■ Asan Medical Center achieved 9,000 liver transplants as the first single medical institution in the world. This milestone comes 32 years and 8 months after performing the first brain-dead liver transplant in August 1992. On the 30th of last month, the liver transplantation center at Asan Medical Center opened four operating rooms and simultaneously conducted the 8,999th and 9,000th liver transplants over an 11-hour period. An aunt suffering from liver cancer and a maternal aunt with alcoholic liver cirrhosis received liver transplants from their respective nephews. Both cases involved living donor transplants. Professor Lee Seung-kyu, who performed the 9,000th surgery, noted, "It is thanks to the numerous medical staff in the operating room, intensive care unit, and various departments working as one team."
■ Kakao Healthcare announced on the 16th that it has completed the establishment of its Japanese subsidiary "KHC Japan" and the appointment of its head, marking its full-scale entry into the Japanese healthcare market. The company plans to finalize main contracts and partnerships with global and local partners as early as the first half of the year. Lee Jin-ho, former CEO of J-Pax, has been appointed as the inaugural head. This head graduated from Waseda University with a degree in commerce and has about 30 years of experience in Japan's B2C and IT sectors at companies such as Hyosung, Cyberd Korea, and Global Tax Free. Kakao Healthcare is also currently hiring talents in sales, marketing, planning, and development, including local medical personnel.
■ Dong Kook Lifescience announced on the 16th that its consolidated revenue for the first quarter of this year increased by 4.2% year-on-year to 35 billion won, while operating profit rose by 8.1% to 3.1 billion won. The net profit for the period was 2.2 billion won, more than tripling compared to the same period last year.
■ MEDIPOST reported on the 16th that it recorded separate revenue of 20.3 billion won and operating profit of 1.3 billion won in the first quarter of this year. While revenue increased by 6.9% compared to the first quarter of last year, operating profit fell by 23.5%. The global clinical trial for the knee osteoarthritis stem cell treatment "CATIS" is also underway. Currently, the phase 3 clinical trial in the United States is focusing on finalizing the clinical protocol through meetings with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and applying for clinical approval (IND). The Japanese clinical trial has completed administration to the last patient in phase 3.
■ JETEMA announced on the 16th that it recorded consolidated revenue of 15.8 billion won and an operating loss of 100 million won in the first quarter. Revenue decreased by 8% compared to the same period last year, and the operating profit turned into a loss. The company explained that the first quarter results were affected by the postponement of filler sales in the Latin American market to April. Additionally, it stated that marketing and promotional expenses related to the domestic launch of "JETEMA Dtox" increased temporarily, reducing profits.
■ Genolution announced on the 16th that its consolidated revenue in the first quarter recorded 2.1 billion won, a 63.9% increase compared to the same period last year. During the same period, operating loss continued at 2.5 billion won. The company explained, "Although sales increased due to the expansion of the premium home beauty device 'Anblepriti' and increased sales of research analysis equipment and reagents, initial marketing investments and rising promotional costs slightly widened the operating loss."
■ Coreline Soft announced on the 16th that it has registered its company solutions with the French national public procurement agency UGAP. UGAP is responsible for the common purchasing of all public institutions in France, including national and local governments as well as public hospitals. This allows public institutions to quickly acquire needed products without complex bidding procedures. The company expects that this UGAP registration will be a significant opportunity for entering the local public healthcare market.
■ DXVX announced on the 16th that it has signed a business agreement with DNP Biotech to expand its preterm birth microbiome testing business. The preterm birth microbiome test tracks changes in the vaginal microbiome of pregnant individuals to inform those at high risk of preterm birth and support preventive management in advance. Through this agreement, both parties plan to combine DXVX's network of domestic and international obstetrician-gynecologists and specimen analysis technology with DNP Biotech's proprietary technology related to preterm birth microbiomes.
■ The Korean Bio Association and K-BD Network announced on the 16th that they held the "DEALMAKER ACADEMY 2nd Consulting Seminar" at the Korea Biopark auditorium in Pangyo. This seminar was organized as part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's project to promote the commercialization of bio ventures. The goal is to address the challenges faced by business development personnel in bio corporations and to cultivate global bio business experts.
■ Irsong Academy Corporation announced on the 15th that it held a board meeting and reappointed Choi Yang-hee, the 10th president, as the 11th president. The term is from September 1 until August 31, 2029. President Choi took office as the 10th president in September 2021.