Samsung Biologics and Samsung Bioepis announced on the 21st that they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Sungkyunkwan University and Korea University to cultivate talent in the field of research and development (R&D) in the bio sector. According to the agreement, a 'bio talent cultivation track' will be newly established under the School of Biotechnology at Sungkyunkwan University and the College of Life Sciences at Korea University. The two companies plan to select outstanding scholarship students among the fourth-year students at each university to develop master's level human resources in bio R&D. The scholarship recipients will receive tuition and subsidies for all semesters and will be given the opportunity to join the companies upon graduation.
Celltrion stated on the 21st that it participated in the '2025 European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO)' held in Berlin, Germany from the 19th to the 22nd (local time). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the ECCO, which is one of the key global inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) conferences. About 8,000 IBD experts from around the world attended this year. Celltrion, the only domestic company, has opened a standalone promotional booth and is conducting various marketing activities to attract the attention of attendees. During the conference, Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel from Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York presented verbal findings from a post-hoc analysis of clinical data on the endoscopic and histological outcomes of patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis treated with infliximab and maintained with 'Remsima SC' (U.S. brand name: 'Jimpendra').
CG MedTech, an affiliate of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, announced on the 21st that it has actively begun its expansion into Central and South America by entering Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru last year. The number of countries in which CG MedTech operates has increased from 19 to 23. With this new entry into the South American market last year, its overseas sales increased by 9% compared to the previous year. Major export items include the spinal posterior fixation device 'ANAX 5.5', the epidural interbody fusion cage 'Velofix TLIF', and the cervical independent anterior fixation device 'Velofix SA'.
GC Biopharma announced on the 21st that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved 'Latilactobacillus curvatus (LB-P9)' as an individually recognized ingredient that can help improve hair shine and elasticity. In 2022, the Ministry included 'hair health' in the functional scope of health functional foods. LB-P9 has been recognized as the first lactic acid bacteria capable of managing hair health in Korea. LB-P9 confirmed effects of increased hair follicle cell count and hair density in preclinical studies using animals. In clinical trials conducted on adults with hair damage but no hair loss, effects of increased hair elasticity and shine were observed.
Ildong Pharmaceutical announced on the 21st that the Songpa Foundation, its group scholarship foundation, held a board meeting and approved the settlement of accounts for 2024. According to the settlement results, the foundation provided a total of 100.54 million won in scholarships to 15 students last year. The Songpa Foundation was established in 1994 for the pure purpose of scholarships to honor the legacy of the late chairman Yoon Yong-gu, the founder of Ildong Pharmaceutical. At its establishment, the foundation made a donation of 80,000 shares of Ildong Pharmaceutical and 300 million won in cash in accordance with the late chairman's wishes. The Songpa Foundation currently holds assets such as over 820,000 shares of Ildong Holdings and 90,000 shares of Ildong Pharmaceutical.
HLB PHARMA announced on the 21st that it has been selected as one of the '100 best companies to work for in South Korea' and 'best companies for parents to work for in South Korea' for the second consecutive year. The 'best companies to work for in South Korea' is an event hosted by GPTW Korea that evaluates and selects companies that prioritize employee satisfaction and happiness as their top value in corporate management. Park Jae-hyung, CEO of HLP Pharmaceutical, was named 'most respected CEO in Korea,' while Kim Man-kyu, Vice President, received the 'GPTW Pioneer Award,' and Lee Yong-woo, Director of Human Resources and General Affairs, was recognized as a 'GPTW Innovation Leader.'
DXVX announced on the 21st that it has signed a supply contract for precision traditional medicine services with Panacura, a company developing traditional medicine-based therapeutics. Under the contract, DXVX will provide precision medicine analysis services, and Panacura will supply precision medicine analysis services and products through a network of traditional Korean medicine hospitals and clinics.
Korea GSK announced on the 21st that it has been ranked 20th among the '100 best companies to work for in South Korea' selected by GPTW. Korea GSK was selected in four sectors, including the '2024 South Korea's best companies to work for' certification last year, and this year marked its first entry into the top 100 companies while receiving awards in a total of seven sectors. The award categories include '100 best companies to work for,' 'best company for parents to work for,' 'global ESG human rights management certification,' 'most respected CEO in Korea,' 'GPTW Innovation Leader,' 'Pioneer Award,' and 'Proud Working Mom.'
Korea AbbVie announced on the 21st that it has been selected for three consecutive years as one of the '100 best companies to work for in South Korea' by GPTW. After ranking 20th last year, it has moved up nine places to 11th place this year. Korea AbbVie ranked 11th among the 100 companies and received awards in four categories: 'best company for parents to work for,' 'global ESG human rights management certification,' and 'most respected CEO in Korea.'
Samsung Electronics' Medical Device Division and Samsung Medison announced on the 21st that they will participate in the '2025 European Congress of Radiology (ECR)' held in Vienna, Austria from the 26th to the next month, the 2nd. ECR is Europe's largest medical device conference. This year's theme is 'Radiology in a Changing World' reflecting on the influence of radiology on the world. Samsung will set up a standalone booth at this year's event to focus on introducing specialized diagnostic medical systems by division and its efforts and achievements in environmental practices. In the 'Pediatric Integrated Solutions Zone,' ultrasound diagnostic devices designed with children's emotions in mind and mobile computed tomography (CT) devices for children with limited mobility will be showcased. Five new models of ultrasound diagnostic devices will be unveiled, and the floor-mounted X-ray product 'GF85' will be introduced in Europe for the first time. Additionally, demonstration videos of the CT product 'Omnitome Elite' and 'S-Hub,' which allows multiple ultrasound diagnostic devices to be controlled remotely, will also be shown.
Dong-A Socio Group announced on the 21st that over 60 new employees conducted a volunteer activity of sharing love by making kimchi at the Dong-A Socio Group Talent Development Center located in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. To assist the underprivileged who faced difficulties in preparing kimchi due to soaring cabbage prices during last year's kimchi-making season, the new employees mixed and packaged kimchi to deliver it to 250 households in vulnerable communities. This sharing event was part of Dong-A Socio Group's social contribution program to promote its fair management practices.
The head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Administrator Jeong Mi-ji, attended the opening ceremony of the Global Bioresource Center of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and delivered a congratulatory speech on the 21st. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency promoted the construction of the Global Bioresource Center with government budget investment last year. The Global Bioresource Center is a facility specializing in managing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses and the antigens and antibodies derived from them. The VI Global Bioresource Center has the capacity to preserve over 4 million biological resource samples and currently holds more than 210,000 clinical samples and pathogens. It will support the storage and utilization of pathogens and human-derived resources collected domestically and internationally.