■AI-based blood and cancer diagnostics specialist Noeul announced on the 11th that it has signed an exclusive supply agreement with a medical device distribution company in Qatar, to supply its AI-based cervical cancer diagnostic solution, miLab™ CER, along with its main product lineup over the next three years. Under this contract, Noeul will supply its AI-based cervical cytology solution miLab™ CER, blood analysis solution miLab™ BCM, and AI-based malaria diagnostic solution miLab™ MAL in Qatar for three years, with the contract worth approximately $720,000 (Hanwha 1 billion won).
■Celltrion announced on the 11th that it has confirmed the efficacy and safety of its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate 'CT-P73' in preclinical studies. Celltrion presented the preclinical results of its ADC candidate 'CT-P73' at the 'World ADC Asia Summit' held at the Grand Hyatt Incheon from the 10th to the 12th. The preclinical results generated significant figures in terms of the therapeutic index, which comprehensively evaluates efficacy and safety, and identified superior pharmacokinetic properties based on the stability of the linker. The company expects that CT-P73 will exhibit a bystander effect destroying targeted surrounding cancer cells, alongside excellent tumor penetration.
■The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 11th that it will enhance its surveillance system by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) equipment to monitor the increased activity radius of mosquitoes and ticks due to rising average temperatures. The agency has established a 'Long-Term Plan for Surveillance and Control of Infectious Disease Vectors' (2025-2029) to address these concerns. The agency plans to apply its self-developed AI-based mosquito monitoring equipment (AI-DMS) to surveillance sites nationwide, increasing the number of monitoring points from 16 to over 30. Utilizing AI-DMS allows for automatic analysis of how many mosquitoes that carry infectious diseases have emerged within 24 hours. Previously, it took more than 7 days to collect mosquito trapping equipment and distinguish harmful species using a microscope.
■Dongsung Chemical announced on the 11th that it will participate as a demand company in the government-funded national project 'Development of GMP Large-Scale Production Process for Semaglutide Commercialization', supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Semaglutide is an active pharmaceutical ingredient for obesity and diabetes treatments, and its global demand is increasing due to recent reports of its effects on dementia and cardiovascular diseases. The total budget for the project is 8.4 billion won, of which 6.3 billion won is supported by the government. The project will be conducted in cooperation with PepTide, the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, BioPlus, and the Osong Medico-Technology Institute. Dongsung Chemical will be responsible for the verification and commercialization of the semaglutide production process.
■GC Genome announced on the 11th that it has entered the KOSDAQ market under the Technology Special Listing System. According to the company, GC Genome recorded a competitive ratio of 547.5 to 1 in its demand forecast due to active participation from high-quality foreign institutions, successfully securing its final public offering price at the upper end of the desired band, and recorded a subscription deposit of 25.415 billion won along with a competitive ratio of 484.1 in the subsequent general subscription. Established in 2013 as a subsidiary of GC Biopharma, GC Genome is a leading clinical genome analysis company that provides over 300 types of genetic testing services to more than 900 hospitals and clinics, including health examination tests, prenatal and newborn tests, cancer diagnosis tests, and precision diagnosis tests for genetic rare diseases. Major products include the multi-cancer early diagnosis 'iCancerch' and the country's number one prenatal test 'G-NIPT', and the funds raised through this listing will be used for research and development to expand cancer types and advance cancer treatment cycles.
■PharmaResearch announced on the 11th that it has launched the renewed 'Rejuran Synergy Booster 2 types', a cosmetics line specialized in hospital distribution. The 'Rejuran Synergy Booster' consists of two types: 'Skin Booster' for improving elasticity and 'Tone-Up Booster' focused on skin tone enhancement. Customizable use according to skin condition and improvement goals has increased its applicability in hospital settings. It contains 1.2% of the patented ingredient DOT c-PDRN, which aids in the recovery of damaged skin and is expected to provide complex skin improvement effects such as calming, elasticity, and whitening.
■Algenomics has passed the technical evaluation for its special listing on KOSDAQ and is set to initiate its initial public offering (IPO) procedures. The company announced on the 11th that it received A and A grades from two specialized evaluation institutions designated by the Korea Exchange during the technical evaluation. It plans to apply for a preliminary listing review in the second half of the year and aims to enter KOSDAQ in the first half of next year. Algenomics plans to utilize the 'Deep Tech' system for its special listing.
■Onconic Therapeutics announced on the 11th that it has signed a joint research and development contract with Celltrion for the combination therapy of its next-generation dual-action synthetic lethal anticancer drug candidate 'Nesuparib' and the anticancer biosimilar 'Vegzelma' (active ingredient: bevacizumab). Specific contract terms are not disclosed in accordance with the mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Nesuparib is a next-generation anticancer drug candidate that simultaneously inhibits the enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) involved in the DNA damage repair of cancer cells and Tankyrase, which affects the growth and progression of cancer. It has demonstrated significant anticancer effects through both single and combination clinical trials for various indications, including pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, and stomach cancer. It has received rare drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) twice. The 'Vegzelma' developed by Celltrion, to be used in combination, is currently sold in Europe and the U.S. as a treatment for metastatic colorectal and breast cancer.
■The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio Association announced on the 11th that it has held a 'Pharmaceutical and Bio Open House' with HK inno.N. About 60 attendees, including officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, participated in the event. The event took place in two sessions, morning and afternoon. In the morning, participants visited the intravenous fluid production facility at HK inno.N's Daeso plant in Eumseong, Chungbuk, and in the afternoon, all attendees moved to the Osong plant in Cheongju, Chungbuk, to tour the state-of-the-art intravenous fluid smart factory. The association noted, "The 2025 Open House is part of the 80th anniversary project of the association" and added, "it is designed to allow key stakeholders to directly experience the production sites of the pharmaceutical and bio industry."
■Medypharm Aesthetics Korea announced on the 11th that it has signed a business agreement with Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital to promote research and academic exchanges in the field of anti-aging treatments. This agreement aims to combine the expertise and capabilities of both institutions to contribute to the improvement of medical quality for patient safety and treatment efficacy in the rapidly growing field of anti-aging treatments. Specifically, the two institutions plan to carry out joint research on the efficacy and safety of anti-aging treatments in the medical field and conduct training on methods and clinical experiences of anti-aging treatments for medical institutions and personnel.
■Daewon Pharmaceutical announced on the 11th that it has been selected for the '2025 World-Class Plus Project', a global mid-sized enterprise development project organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The 'World-Class Plus Project' is a government-supported initiative that aims to identify and nurture mid-sized enterprises with growth potential and technical capabilities in 10 key industries and 26 items. The company plans to enhance its global competitiveness through the project by developing a platform technology for new peptide drugs for obesity treatments. In particular, it aims to surpass the currently marketed drugs Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) with the development of the next-generation obesity treatment. It plans to focus on developing drugs that enhance weight loss effects while reducing gastrointestinal side effects and muscle loss side effects, which are cited as major side effects of existing drugs.
■Dong-A Pharmaceutical announced on the 11th that its trouble care brand, PartyOn, is holding a 'Trouble Patrol Kit Giveaway Event' to coincide with the university student MT season. This event is an extension of the 'Trouble Patrol Competition' campaign that occurred during the university festival season, aimed at providing students with the opportunity to experience PartyOn's main products directly. Participation can be done by commenting on a post in PartyOn's official website 'Trouble Patrol'. Participants can submit various episodes occurring during MT, such as long-hidden talent shows or episodes of overdrinking, for a chance to win a 'Trouble Patrol Kit', which includes PartyOn's representative trouble care products like the NoScanaine Trouble Serum, Trouble Cream, and Cleansing Gel.
■Global healthcare company Olympus Korea announced on the 11th that it will launch its next-generation ultrasonic endoscopic processor 'EU-ME3' in South Korea. The product is set to be unveiled for the first time at the 'International Digestive Endoscopy Network Academic Conference (IDEN 2025)' taking place from the 12th to 14th. The EU-ME3 is an ultrasonic endoscopic (EUS) processor used for diagnosing lesions located deep within the body, such as the pancreas, bile ducts, and stomach, which are difficult to observe with standard endoscopes. By conducting ultrasound directly from within the body through the endoscope, it obtains clear images without interference from air or bone, allowing for clearer observation of the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts compared to standard ultrasound. Additionally, it enables real-time tissue and cytological examinations near the lesions, providing more accurate and safe diagnoses.
■Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital announced on the 11th that it will operate a KakaoTalk-based appointment service, 'CareChat', starting from the 12th to enhance the convenience of outpatients, inpatients, and their guardians. CareChat is an AI chatbot-based service that can be easily used by adding the 'Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital' channel within KakaoTalk, without the need for a separate app installation. Patients visiting the hospital can utilize major functions like appointment booking, changes or cancellations, checking appointment details, and proxy bookings through non-face-to-face interaction in KakaoTalk's chat window 24 hours a day. With the introduction of this service, patients will be able to easily choose departments and medical staff and quickly change or cancel appointments.
■Seoul Biohub announced on the 11th that the resident bio-medical startup Geronmed has been selected for the '2025 Industry-Academia Collaboration R&D (General Type)' project organized by the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Startups, in collaboration with Professor Yeo Im Joo of Korea University College of Medicine. Through this project, the two entities will jointly conduct research to validate the clinical efficacy and safety of a recombinant protein of soropsen for diagnosing degenerative brain diseases. Geronmed plans to scientifically validate the clinical efficacy and safety of the recombinant soropsen protein in animal models of degenerative brain diseases through this study. This initiative aims to expand its technical domain into degenerative brain diseases and further strengthen the commercialization foundation for in vitro diagnostic medical devices.
■Bio-platform company Next & Bio announced on the 11th that it has been selected for a national project titled 'Development of Nonclinical Efficacy Evaluation Technology for Advanced Biopharmaceuticals Based on Micro-Pathology Systems' led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and will commence joint research with GC Cell. The project aims to create a platform that accurately evaluates the efficacy of cell therapies in vitro using patient-derived organoids and micro-pathology systems (MPS). It plans to verify the effectiveness of CAR-NK cell therapies targeting difficult solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer and bile duct cancer by overcoming the limitations of existing animal model experiments. Organoids are 'in vitro culture models' obtained by three-dimensional cultivation of cells derived from patients' cancer tissues. MPS is a technology that mimics the tumor microenvironment (TME) essential for evaluating the efficacy of anticancer agents, allowing for close observation of the efficacy of immune cell-based anticancer drugs.
■CHA University announced on the 11th that it has been selected for the '2025 Gyeonggi Innovation-Centered University Support System (RISE)' project organized by the Gyeonggi Provincial Economic and Science Promotion Agency. CHA University is forming a consortium with Dongyang University under the 'CDU (CHA·Dongyang University) RISE Project' and has proposed regional customized talent development and plans for cooperation with the local community, being selected for the 'Regional Cluster Development' project. The two universities will receive a total of 10 billion won in project funds over five years from the Ministry of Education, along with an additional 480 million won from the local governments in the three thousand regions (Pocheon City, Dongducheon City, Yeoncheon County). CHA University plans to invest in establishing an industry-academia-research-hospital cooperation model with Dongyang University, fostering specialized talent in region-based industries, supporting value-up initiatives, and enhancing and upgrading regional innovation industry-academia-research networks and open entrepreneurship clusters.