Samsung Bioepis announced on the 1st that it will launch the osteoporosis treatment for menopausal women, Obodence (ingredient name denosumab), in the domestic market in partnership with Hanmi Pharmaceutical. Obodence is a biosimilar of the blockbuster drug Prolia, developed by Amgen, and received product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in April. In March, Samsung Bioepis and Hanmi Pharmaceutical signed a marketing partnership agreement, with Samsung Bioepis handling product production and supply, while both companies will jointly carry out marketing and sales activities. The price of Obodence is listed at 108,290 won (based on 60 mg/1 ml), which is about 13% cheaper than the original drug. Obodence particularly reduces injection pain with its convenience of in-hospital storage and the use of a thin 29G gauge needle. It has secured clinical equivalence with the original drug and received product approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission (EC) in February.
Celltrion Pharm announced on the 1st that it has launched the diabetes treatment, Nesina Met Tablet (ingredient names alogliptin and metformin), in the domestic market. Nesina Met Tablet is a combination drug made from the main ingredients for diabetes treatment: alogliptin and metformin. Alogliptin improves blood sugar control by inhibiting the enzyme DPP-4, which degrades incretin, which is important for blood sugar regulation, while metformin prevents glucose production in the liver and improves insulin resistance. Notably, Nesina Met Tablet is a sustained-release formulation that enhances convenience by allowing the medication to be taken once a day, instead of the typical multiple doses of fast-acting metformin.
LG CHEM announced on the 1st that it will change the product name of its collagen-based tissue supplement for knee osteoarthritis patients, CartiZol Extra, to ‘Razean Extra’ and will integrate branding with its existing products ‘Razean Balance’ and ‘Razean Classic.’ ‘Razean’ is LG CHEM’s unique brand name, conveying the message of making joints comfortable with collagen. ‘Razean Extra’ is a bi-formed product that can be administered up to two times within six months, while ‘Razean Balance’ is a tri-formed product, and ‘Razean Classic’ is a penta-formed product. Through this brand integration and renewal, LG CHEM aims to build a differentiated image in the rapidly expanding osteoarthritis medical device market and maintain a consistent customer-centered brand identity.
JW Pharmaceutical announced on the 1st that it has launched the treatment for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Tavalisse (ingredient name fostamatinib). Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks platelets as if they were viruses, leading to a decrease in platelet counts. Symptoms can include bruising or bleeding and, in severe cases, brain hemorrhaging or gastrointestinal bleeding. Tavalisse is an oral first-in-class innovative drug that inhibits spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) to prevent platelet destruction by macrophages. By activating and inhibiting immune responses through Fc gamma receptor activation, it blocks the process of ITP occurring via SYK, effectively improving the bleeding symptoms and platelet reduction issues faced by ITP patients.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 1st that it held a vision campaign for preventing blindness during the ’2025 Port Village Busan' event held at Busan Port’s No. 1 Pier in June, providing eye disease testing to over 1,000 Busan citizens using digital healthcare devices. This campaign was organized to contribute to the health and quality of life of Busan citizens through early detection of eye diseases and experiences in digital healthcare technology in retinal examinations. Approximately 10,000 people visited the Daewoong Pharmaceutical booth during the four-day event. Port Village is a large-scale marine cultural event jointly organized by Busan City and the Busan Port Authority (BPA), featuring a city-style lifestyle festival that integrates eco-friendliness, cultural arts, ESG technology, and global exchanges.
Pharos iBio announced on the 1st that it has received the final Clinical Study Report (CSR) for PHI-101, a next-generation acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment in development. With the acquisition of this CSR, key data for technology transfer has been officially secured, and partnerships and licensing negotiations with global pharmaceutical companies are expected to accelerate. According to the final results report, PHI-101 has been confirmed to show safety, tolerability, and treatment efficacy in AML patients who became resistant to or relapsed from existing approved therapies. The company plans to advance to global clinical trial phase 2 for PHI-101.
Genolution announced on the 1st that it has applied for a domestic patent for a crop protection formulation based on RNA interference (RNAi) that precisely targets the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), which harms major crops like chili peppers, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. This patent is based on the precise analysis of the TSWV genome sequence, designing and synthesizing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that exhibits excellent RNAi effects, and systematically proving the virus inhibiting effects through infection tests. Genolution plans to actively advance practical experiments and international market entry targeting major crops like chili peppers and peppers through cooperation with domestic crop protection specialists.
Seers Technology, a wearable AI diagnostic monitoring company, announced on the 1st that it has launched a seminar on the electrocardiogram analysis service ‘mobiCARE’ in strategic collaboration with Dr. Mungun, head of the Mongolia National Cardiovascular Center, and has begun practical applications for entering the Mongolian market with its real-time monitoring solution ‘thynC.’ Seers started the mobiCARE service in Mongolia from the end of 2023. This move is not merely about exploring foreign markets but is a strategic operation aimed at seizing opportunities in countries with inadequate medical infrastructure. Mongolia is seen as a microcosm of many emerging markets with similar healthcare environments in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa, and success here is expected to serve as a blueprint for global expansion.
Dong-A ST announced on the 1st that it has published its first Sustainability Management Report, ‘ON,’ which includes its sustainability management strategy, key activities, and achievements for the year 2024. The report title ‘ON’ means ‘all’ and ’100′ in pure Korean, while it denotes warmth in Chinese characters and continuation in English. To prepare this report, Dong-A ST performed a dual materiality assessment targeting stakeholders, analyzing the impacts of corporate activities on society and the environment, and how social and environmental factors affect financial performance.
Yuhan Corporation announced on the 1st that it has published a sustainability management report titled ‘PROGRESS AND INTEGRITY,’ which includes its performance and plans across environment (E), social (S), and governance (G) factors. Since 2022, Yuhan Corporation has been regularly publishing sustainability management reports for transparent communication with stakeholders. This year’s report includes achievements in R&D such as exceeding 2 trillion won in sales, and approvals for the LecaZa combination therapy from the U.S. FDA and European Medicines Agency, as well as the establishment of an ESG committee to improve governance and key sustainability management activities, including climate change response and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, Yuhan Corporation disclosed specific activities and achievements for 15 important issues, including R&D enhancement, ethical and compliance management, talent development, board operation, and health and safety.
GC Care, the number one company in customized healthcare services, announced on the 1st that it will participate in the ‘Smart Safety and Health Expo (KISS 2025)’ to be held at KINTEX in Goyang from July 7-10. At this exhibition, GC Care will showcase its customized health management solutions based on its smart healthcare platform ‘Ottocare,’ which integrates services from health check-ups to health promotion, under the slogan ‘No. 1 employee health management, GC Care.’ Ottocare is an employee-exclusive health management app that has obtained ISMS-P certification, the highest level of security in South Korea, providing services from appointment booking for health check-ups through result confirmation to management of health concerns and participation in tailored health promotion programs.
CGBIO, a company specializing in bio regenerative medicine, announced on the 1st that it has launched ‘SENTIS,’ a toothpaste for sensitive teeth that applies the newly developed functional ingredient ‘nano hydroxyapatite (n-Cap).’ SENTIS is designed to effectively alleviate pain associated with sensitive teeth based on the principle of ‘sealing dentinal tubules’ to protect the tooth’s internal nerves from external stimuli. The core ingredient, nano hydroxyapatite, improves sensitivity directly by coating the tooth surface, unlike potassium nitrate or sodium fluoride that were previously used in sensitivity toothpaste, promising superior sensitivity improvement effects compared to other products.
PharmaResearch announced on the 1st that it has launched ‘Evercle,’ a PLLA-based biostimulator that induces self-collagen production. The main ingredient of Evercle, PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), stimulates fibroblasts in aging skin to promote collagen production. It gradually breaks down in the body over time, helping temporarily improve facial wrinkles. The product is divided into two types: ‘Evercle’ and ‘Evercle V,’ depending on the treatment area and purpose, allowing for customized treatments based on individual skin conditions.
Merz Aesthetics Korea recently announced on 1st that it successfully held a grand launching symposium to celebrate the domestic launch of the next-generation ultrasound lifting device “Ultherapy PRIME® (focused ultrasound stimulation system medical device).” This event marked the official introduction of Ultherapy PRIME™, which inherits the unique technology of Ultherapy®.
AbbVie Korea announced on the 1st that it has launched XEN 63 (XEN 63), a new option for treating glaucoma in patients whose intraocular pressure is not controlled by previous glaucoma surgery or existing drug treatments. The XEN Gel Implant (XEN Gel Implant) is a small gelatin tube that creates a new drainage pathway to reduce intraocular pressure by allowing aqueous humor to flow outside the eyeball. Primary treatments for glaucoma typically involve medication, but a study on 1,046 glaucoma patients in Korea found that approximately 27.4% of patients do not properly use prescribed medications, indicating lower patient adherence and increasing the risk of disease progression or vision loss.