Daewon Pharmaceutical announced on the 7th that its anti-diarrheal product, Potagel Suspension (Potagel), has recorded the highest sales volume in the country for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025. Potagel is an over-the-counter medication primarily composed of dioctahedral smectite. It is mainly used to relieve symptoms of acute diarrhea in adults and children over 24 months, as well as to alleviate related pain in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The most notable feature of Potagel is its excellent adsorption properties. It absorbs harmful substances and toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and binds to damaged mucosa to form a protective barrier. Thanks to this mechanism of action, it is also effective in managing gastrointestinal pain. Additionally, because it is not absorbed into the body and absorbs moisture, toxins, and viruses, it has relatively few side effects and can be used safely.
Dong-A Socio Holdings announced on the 7th that it was selected as one of the 'ESG Best Company 100' in the first half of 2025 ESG evaluation by the domestic Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) evaluation agency, Sustainbest. Sustainbest conducts ESG evaluations of about 1,300 listed and unlisted domestic corporations twice a year. Following the last year's selection, Dong-A Socio Holdings was once again named among the top 100 ESG companies, with its pharmaceutical subsidiary, Dong-A ST, and raw material pharmaceutical company ST PHARM also being named among the top 100 for the second consecutive time. Notably, Dong-A ST rose from 27th to 4th place, while ST PHARM moved up from 30th to 8th place. This year, both corporations published a sustainability management report detailing their financial and non-financial performance for the year 2024. In this first-half evaluation, Dong-A Socio Holdings surpassed a consolidated asset size of 2 trillion won and received an A rating for the first time among groups with a consolidated asset size of over 2 trillion won.
SK Chemicals announced on the 7th that it had published the '2024 Sustainability Management Report' containing its ESG performance over the past year and future strategies by applying various global ESG disclosure standards. This report is characterized by its enhanced structure and reliability, integrating globally accepted standards such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) S2 standards, the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and the guidelines from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). According to the ESRS, a double materiality assessment was conducted on five major ESG issues set in advance: climate change response, resource circulation, human resources, employee health and safety, and ethical management, designating 'climate change response' and 'resource circulation' as the top priorities.
Ildong Pharmaceutical announced on the 7th that it will officially launch 'Roihitsuboko' (ROIHI-TSUBOKO), commonly known as 'coin plaster,' in Korea. Ildong Pharmaceutical has entered into a contract with the Japanese company Nichiban to exclusively supply the officially recognized product 'Roihitsuboko Coin Plaster' to the domestic pharmacy market starting this month. Roihitsuboko is an over-the-counter medication in the form of a topical patch that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and warming effects. It is characterized by its beige circular shape and a unique warm and refreshing sensation during use. Roihitsuboko contains active ingredients such as methyl salicylate, which reduces inflammation and alleviates pain, L-menthol and dl-camphor, which promote blood circulation, and nonyl phenol vanilyl amide, which stimulates warmth to enhance blood circulation. These ingredients provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects for symptoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, shoulder stiffness, lower back pain, contusions, sprains, and fracture pain.
SD Biosensor announced on the 7th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bundang Seoul National University Hospital to develop new products. Based on this agreement, SD Biosensor and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital have set a common goal of 'developing and commercializing in vitro diagnostic medical devices' and will collaborate on the development of tuberculosis diagnostic products. Key areas of collaboration include joint research and consulting, product development and analytical performance evaluation, clinical cooperation for product trials, information exchange and technical cooperation, securing and utilizing research specimens, and cooperation for product approval, covering all stages of product development. The new products developed through this agreement will utilize diagnostic technology based on 'TB-LAM antigens.' TB-LAM antigens are substances that can be detected in the urine of patients with active tuberculosis, providing a simpler and more effective alternative compared to the conventional sputum collection method, especially for patients with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV. However, since the concentration of TB-LAM in urine is very low, the existing technology has had limitations in early diagnosis; hence, this joint research and development aims to enhance the technology to accurately test even minute amounts of the antigens.
Dongkook Pharmaceutical launched on the 7th its first children's growth health functional product called 'MyFit Key Happy' under its nutrition brand, NEWTREE. 'MyFit Key Happy' is recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its functionality in aiding the growth of children during their growth phase and contains fermented oyster extract (FGO). Fermented oyster extract is a specially recognized ingredient that undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation using oysters, known as 'milk of the sea,' as raw materials, and is characterized by successfully incorporating functional components through patented fermentation technology. Results from a 24-week human application trial conducted on children in Korea showed that the growth group experienced a growth of 3.78 cm, with an additional growth of 0.87 cm compared to the non-consumption group, indicating statistically significant results, particularly improvements in growth metrics such as faster growth rates compared to the control group (HV), increases in standard deviation scores for height (SDS), and confirmation of growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3).
AbbVie Korea announced on the 7th that it has recruited an upcycling artist for its upcycling campaign 'Beauty Up' to begin formal collaborations for the exhibition 'Beauty in NATURAL,' scheduled to be held in September. Now in its second year, the Beauty Up campaign transforms discarded empty vials into works of art, linking the sale of these artworks to charitable donations. Since the launch of the campaign in February, over 100 hospitals and medical professionals have actively participated. This year's group of participating artists consists of four individuals, who will create 30 works of art themed around 'nature.'
ABL Bio announced on the 7th that its partner, I-Mab, conducted a mini oral presentation on ABL111 (ingredient name: zibostomib) combination therapy on the 2nd of this month (local time) at the European Society for Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancer Congress (ESMO GI) 2025. ABL111 is a bispecific antibody jointly developed by ABL Bio and I-Mab that targets claudin 18.2 and 4-1BB, which are overexpressed in gastric and pancreatic cancers. The clinical phase 1b results for this ABL111 triple combination therapy showed promising efficacy across all dose groups, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 71% (12/17) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 100% (17/17). All dose groups demonstrated good tolerability, and serious adverse drug reactions (TRAE) of grade 3 or higher were at a limited level.
Noeul announced on the 7th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seegene Brazil to introduce its AI-based cervical cancer solution 'miLab™ CER' locally. Through this MOU, both parties will aim to establish a non-exclusive distribution agreement for Noeul's product portfolio, including the AI-based cervical cancer solution miLab CER, within Seegene Brazil's sales area and will continue to collaborate in various areas. Noeul is currently carrying out the medical device review and certification process (MDSAP) for the local supply of miLab CER.
Prestige Biologics announced on the 7th that it will participate in the 'INTERPHEX WEEK TOKYO 2025' to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from the 9th to the 11th, to expand its global partnerships. Prestige Biologics plans to set up a standalone booth to continue its business networking. The company will share its achievements and vision with attendees and actively engage in meetings with potential partners in the booth space to expand its orders.
Enzychem Lifesciences announced that it achieved results in overseas sales during its participation in the 'CPhI China 2025,' the largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology event in Asia held last month in Shanghai, including plans to expand exports of the tuberculosis treatment 'cycloserine,' discussions to resume supply in Kazakhstan, and negotiations to expand the supply of the expectorant 'erdosteine' to the European market. During the exhibition, over 100 global companies visited their booth, facilitating substantial discussions on expanding the supply of key products such as 'cycloserine' and 'erdosteine' as well as new product supplies.
Keeps Biopharma announced on the 7th that it has confirmed a high bioavailability of 38% in non-clinical trials of the oral drug delivery platform 'Oraloid™' being developed through its subsidiary Keeps Biomed. According to the company, in a subsequent experiment conducted on beagle dogs using the 'Oraloid' platform technology applied to the 'oral insulin' capsule, the relative bioavailability compared to subcutaneous injections (SC) averaged 37.7%. Following successful smaller animal trials, the significantly high absorption rates have also been confirmed in larger animal experiments compared to competitors.