through this agreement, the three institutions will promote advanced medical joint research and the development of solutions in the fields of smart healthcare and precision medicine. They will conduct joint research on the rapid diagnosis biosensor platform for mental disorders and high-risk pregnant women, clinical evaluations, the development of stem cell growth-promoting plates for cell monitoring, and clinical evaluations related to drug screening platforms, as well as joint research on advanced materials and components in the electronic and bio fields based on plasma coating technology.