ENCell announced on the 14th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's Cellresource (CRC) for collaboration in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector. ENCell explained that it decided to collaborate with CRC, which has a strong network in Japan, to transfer the technology of its developing next-generation mesenchymal stem cell therapy (EN001). ENCell plans to strengthen collaboration by providing consultation for CGT contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) operations to CRC, a subsidiary of the major Japanese pharmaceutical distribution company, Alpresa Group. Following the MOU, both parties will discuss contracts for transferring ENCell's CDMO technology and expertise and initiate networking to connect their clients.
Samsung Bioepis announced on the 14th that it has signed a corporate-university partnership agreement with Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine. This partnership involves Samsung Bioepis establishing a scholarship program to cultivate physician-scientists, awarding scholarships to outstanding students who systematically study clinical design, and plans to expand corporate-university collaboration activities in the future. Samsung Bioepis is conducting various corporate-university cooperation activities through research note competitions with major domestic universities, nurturing talents to lead the future bio industry early on and providing opportunities to acquire global-level research and development know-how from universities.
GI Innovation announced on the 14th that a paper on its fourth-generation metabolic immuno-oncology drug GI-108 has been published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). GI-108 is a metabolic immuno-oncology drug that inhibits the metabolism of cancer cells, and it is the world's first dual-fusion antibody protein new drug that combines a CD73 antibody, being developed by a global pharmaceutical company, with an IL-2 variant to overcome the inadequate efficacy of the CD73 antibody. According to the paper, in experimental models mimicking the tumor microenvironment, GI-108 showed about 8.6 times higher cell activation ability compared to the competing drug oleclumab. In particular, in a human triple-negative breast cancer model, a solid tumor, it confirmed excellent anti-cancer activity even with the GI-108 monotherapy compared to the third-generation immuno-oncology drug Keytruda, which generates the highest sales worldwide.
Genome & Company announced on the 14th that it will present research results on 'GENA-104 ADC' at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) event held in Chicago, Illinois, from the 25th to the 30th of next month (local time). 'GENA-104 ADC' is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CNTN4, discovered through the new drug development platform GNOCLE™. Genome & Company announced the development potential of the ADC targeting CNTN4, which is specifically expressed in cancer cells, through the AACR and World ADC conferences last year. Additional research results will be disclosed at this AACR.
D&D Pharmatech announced on the 14th that it has consecutively released multiple research results on the Parkinson's disease treatment NLY01, developed as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class drugs. The GLP-1 class drugs, originally approved for treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, are now expanding their target diseases to include degenerative brain diseases, including Parkinson's disease. The company published research results on the Parkinson's disease treatment effects of GLP-1 class drugs in the German Journal of Pharmacology in January and in the international journal Parkinsonism and Related Disorders in March.
PeopleBio announced on the 14th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's CMIC Group for the joint development of hair loss shampoo. Accordingly, the two companies will launch a premium pet shampoo brand, 'Ikigai One Family,' as their first product. This product is developed to help maintain pet fur soft and healthy and to reduce excessive fur loss in pets. Ikigai is a product developed jointly by Ikigai Pet Center, a subsidiary of the CMIC Group specializing in pet business, and PharmacoBio, a subsidiary of PeopleBio. PharmacoBio will supply the finished goods of pet shampoo manufactured domestically to CMIC, which plans to sell it primarily through veterinary clinics in Japan.
CG MedTech, a subsidiary of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's special relationship subsidiary and a company researching and manufacturing orthopedic implants, announced on the 14th that it will merge with the digital dentistry company 'DENTIS' in May. The company explained that this merger is a strategic decision to integrate research and development (R&D) and production capabilities to maximize operational efficiency and promote sustainable growth in the medical device market. DENTIS was fully acquired by CG MedTech in August of last year and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary. The merger will proceed as a merger method without capital increase, with CG MedTech holding 100% of DENTIS' shares, and there will be no change in the shareholder composition of CG MedTech after the merger, ensuring continuity of existing operations.
Dongkook Pharmaceutical announced on the 14th that it has launched three new skincare products called 'Madeca Phamacia TECA Plus Formula.' The TECA plus Formula™, featuring a high concentration of Centella Asiatica extract (TECA) combined with dexpanthenol, is particularly notable for being a derma cure brand that incorporates Dongkook Pharmaceutical's Centella extract. It is available for purchase only at pharmacies. The three Madeca Phamacia TECA Plus Formula products provide tailored solutions for skin concerns.