Dong-A ST announced on the 20th that it has applied for the approval of SK Biopharm's epilepsy new drug 'cenobamate' from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Dong-A ST signed a technology transfer contract for the production of finished products (DP) for the supply of cenobamate in 30 countries with SK Biopharm in January last year. As a result, Dong-A ST will be responsible for the approval, sales, and production of finished products of cenobamate in 30 countries. Clinical results from the previous approval process showed that cenobamate reduced the frequency of seizures by 55% and demonstrated a meaningful effect with a complete seizure freedom rate of 28%. In a phase 3 clinical trial conducted last December involving patients from Korea, China, and Japan, significant improvements in seizure frequency reduction and complete seizure freedom rates were confirmed. SK Biopharm is conducting clinical trials for the expansion of cenobamate's indications for generalized seizures and for increasing the dosing age for pediatric and adolescent patients.
JW Pharmaceutical announced on the 20th that research results showing its hemophilia A treatment 'Hemlibra' improves patients' pain have been published in the recent international academic journal 'Haemophilia.' Hemlibra is an innovative new drug that mimics the deficient coagulation factor VIII in patients with hemophilia A. It employs dual-specific antibody technology that simultaneously binds to coagulation factors IX and X. It can be used by both antibody patients who have developed resistance to existing treatments (factor VIII preparations) and non-antibody patients, with a dosing regimen that allows for preventive effects lasting up to once every four weeks via subcutaneous injection. In the global phase 3 results of Hemlibra, the percentage of patients who responded that they had 'no or only minimal swelling pain' rose from 37.0% before dosing to 84.0% by week 13 of dosing, and patients reporting 'no or only minimal joint pain' increased from 30.0% to 61.0%.
CHA Vaccine announced on the 20th that it has obtained a patent in Japan for 'a composition of an anti-cancer vaccine containing tumor-associated antigen-derived peptides, lipopetides, and immune enhancers and its use.' This patent relates to a cancer vaccine and its manufacturing method utilizing CHA Vaccine's independently developed immune enhancer platform, L-pampo™. CHA Vaccine filed a patent in five countries, including Korea and Japan, in March 2024. The company noted that L-pampo has immune enhancement effects and the ability to induce cell death in cancer cells, and it is conducting research to use it as an immune enhancer for anti-cancer vaccines. The results confirmed that it strongly induces antigen-specific T cells, demonstrating effective anti-cancer efficacy compared to previously known immune enhancers.
Celltrion announced on the 20th that the paper on the phase 3 results of its autoimmune disease treatment 'Uplizna' has been published in the international journal 'Advances in Therapy.' This study is based on the results of a global phase 3 trial conducted on 367 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the multiple crossover dosing group of Uplizna and Humira, as well as the Humira maintenance dosing group, were compared and verified. The clinical results showed that the pharmacokinetic characteristics between the multiple crossover dosing group of Uplizna and Humira and the Humira maintenance dosing group met the statistical equivalence criteria. The company stated that similarities were also confirmed in efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity.
Samsung Bioepis announced on the 20th that it held an award ceremony for the 'research notebook competition' at Korea University's natural campus and provided scholarships worth 10 million won to graduate students in the College of Life Sciences. Research notebooks are materials that document research achievements throughout various stages, from inception to report, presentation, and securing intellectual property rights. They are utilized as foundational data when maintaining research continuity, protecting results, presenting papers, and filing patents. Samsung Bioepis engages in industry-academic cooperation activities by educating on how to write research notebooks through agreements with major domestic universities and awarding scholarships to excellent students at the awards ceremony.
The Ildong Pharmaceutical Group's new drug development consulting firm AIMS announced on the 20th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dt&CRO, a full-service contract research organization (CRO), regarding collaboration in new drug research and clinical trials. The two companies agreed to collaborate in areas such as optimizing early-stage new drug development strategies and clinical trial designs, enhancing clinical trial operations and data management efficiency, developing innovative models based on decentralized clinical trials (DCT), and establishing strategies for responding to global clinical trial regulations and new drug approvals.
Kyongbo Pharmaceutical announced on the 20th that it has entered into a business agreement with Binex for contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). ADCs are a next-generation anticancer drug that chemically combines antibodies that target cancer cells with payloads that destroy cancer cells via a linker. Under the agreement, Kyongbo Pharmaceutical will be responsible for the manufacture of ADCs, while Binex will handle the development of the cell lines, processes, and analytical methods for the antibodies used in ADCs.
Next Biomedical announced on the 20th that its hemostatic agent for endoscopy, 'Nexpowder™,' has received final approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan. Typically, the PMDA examination for high-risk medical devices takes over a year for approval. However, Nexpowder, classified as a Class III medical device, obtained PMDA approval in about six months. Nexpowder is a powder-type hemostatic agent used for gastrointestinal bleeding, developed to be applied through endoscopy to control bleeding and prevent future occurrences of bleeding and re-bleeding.
Medytox announced on the 20th that its neuroderm cosmetic brand 'Neuraderm' has officially entered Shinsegae department store's beauty edit shop brand 'Chicor.' Neuraderm has been introduced to a total of nine stores, including the Chicor COEX branch, Yeongdeungpo Times Square branch, I-Park Yongsan branch, Gasan branch, Suwon branch, Starfield Goyang branch, Cheonan Asan branch, Centum City branch, and Gimhae branch, with plans to expand to 15 branches in the first half of this year. Consumers can find a total of 12 products including the flagship products 'Neuraderm Core Time Ampoule' and 'Neuraderm Derma Cream' at the Chicor stores.
OSANG Healthcare announced on the 20th that it has executed follow-up investment in Kryptos Biotechnologies, a field molecular diagnostic device development company in the United States. Kryptos Biotechnologies is a startup established in Silicon Valley in the U.S. in 2017, developing point-of-care molecular diagnostic devices (POC-MDx). The company participated as a strategic investor in a total of 10 million dollars series A investment last March. This investment, amounting to 2 million dollars, is a follow-up investment based on the achievement of milestones agreed upon during the previous series A contract. The two companies are developing an all-in-one type of point-of-care molecular diagnostic device, with the first product for respiratory infectious diseases aimed for U.S. clinical trials this year and FDA approval in 2026.
AstraZeneca Korea announced on the 20th that it is conducting an in-house campaign 'Hope Library' to convey messages of solidarity and support for bile duct cancer patients on the occasion of World Bile Duct Cancer Day. This event, themed around a library, featured a lecture by Professor Jeong Hong-jae from Bundang CHA Hospital's Department of Hematology and Oncology, explaining the characteristics of the disease and the importance of improving treatment environments, among other topics. A program to complete the 'Hope Bile Tree' containing messages of support for bile duct cancer patients was also held.
Medtronic's local subsidiary, Medtronic Korea, announced on the 20th that it has been selected as a 'Great Place to Work' in Korea by the global consulting firm Great Place to Work Institute (GPTW) for six consecutive years. Indeed, Medtronic Korea operates various programs that enable members to leverage their potential and grow as subject matter experts. Notable initiatives include Talent Xperience, which allows employees to experience successful cases from other overseas branches and return to apply them in their work, Coffee Chat with Leaders for mentoring on various topics related to careers and leadership, and graduate school scholarship support. Career development support also includes efforts for female leadership development. Currently, about 50% of Medtronic Korea's workforce is female, and the percentage of women in management roles is approximately 40%.
Connecteve, which develops AI-based orthopedic preoperative solutions, announced on the 20th that it successfully secured series A investments totaling 14 billion won. The company will focus on preparing for the launch of AI-based medical solutions such as CONNEVO KOA, ALI, and Suite scheduled for release this year. These products aim to support personalized treatment plans for patients using AI and provide orthopedic surgeons with precise analytical tools. A next-generation robotic surgical system for artificial joint surgery planned for release in 2027 will use vision AI systems to enhance existing robotic surgical technologies and enable automated surgical design using AI.
The Medical Reform Special Committee announced on the 20th that it held the 17th meeting of the Medical Accident Safety Network Expert Committee. The meeting discussed the establishment of a public compensation system for medical accidents and comprehensive measures to strengthen the medical accident safety net. The committee discussed ways to strengthen compensation limits and coverage for essential medical practices to protect medical professionals from liability and criteria for determining insurance premium rates to encourage medical institutions to enroll in compensation insurance. Proposed measures to strengthen the medical accident safety net included reforming the current medical dispute mediation system to rationalize the mediation process and the establishment of a 'Medical Accident Review Committee' (tentative name) focusing on serious negligence cases.
The Jeonbuk Headquarters of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service announced on the 20th that it participated in the 2025 winter season life-sharing blood donation campaign together with the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Blood Center of the Korea Red Cross on the 19th. This campaign was initiated based on a suggestion for collaborative participation from members of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Provincial Office last year. It was organized with the voluntary participation of Jeonbuk Headquarters employees to alleviate the blood supply shortage during the winter season in the Jeonbuk region.