■Asterasis, a beauty medical device corporation, announced on the 15th that it recorded a subscription competition rate of 1,791.34 to 1 for general investors from the 14th to the 15th. The subscription deposit amounted to approximately 3.7596 trillion won. Earlier, the final public offering price was set at 4,600 won, the upper limit of the desired band. The company plans to use the public offering funds for expanding its production capacity (CAPA) in line with sales growth and for funding related to overseas expansion permits. In particular, it aims to maximize the export business results through permits in the U.S. market. Seo Eun-taek, CEO of Asterasis, said, "Through this listing, we will leap forward as a global innovative beauty medical device leader and drive the popularization of beauty medical devices."
■Senacle Soft announced on the 15th that it has added a function to link its cloud electronic chart service "Orum Chart" with the MyChart medical information exchange project of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Consequently, hospitals using Orum Chart can participate in the medical information exchange project to easily send and receive medical information during patient referrals and returns between base hospitals and secondary and tertiary medical institutions. This Orum Chart update was designed to enable all procedures to be processed within Orum Chart without accessing the review and evaluation agency's referral and return relay portal site, utilizing the Ministry's MyChart API. This will allow hospitals to handle patient medical information referrals and returns more efficiently. The company explained that the function to automatically calculate fees will reduce the burden on hospitals' billing operations.
■Seoul National University Bundang Hospital announced on the 15th that it has completed the construction of a dormitory and complex medical support facility "SNU House". This dormitory facility, which was expanded to 10 floors above the park parking lot located underground in the hospital area, consists of 126 single rooms and 133 double rooms, accommodating over 400 medical staff. Employee welfare facilities such as a fitness center, study rooms, community lounge, and daycare center will also be operated. The hospital stated, "Medical staff working in 24-hour shifts can commute on foot during times when public transport is not available," adding that it plans to use the space for international medical researchers visiting from around the world to stay and learn advanced surgical techniques.
■HLB Phanajin announced on the 15th that its independently developed "PanaMutifier EGFR" has received approval from the Malaysian Medical Device Authority (MDA). PanaMutifier EGFR is a product that can detect mutations such as lung cancer cells through liquid biopsy and was also approved in 2023 as an original companion diagnostic (CDx) item for the lung cancer treatment drug "Rezkraza" (ingredient name: Lazertinib) from Yuhan Corporation. HLB Phanajin is in discussions to cooperate with major hospitals in Malaysia to expand market share.
■The Korean Society of Mood Disorders announced on the 15th that Professor Park Won-myeong from the Department of Psychiatry at Catholic University Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital has been inducted into the "Hall of Fame" for the first time since the foundation of the society. Professor Park has actively conducted academic research and clinical activities in the field of mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, for over 30 years, contributing to the advancement of psychiatry in Korea. He developed the "Korean Bipolar Disorder Drug Treatment Algorithm and Guidelines" as the first in Korea and served as the lead author for the first textbook on depression and bipolar disorder in the country. He has published 692 academic papers in renowned domestic and international medical journals, of which 195 were SCI-level papers. In 2021, he received the "Green Cross Medal" from the Government of Korea and was selected as the "World's Leading Expert in Mood Disorders" by the medical research evaluation agency Expertscape in the same year.
■Professor Kim Dong-young from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Seoul National University Hospital has been inaugurated as the 14th president of the Korean Rhinologic Society. His term lasts two years, starting from January 1, 2025. The Korean Rhinologic Society was launched in 1990 to promote the development and research in the field related to nasal diseases and treatments and to encourage academic exchanges among its members. The new president revealed plans to expand international exchanges and cooperation with Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia and to host the international academic conference organized by the society in 2026 during his inauguration ceremony.
■DXVX announced on the 15th that it has completed the patent application for its self-developed GLP-1 derivative peptide injection candidate for obesity indications. This candidate is designed to activate both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors simultaneously, producing a synergistic effect due to the energy metabolism promotion action induced by glucagon, the company reported. Additionally, it has been designed to minimize the muscle loss side effect identified as a downside of existing GLP-1 treatments by adding muscle-enhancing peptides. DXVX plans to promptly conduct additional research and development, such as animal experiments and toxicity testing, and to begin preparations for entry into clinical trials.
■Online Farm, a healthcare distribution corporation under Hanmi Science, announced on the 15th the launch of two types of pharmacy-exclusive carbonated energy drinks: "Sparkling Premium Recipe" with caffeine and zero caffeine. According to the company, these products contain 2,000 mg of taurine, which is effective for relieving fatigue and energy metabolism, along with 500 mg of betaine and 500 mg of vitamin C. They are "zero sugar low-calorie" products using alternative sweeteners, containing about 18 kcal.
■Vivozon Group announced on the 15th that it has completed the construction of a logistics storage facility for Vivozon Pharmaceuticals. The new logistics storage facility, connected by a passage to the existing production building, was built with a total floor area of 780.11 square meters and three above-ground floors. It is equipped with advanced facilities for storing about 1,000 pallets. The company said it expects improved operational efficiency and cost savings. Meanwhile, Lee Du-hyun, chairman of Vivozon Group, expressed gratitude to all employees who participated in the product licensing of the non-narcotic painkiller "Anapra" during the New Year’s address following the completion ceremony.
■The PharmaResearch Cultural Foundation will host the 3rd Gangneung International Art Festival (GIAF25) from March 14 to April 20. Now in its third year, this event is one of the foundation's major cultural projects. The festival will take place across eight major locations in Gangneung, including Gangneung Station, Okcheon-dong Warehouse, and Gangneung Daedohobu Government Office. Domestic and international artists will showcase various exhibitions. Participating artists include Kim Jae-hyun, Seo Da-som, Ahn Min-ok, Yoon Seok-nam, Lee Yang-hee, Lee Hae-min-seon, Jeong Yeon-du, Kyi Warim, Plastique Fantastique, Ho Tzu Nyen, Hong Yi-hyun-sook, and Hrair Sarkissian.