SK Chemicals announced on the 10th that it has launched the memory decline improvement product 'Gynexin MemoCare', which is mainly composed of ginkgo leaf and ginseng extracts. Gynexin MemoCare is a soft capsule form of an over-the-counter medicine containing 60 mg of ginkgo leaf dry extract and 100 mg of 40% ethanol ginseng extract. It can be taken twice a day, with one capsule each time. Ginkgo leaf extract facilitates blood flow to the brain, helps supply oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, and reduces damage caused by reactive oxygen species through antioxidant action. Ginseng extract is an herbal component that promotes energy metabolism and aids in enhancing immunity, recovering from fatigue, and stabilizing mood. MemoCare will be supplied through Jeil Health Sciences, which has a distribution network of over 12,000 direct pharmacies nationwide. With the launch of MemoCare, SK Chemicals plans to diversify its Gynexin lineup.
Celltrion announced on the 10th that it will participate in the '2025 Bio International Convention (BioUSA)', to be held in Boston, USA, from the 16th to the 19th (local time), to strengthen global partnerships. The company plans to operate a standalone booth approximately 140 square meters in size at the event, providing open meeting spaces and private meeting rooms to hold meetings with numerous global corporations. Through this, the company aims to grasp trends in the development of promising new modalities and seeks cooperation with potential partners to expand its new drug pipeline, including next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and antibody drugs. The company received approval for the Phase 1 clinical trial plan (IND) from the U.S. FDA for its next-generation ADC drug 'CT-P70' in March. It also plans to sequentially submit INDs for subsequent multi-antibody and antibody-drug conjugate drugs, including 'CT-P71' and 'CT-P72', within this year.
The Korea Bio Association announced on the 10th that it will operate a large Korean pavilion at BioUSA from the 16th to the 19th (local time). The association, in cooperation with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), will operate the Korea Pavilion, which spans 557.4 square meters, supporting the global expansion of a total of 29 domestic corporations and institutions. This year marks the 22nd operation of the Korean pavilion, which has expanded to the largest scale in both the number of participating corporations and exhibition area compared to the previous year. A total of 51 companies will participate, including 26 selected through the government-supported program by the association and KOTRA, along with 25 selected by three institutions: the Seoul Biohub, the Chuncheon Bio Industry Promotion Agency, and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT).
Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced on the 10th that it will participate in the 'American Diabetes Association (ADA 2025)' to be held in Chicago, USA, from the 20th to the 23rd (local time), where it will present a total of six preclinical and clinical research results, including the 'next-generation obesity treatment triple action agent (LA-GLP/GIP/GCG, HM15275)' and 'new concept obesity treatment agent (LA-UCN2, HM17321)'. For the first time, the Phase 1 results of HM15275, which have never been disclosed before, will be announced. Hanmi Pharmaceutical will disclose the Phase 1 results of HM15275, the powerful weight loss efficacy and mechanism of action of HM15275 in obesity animal models, the weight loss quality improvement mechanism of HM15275 compared to tirzepatide (Zepbound), the weight loss and differentiated body composition improvement effects of HM17321, the blood sugar control improvement effects of HM17321, and the synergetic effects of body composition improvement when HM15275 and HM17321 are used in combination.
Ildong Pharmaceutical's drug research company, Unovia, announced on the 10th that it plans to present research results related to its metabolic disease drug candidate 'ID110521156' aimed at addressing obesity and diabetes at ADA 2025, which will take place from the 20th to the 23rd (local time). According to Unovia, ID110521156 is a drug in the GLP-1 RA (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) category, acting similarly to the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates the synthetic secretion of insulin, reduces blood sugar levels, controls gastrointestinal motility, and suppresses appetite. Specifically, ID110521156 is characterized as a small-molecule compound-based oral (ingestible) synthetic drug candidate that boasts superior productivity and excellent usability compared to existing representative injectables based on peptide materials.
Daewoong Foundation announced on the 10th that it has donated 500 million won to Sookmyung Women’s University for nurturing talent and supporting research in the field of AI. Chairman Jang had previously contributed 1 billion won of his personal funds to establish the 'Digital Humanities Center' at Sookmyung Women’s University in 2022. With the previous donation of 500 million won made by the foundation in 2023 and this additional donation, the total cumulative donation amount from the foundation and Chairman Jang has reached 2 billion won, and the Digital Humanities Center has now been newly launched as the 'Jang Bong-ae AI Center'. Since 2023, Daewoong Foundation has continuously supported various initiatives, including the 'Digital Healthcare Project', which enhances AI-based health management programs, the 'AI Talent Nurturing Program' providing practical training and scholarships, and the 'AI-Digital Humanities Research' combining technology and humanities through the Jang Bong-ae AI Center (formerly the Digital Humanities Center).
The Huons Group, a total life care solutions company, announced on the 10th that Huons has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chuncheon City for 'subsidy support projects for the expansion of health functional food production facilities'. Huons plans to make strategic investments in local production facilities in Chuncheon City in light of this agreement. It aims to accelerate the expansion of production for health functional food and new products based on high-functionality raw materials such as red ginseng and four herbs. In particular, the company plans to further expedite the introduction of advanced production processes using the subsidies supported by Chuncheon City.
KOLON Life Science announced on the 10th that it will conduct partnering meetings with global pharmaceutical companies at BioUSA from the 16th to the 19th (local time). The company will engage in in-depth discussions on technology exports regarding its drug pipeline currently under development with global pharmaceutical firms. Key pipelines to be introduced include the gene therapy for neuropathic pain 'KLS-2031' and the cancer gene therapy 'KLS-3021'. KLS-2031 has completed Phase 1/2a clinical trials, while KLS-3021 is in preclinical development, preparing for global technology transfers.
Noel announced on the 10th that it has signed an exclusive supply contract to deliver the AI blood analysis solution 'miLab™ BCM' to major hospitals and screening centers in Italy for 520,000 dollars (approximately 7 billion won) over two years. Through a contract with an exclusive dealer, Noel has been supplying the AI-based malaria diagnostic solution 'miLab MAL' to general hospitals and malaria centers in Italy, and has recently successfully completed the verification of the miLab BCM product and signed a new supply contract. This contract was established based on the trust in the performance and technology of Noel's products, and the company plans to supply the AI-based blood analysis solution miLab BCM to Italy for the next two years. Noel aims to enhance product recognition and increase market share in the European market.
MedPacto announced on the 10th that it will participate in BioUSA from the 16th to the 19th (local time) to seek opportunities for expanding global partnerships and technology transfers. The company plans to promote strategic cooperation with global pharmaceutical companies and research institutions centered on its innovative immune anticancer drug candidate 'MP010'. 'MP010' is an innovative drug candidate that promotes the infiltration and activation of tumor-attacking immune cells, which have been strongly suppressed, by destroying and altering extracellular matrix (ECM), a component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, 'MP010' has demonstrated high complete response rates in preclinical stages for malignant pancreatic cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, proving its potential as a global new drug.
Seoul Biohub announced on the 10th that its resident corporation SYM Healthcare has received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for the clinical trial plan (IDE) of its digital therapeutic '4DEYE DTx'. This clinical trial aims to reduce pain in patients after lumbar surgery and will rigorously verify the clinical effects of the digital therapy and the feasibility of a data-driven treatment model. '4DEYE DTx' is an AI-based mobile digital therapeutic device for musculoskeletal surgery patients and disease sufferers, providing visualized result analysis, real-time monitoring, and biofeedback to enhance treatment reliability and effectiveness.
The Jaseng Medical Foundation and Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital announced on the 10th that they have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee to support national athletes and coaches with Korean medicine. Through this agreement, the Jaseng Medical Foundation and Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital will be designated as official partner hospitals for national athletes under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, as well as their family members and employees. Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital plans to assign dedicated coordinators to provide customized Korean medicine treatment services, encompassing reservations as well as treatment and rehabilitation benefits. Consequently, national athletes will be able to receive prompt and convenient medical services at 21 Jaseng Oriental Medicine hospitals and clinics nationwide.
ATG announced on the 10th that its pure-type botulinum toxin 'Botaruma' has obtained domestic product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. 'Botaruma' is a pure-type toxin product that has been refined to contain only the 150kDa single neurotoxin, identical to Merz's 'Xeomin', and is being highlighted as a next-generation botulinum toxin based on high purity. With a purification technology that removes non-toxic proteins, it minimizes immunogenicity and maintains efficacy and safety even with repeated administration. This product approval is the third pure-type botulinum toxin approved in Korea and the fourth worldwide.