■JEIL PHARMACEUTICAL's new drug subsidiary Onconic Therapeutics announced on the 24th that it has submitted a permit application to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to expand the treatment target of its gastroesophageal reflux disease drug 'Zacubo' to gastric ulcers. Known as a 'third-generation gastric drug', Zacubo is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) that received approval last April as a new treatment for erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Its treatment mechanism reversibly blocks the proton pump that secretes gastric acid, which is noted for its rapid onset of action and strong persistence. It can be taken regardless of meal times. In the phase 3 clinical trial involving 329 gastric ulcer patients, Zacubo demonstrated an excellent treatment performance with a 100% cumulative treatment rate over the primary evaluation index of 8 weeks.
■Hanmi Science announced on the 24th that its 'Complete Soy Milk Black High Calcium 3 Series', which applies the 'patented method for complete soy milk', has surpassed a production of 16 million packs in just one year since its launch. The company aims to expand customer contact points and diversify sales channels as a result. The 'Complete Soy Milk Black' series, introduced in January last year, consists of three varieties: complete soy milk black bean high calcium, complete soy milk black bean 17 grains high calcium, and complete soy milk black bean black sesame high calcium. Hanmi Science has recently entered NS Home Shopping and is feeling its popularity. In February, it will collaborate with Hyundai Home Shopping. From February 1 to 13, it will have a broadcast featuring all three items at once, and advance orders will also be possible on the Hyundai Home Shopping online mall.
■CLASSYS announced on the 24th that its HIFU beauty medical device Shrink Universe has been selected as the top brand in the skin beauty medical device sector at the 'Hall of Fame of Brands in South Korea' awards ceremony. Shrink Universe has been ranked first in the same field again in 2024, winning for two consecutive years. Now in its 9th year, the Hall of Fame of Brands in South Korea is organized by the Industrial Policy Research Institute (IPS) and sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Brands preferred by consumers over the past year are selected based on evaluations of business performance, brand value, customer satisfaction, and marketing communication. Shrink Universe is a device for brow lifting and wrinkle improvement that utilizes high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy. Since its launch in 2021, over 6,000 units have been sold in South Korea. It has also expanded into Brazil, Japan, Thailand, and Europe.
■CHOA PHARMACEUTICAL announced on the 24th that it has launched 'Melatonin', which contains liposome plant-based melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that induces high-quality sleep, and its secretion decreases with age. Melatonin contains 100% plant-based melatonin obtained from Montmorency tart cherry single extract, and the liposome method enhances absorption in the body. It also includes 15 other ingredients that enhance sleep health, such as quercetin, which has allergy reaction suppression effects, bromelain, which helps the absorption of quercetin to improve bioavailability, and theanine and GABA, which alleviate stress and aid in restful sleep, along with L-tryptophan, vitamin B6, magnesium, and sea tangle extract.
■Biotech regeneration medical company Cijibio announced on the 24th that it has signed an industry-academic cooperation agreement with the Biomedical Engineering Research Institute at Universitas Indonesia (UI). This agreement aims to establish a medical industry ecosystem using local resources and talents, focusing on advanced research for medical device development and enhancing global competitiveness. Cijibio plans to pursue a sustainable cooperation model that spans from the development of materials for medical devices to commercialization, utilizing Indonesia's abundant material resources and excellent human resources.
■Neurofit, a specialist in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for brain disease imaging, announced on the 24th that it will participate in the international medical device exhibition 'Arab Health 2025' held at the Dubai World Trade Center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 27th to the 30th. Neurofit will set up a booth at Arab Health for the first time and plans to promote the competitiveness of its major products related to AI-based brain disease imaging analysis, along with meeting with potential global clients. The company plans to showcase brain imaging analysis products, including software for monitoring the effectiveness and side effects of dementia treatments called 'Neurofit Aqua AD' and brain nerve degeneration imaging analysis software 'Neurofit Aqua'.
■The non-face-to-face medical platform 'My Doctor' announced on the 24th that it will provide non-face-to-face medical services during the Lunar New Year holiday to minimize gaps in hospital and pharmacy operations. My Doctor aims to help patients quickly check available hospitals and pharmacies nationwide during the holiday by incorporating information on them into the My Doctor app. In addition, it has completed pre-checks on partner medical institutions so that patients who cannot visit hospitals can receive non-face-to-face medical services. During the Lunar New Year holiday, patients will be able to consult with medical professionals through My Doctor and quickly receive prescriptions at pharmacies open after receiving prescriptions.
■Korea University Ansan Hospital announced on the 24th that Professor Kim Jae-hwan of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare at the Korean Medical Association's annual general meeting for 2025. Professor Kim has contributed to the development of the Korean Society of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine for over 20 years, recognized for achievements such as having the society's official journal indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) during his tenure as chairperson. The Korean Medical Association is the most prestigious pure medical academic organization in South Korea, recommending members with outstanding academic achievements from among its 193 member societies for the Minister's commendation. Professor Kim has led the society's growth by publishing the 4th edition of the official textbook 'Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine,' establishing patient safety and ethics committees within the society, and completing the systematic development of training curricula for residents.