GC Biopharma MS, a subsidiary in the diagnostic reagents and medical devices institutional sector of GC Biopharma, said on the 16th that it has developed and begun selling Korea's first powder-type hemodialysis solution.
Hemodialysis treatment uses an acidic solution (A solution) and an alkaline solution (B solution) together to control blood acidity (pH). The product that GC Biopharma MS received approval for improves on the limitations of the conventional B solution's liquid formulation by adopting a powder form and has received item approval in Korea for the first time. With this, GC Biopharma MS now has a full lineup of A solution, B solution, and powder-type B dialysis solution.
The powder-type dialysis solution reduces volume and weight, yielding significant savings in logistics and transportation costs. Also, whereas existing imported products use a sealed design, this product is designed with an openable structure in which the container and lid are separate, making it easier to discharge any remaining contents.
Since 2022, the company has established a dedicated production line for powder-type hemodialysis solutions within the HD plant in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, building a mass production system. It recently completed manufacturing approval and entered full-scale sales after signing supply contracts with major domestic medical institutions and companies.
GC Biopharma MS already operates Korea's largest liquid hemodialysis solution production plant. Completed in 2019, the Eumseong HD plant covers a site area of about 22,000㎡ and can produce about 6 million units of liquid dialysis solution annually. This is enough to cover more than half of the domestic supply of dialysis solution.
A company official said, "Until now, all powder-type hemodialysis solutions sold in Korea have relied entirely on imports," and added, "With the launch of this product, we expect to substitute imports and secure stable supply, contributing to improving the treatment environment for hemodialysis patients in Korea." The official added, "We are also pursuing overseas exports."