Pharmgen Science announced on the 30th that it has obtained item approval and priority sales item approval rights for its gastric inflammation treatment "Mipid Sustained Release Tablets 150 milligrams" (active ingredient Rebamipide) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Mipid Sustained Release Tablets are a generic (copy medicine) of the modified new drug "Recomid Sustained Release Tablets" jointly developed by Yuhan Corporation in collaboration with domestic pharmaceutical companies. Recomid Sustained Release Tablets are an improved new drug based on Otsuka Pharmaceutical's gastric inflammation treatment "Mucosta," which was jointly developed by Yuhan Corporation, Green Cross, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, and Daewon Pharmaceutical in December 2020. The product, which originally required taking three doses a day, was introduced as a sustained release formulation that allows for two doses a day. Pharmgen Science developed the generic drug to bypass the patents of the modified new drug. The company stated, "By applying for item approval immediately after the original drug's re-evaluation was completed, we secured generic approval along with priority sales rights, allowing us to preempt the generic market," and added, "We aim to launch the product in July."
Neurophet, a specialist in artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnosing and treating brain diseases, announced on the 29th that it has submitted a securities registration statement to the Financial Services Commission and has commenced a full-scale public offering process. The total number of shares being publicly offered is 2 million, with a desired offering price range of 11,400 won to 14,000 won, totaling between 22.8 billion won and 28 billion won. A demand forecast for institutional investors will be conducted from July 4 to July 10, followed by a general subscription on July 15 and 16. Mirae Asset Securities is the lead underwriter for the listing. Neurophet was founded in 2016 by co-CEOs Bin Joon-kil and Kim Dong-hyun, who developed the next-generation neuro-navigation system at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. The company’s main product, Neurophet Aqua AD, provides all necessary brain imaging analysis functions required during the administration of anti-amyloid antibody therapeutics.
Samsung Bioepis will showcase its bone disease treatment "Obodense" at the International Symposium of the Korean Society for Bone Metabolism (SSBH 2025), which runs until the 31st. The original drug of Obodense, "Prolia," is a treatment developed by Amgen for bone loss in patients with osteoporosis, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Samsung Bioepis will promote the safety and efficacy of Obodense at this event. Additionally, they will operate a booth with Hanmi Pharmaceutical, with whom they have a co-marketing agreement, to engage with stakeholders from the medical community and industry.
ABL Bio announced on the 30th that it will introduce its next-generation ADC development strategy at the 4th World ADC Summit being held at the Grand Hyatt Incheon from June 10 to 12. ABL Bio will present on the topic of "Discovery and Preclinical Development of Dual-Antibody ADC Candidate ABL206," highlighting the advantages of dual-antibody ADCs and preclinical development strategies. ABL206 is a dual-antibody ADC that ABL Bio is currently developing in the preclinical phase.
Lottee Biologics, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, announced that it will participate in the World ADC Summit held in Incheon from June 10 to 12, followed by the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston, USA, from June 16 to 19 (local time). The company plans to seek to establish business partnerships with potential clients at these events. In April, Lottee Biologics signed a production contract for ADC clinical trial candidate substances with a bio company based in Asia.
Talos Corp., which has developed an AI-based brain aneurysm risk assessment solution, announced on the 30th that it has signed an exclusive supply contract with MG Hospital (Möngön Güür Emneleg), a private hospital in Mongolia. The product supplied by Talos is "ANRISK®," a software medical AI system that predicts the likelihood of brain aneurysm occurrence based solely on health checkup data. Kim Taek-kyun, CEO of Talos, stated, "Through this contract, we plan to not only export the solution but also develop a digital healthcare business based on the local medical environment and establish a practical medical linkage system."
The 32nd International Brain Blood Flow and Metabolism Conference (Brain & Brain PET 2025) will be held at COEX in Seoul from June 1 to 4. Hosted by the International Brain Blood Flow and Metabolism Society and organized by the Korean Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism and the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, it will bring together about 1,000 experts from over 30 countries to share diagnostic and treatment strategies through brain function quantification and imaging technology. Joint co-organizers Jeong Yong, president of the Korean Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, and Song Yoon-seon, professor at Sookmyung Woman's University College of Pharmacy, stated, "We hope that this conference will serve as a valuable platform to explore the future of brain blood flow and metabolism research and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration beyond academic boundaries. We expect to share knowledge and insights with scholars from around the world and to provide a springboard for new advances."
Korea University Anam Hospital announced on the 30th that Professor Kim Hoon-yeob from its Thyroid Center has achieved the world’s first 2,000 cases of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT). Professor Kim, a specialist in breast endocrine surgery, is the creator of the TORT method, which involves inserting a surgical robot arm through the mouth to access the thyroid and resect only the lesions without causing damage to other tissues and organs. Since successfully performing the world’s first TORT in 2016, he has continuously validated its safety and effectiveness through research and clinical application. To date, he has performed approximately 3,000 robotic surgeries, including TORT.
Professor Jeong Jae-seung of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital received a commendation from the Minister of Food and Drug Safety at the 18th Medical Device Day ceremony. Professor Jeong has been recognized for his contributions to the introduction and stabilization of cardiovascular-related medical devices as a member of the Rare and Urgent Medical Device Review Committee since March 2022. He has actively participated not only in the review and assessment of various medical devices and treatment materials but also in preparing reports and countermeasures related to the production and import suspension of medical devices that could pose risks to public health due to market supply disruptions. During the shortage of catheters for cardiac surgeries that occurred last year, he played a key role in resolving the issue by collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Korean Medical Device Safety Information Center.
Professor Song In-seok of Korea University Anam Hospital's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was awarded the "Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Commendation." The Seoul City Council awarded the commendation in recognition of Professor Song's strong spirit of service, social activities, and contributions to community development. Professor Song has actively participated in oral health education for local residents and supported oral healthcare in medically underserved areas, as well as conducted the national research project on dental cross-infection prevention technology at the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.
Catholic University Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital recently announced that it has achieved 500 hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Professor Kim Byeong-soo from Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital's Department of Hematology stated, "Achieving this landmark of 500 cases is a result of a multidisciplinary collaboration system that encompasses thorough diagnosis before transplantation, recovery after transplantation, and the dedication of the medical staff." Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital has operated a hematology unit since its opening in April 2019 and successfully performed its first hematopoietic stem cell transplant in July of the same year. Since then, it has established Korea's first multiple myeloma center and operates a collaborative team composed of various specialists.
Busan Baek Hospital reported on the 30th that Professor Bae Gi-beom has surpassed 560 cases of robotic surgery for colon cancer using the Da Vinci Xi system, setting a distinctive record as the highest number of individual cumulative cases in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions. Professor Bae actively performs high-difficulty robotic surgeries not only for colon cancer, including colon and rectal cancers but also for anal cancer and benign colon diseases.
The Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation, a non-profit organization specializing in childhood cancer, announced that the TMoney Welfare Foundation has donated 310 million won to support travel expenses for childhood cancer patients.
The Gyeongbuk Community Chest of Korea reported that the Construction Association of Korea's Gyeongsangbuk-do branch has delivered a donation of 12.75 million won to overcome low birth rates.
Yeongju Red Cross Hospital announced on the 30th that it will implement a health screening support project for the vulnerable population with the sponsorship of the Export-Import Bank of Korea starting in the second half of this year. The project will provide health screenings and follow-up care for medically underserved groups, including multicultural women and foreign workers who find it difficult to undergo regular health checkups. The screening will include a comprehensive examination, MRI tests, and if necessary, referrals to specialists.