Journalist

Park Bo-ram
  • Korean Pharma-Bio Brief: Dongkook, Daewon, Magok CHA Hospital, Huons, Alteogen
    Korean Pharma-Bio Brief: Dongkook, Daewon, Magok CHA Hospital, Huons, Alteogen Dongkook Pharmaceutical offers spring tips for allergic rhinitis and fatigue Dongkook Pharmaceutical, citing increased outdoor activity in spring, on the 12th suggested ways to help prevent allergic rhinitis symptoms and support energy and recovery from fatigue. Co&Tech, an ointment-type nasal barrier product, is an avoidance-therapy product made with medical-grade white soft paraffin that has completed biocompatibility testing. It helps form a protective layer on the nasal mucosa to block the penetration of allergens inhaled through the respiratory tract. For people feeling run down by a busy routine, the company said the over-the-counter Argishot Solution can help replenish energy. Arginine is an amino acid involved in vasodilation and improved blood flow and may help relieve fatigue and boost vitality. SenseOn Active Up, a premium supplement containing magnesium and active vitamins, may help with muscle relaxation and recovery from physical fatigue. It contains more than 350 mg of magnesium, the recommended daily intake, and includes 138 mg of active vitamin B1 (benfotiamine), described as an optimal daily intake level to improve bioavailability. For those needing faster recovery during outdoor activities, the company said SenseOn Speed Double Action Solution, sold in stick packs, can be taken conveniently. Daewon Pharmaceutical launches Liposomal Albumin King Daewon Pharmaceutical said on the 12th it has expanded its high-content Albumin King brand with the launch of Liposomal Albumin King, designed to improve absorption in the body. The product applies the company’s “liposome formulation technology,” which wraps nutrients in phospholipids similar to human cell membranes. The company said the approach helps deliver nutrients more stably and can increase absorption compared with conventional formulations. As its main ingredient, the product uses a 100% albumin complex that underwent strict quality control, the company said. Liposomal Albumin King contains 33,000 mg of high-protein formulation per bottle (ampoule) and keeps the liquid ampoule format that has been popular, it added. Magok CHA Hospital fertility center certified to attract foreign patients Magok CHA Hospital’s fertility center said on the 12th it received the Health and Welfare Ministry’s certification as a “medical institution for attracting foreign patients.” The certification is granted to institutions that meet standards for international medical capability, patient safety and service quality. The center operates a dedicated treatment area for international patients, called Building B. It provides one-on-one consultations and assigns professional interpreters to support tailored care. The hospital said it has a system for consultations in multiple languages, including English and Chinese, as well as Mongolian, Japanese and Russian. Medical staff provide specialized consultations and individualized treatment plans, while a global communication team supports the process in a one-stop service, from scheduling to linking consultations and tests and providing protocol services. The hospital also cited airport access and medical-tourism infrastructure as strengths. Huons wins IND approval for Phase 2 trial of dry-eye drug candidate HUC1-394 Huons said on the 12th it received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on March 11 for an investigational new drug application for a Phase 2 clinical trial of HUC1-394, a new drug candidate for dry eye disease. HUC1-394 is a peptide-based eye drop Huons licensed from Novacell Technology. The candidate selectively binds to and activates formyl peptide receptor 2, a receptor involved in the body’s inflammation-resolution process, the company said. By helping repair damaged tissue and improving keratoconjunctivitis, or inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, it is expected to address dry eye disease at its root, it added. Huons said it previously demonstrated safety and tolerability in a Phase 1 trial last year involving 60 healthy adults. No serious adverse events occurred after single and repeated dosing, the company said, providing sufficient basis for follow-up trials. With the Phase 2 plan approved, Huons will conduct a multicenter, randomized, double-blind (RCT) trial in 150 dry-eye patients at major medical institutions including Severance Hospital at Yonsei University College of Medicine. The study will assess safety and efficacy and explore the optimal dosing regimen. Alteogen registers U.S. patent for Keytruda SC composition; protection through early 2043 Alteogen said on the 12th it registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office a composition patent related to a subcutaneous Keytruda product that combines its Hybrozyme platform-based ALT-B4 (berahyaluronidase alfa) with Keytruda (pembrolizumab). Under the patent, the subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda using ALT-B4, marketed as Keytruda Qurex, will be protected in the United States until early 2043, or about 17 years, the company said. Keytruda Qurex received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September and is now sold in the United States, Alteogen said. The company said it can receive up to $1 billion in sales milestones based on annual and cumulative revenue, followed by sales-based royalties. Alteogen said the patent is part of its broader portfolio strategy to strengthen protection of the Hybrozyme platform, adding that the registration again confirms the novelty and proprietary invention of ALT-B4.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-12 17:18:00
  • Novo Nordisk to Cut Wegovy U.S. Wholesale Price Up to 50%, Raising Pressure on GLP-1 Rivals
    Novo Nordisk to Cut Wegovy U.S. Wholesale Price Up to 50%, Raising Pressure on GLP-1 Rivals Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy will see its U.S. wholesale acquisition cost cut to about half starting next year, a move that industry watchers say signals a shift toward price competition in the fast-growing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) market. According to the industry on Tuesday, the Danish drugmaker will reduce the WAC for Wegovy injections, oral Wegovy and the oral diabetes drug Rybelsus by 35% to 50% starting Jan. 1. The monthly list price for GLP-1 treatments will be adjusted to $675, about 1.01 million won, roughly half of Wegovy’s previous level. WAC is the wholesale list price before discounts and rebates. Because the U.S. government does not directly control drug prices, WAC serves as a benchmark for negotiations with insurers and wholesalers. A lower WAC can also pull down reference prices in other markets. The price cut is being read as a response to patent expirations and intensifying competition. Patents on semaglutide, Wegovy’s key ingredient, are set to expire starting this month in countries including China, India and Brazil. With China-developed drugs and low-cost generics coming into view, the company appears to be moving early to defend market share. The GLP-1 obesity-drug market is expanding rapidly. It is estimated at about $72 billion, about 107 trillion won, and is projected to reach $139 billion, about 206 trillion won, by 2030. Still, some in the industry caution that a larger market does not necessarily translate into higher profits. “For example, the toxin market grew, but cutthroat competition among companies only intensified,” one industry official said. Competition is also becoming more complex as GLP-1 treatments, long dominated by injections, expand into oral formulations. Some analysts describe the shift as a transition from high-priced breakthrough therapies to more widely used treatments. The price pressure is expected to weigh on South Korean companies as well. Among domestic GLP-1 obesity candidates, Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s efpeglenatide is considered the most advanced, with the company aiming for a launch in the second half of this year. Other obesity drugs under development in South Korea are largely in Phase 1 or Phase 2 trials. If global benchmark prices fall, domestic new drugs are likely to face added pressure in pricing. Recovering clinical costs that can run into the trillions of won would require sharply higher sales volumes, but late entrants may struggle to win market share quickly. “Even if latecomers enter, profitability could drop sharply in an already lower global pricing environment,” another industry official said, adding that differentiation such as improved formulations or fewer side effects will be needed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 18:33:00
  • Gout Isn’t Just a ‘Rich Man’s Disease’: Common Myths and What Drives Risk
    Gout Isn’t Just a ‘Rich Man’s Disease’: Common Myths and What Drives Risk "I can’t even put my foot on the ground." Gout patients say it often, and the pain can be so intense that the old line about it hurting even when a breeze brushes by does not feel like an exaggeration. Because the Korean name includes the character for “wind,” some people confuse it with stroke, but gout is a different disease caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism. Gout was once called the “emperor’s disease” or a “rich man’s disease,” because it was common among royals and aristocrats who could afford plentiful meat and alcohol. Fatty foods and frequent drinking were once symbols of privilege, and gout was seen as a byproduct of that lifestyle. That has changed. With Westernized diets, drinking culture and increased fructose intake, gout is no longer limited to any one group and can affect anyone. The number of patients has risen. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of gout patients in South Korea increased by more than 18% to about 500,000 in 2022 from about 430,000 in 2018. The fastest growth rate was among people in their 20s and 30s, with analyses linking the increase to heavy drinking and high-fat, high-protein diets among younger adults. Gout begins with uric acid. After food is metabolized, uric acid is produced and is usually excreted in urine through the kidneys. When the kidneys cannot filter enough of it, the concentration of uric acid in the blood rises. When blood uric acid exceeds a certain level, it can no longer stay dissolved and turns into sharp, needle-like crystals. These crystals can deposit in areas with slower circulation, such as the big toe, ankle and knee. The immune system treats them as foreign material, triggering inflammation and severe pain. Uric acid does not stay in the foot. It can spread to multiple joints, including the knee, wrist and fingers, and can also affect the kidneys and blood vessels, raising the risk of kidney disease. Lee Ju-ha, a professor of rheumatology at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital at the Catholic University of Korea, said gout mainly occurs in the big toe or ankle but can later appear in the upper body as well. If high levels of uric acid crystals persist, she said, visible lumps of uric acid crystal deposits can sometimes be seen. Another problem is the belief that gout is a brief, one-off illness. When medication eases the pain, many people assume treatment is over. But gout is a chronic disease that requires ongoing management. It often recurs and is closely linked to other metabolic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Misconceptions are common. One is the idea that avoiding beer is enough, or that switching from beer to soju is safe. While beer yeast contains many purines, alcohol increases uric acid regardless of type. What matters is not the kind of alcohol but how much is consumed. Cutting back on alcohol is not the only concern. Liquid fructose in sodas and juices can promote uric acid production as the liver metabolizes it. One study found that people who drink two or more sugary beverages a day had about an 85% higher risk of gout than those who do not. There is also confusion about pain relief. If you are unsure whether to use cold or heat, remember: cold compresses during an acute flare. When a joint is swollen and warm, cold is the rule because it constricts blood vessels and can help reduce inflammation. Ice should be wrapped in a towel and used for no more than 15 to 20 minutes. Heat during this period can worsen inflammation. After swelling subsides in the chronic phase, warm compresses may help circulation. If gout is not caused by other medications or diseases, Lee said, patients need sustained management, including maintaining a healthy weight and limiting foods that increase uric acid production. Exercise and dietary control to keep an appropriate weight can help, she said. Diet choices can also matter. Foods low in purines may help, but not all vegetables are low in purines. Spinach, asparagus and mushrooms are relatively high among vegetables. Oats, often considered a health food, are not an exception. For uric acid management, white rice may be less burdensome than brown rice or oats. Foods known to be high in purines include organ meats, oily fish and shellfish.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 17:03:00
  • Dong-A Pharma launches oral spray for infants; Centellian24 debuts Japan limited set; HK inno.N deal; Severance study
    Dong-A Pharma launches oral spray for infants; Centellian24 debuts Japan limited set; HK inno.N deal; Severance study Dong-A Pharmaceutical launches ‘Champu Oral Spray’ for infants and young children Dong-A Pharmaceutical said March 10 it has launched “Champu Oral Spray,” which can be used starting in infancy. The main ingredient is benzydamine hydrochloride, which the company said may help ease inflammation of the throat, mouth and gums and help relieve pain before and after tooth extraction. It can be used by infants and young children under age 6. The spray is used 2 to 6 times a day, with the recommended number of sprays varying by age. To improve adherence among young children, the product has a strawberry flavor, and the packaging uses a panda character to create a familiar look. Dongkook Pharmaceutical’s Centellian24 to debut limited ‘Madeca PDRN Sakura Package’ on Japan’s Qoo10 Dongkook Pharmaceutical’s dermacosmetic brand Centellian24 said March 10 it will introduce a limited-edition “Madeca PDRN Sakura Package.” The set includes four products: Madeca Cream Active Renew PDRN, 360-degree PDRN serum, 360-degree PDRN eye cream, and 360-degree PDRN eye patch. The limited edition centers on popular items from Centellian24’s PDRN line. It will be unveiled during Qoo10’s “Mega Wari” discount event in Japan, which runs through March 11, and will also be available for purchase through Qoo10’s live broadcast starting at 8 p.m. HK inno.N, Tanabe Pharma Korea sign co-promotion deal for anemia drug Badanem HK inno.N said March 10 it held a signing ceremony with Tanabe Pharma Korea for a domestic co-promotion agreement for Badanem tablets (vadadustat), a new drug for renal anemia. Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly handle sales and marketing in South Korea. They will share responsibility for medical institutions with more than 100 beds, while HK inno.N will manage those with 100 beds or fewer. HK inno.N will also exclusively distribute the product domestically, citing its experience selling kidney-disease products and its nationwide sales network. Badanem is an oral treatment used to treat anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease who are receiving dialysis. It is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor. It comes in 150 mg and 300 mg doses and is taken once daily. Higher continuity of care tied to lower deaths and cardio-cerebrovascular disease, Severance team says A research team led by Kang Hee-taek, a professor of family medicine at Severance Hospital, and Shim Jae-yong, a professor of family medicine at Gangnam Severance Hospital, said March 10 that greater continuity of care in patients with hypertension or diabetes can reduce medical spending, cardiovascular disease incidence and the risk of death. The findings suggest that, in managing chronic disease, maintaining an ongoing treatment relationship with a specific medical institution matters more for health outcomes and cost savings than the number of medical visits. The results were published in the latest issue of the international journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. The team treated “continuity of care” — the extent to which a patient consistently receives care from the same institution or clinician — as a key indicator in chronic-disease management and examined how it relates to real-world outcomes. In patients with hypertension, those with higher continuity of care had fewer hospitalizations among both men and women, and women also had fewer emergency room visits. Total hypertension-related medical costs, costs per visit and annual medical costs all tended to be lower in the high-continuity group. Differences were especially clear in the risk of cardiovascular disease, and similar results were found among patients with diabetes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 17:30:00
  • Korean Drugmakers Face Key Votes, Board Picks and New Business Plans at Annual Meetings
    Korean Drugmakers Face Key Votes, Board Picks and New Business Plans at Annual Meetings South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry is heading into annual shareholders meeting season later this month, with votes expected to go beyond routine reporting of last year’s results and focus on management stability and business direction. Industry officials said major drugmakers will begin meetings on March 20, including Yuhan Corp. and Dongkook Pharmaceutical, with sessions continuing through the end of the month. March 26 is set to be a “super meeting day” for several companies, including GC Green Cross, Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Dong-A Socio Holdings. Boryung is scheduled to hold its meeting on March 31. Hanmi Pharmaceutical is drawing particular attention, with the key issue being whether CEO Park Jae-hyun will be reappointed. With a conflict structure continuing among Chairwoman Song Young-sook, the wife of late founder Lim Seong-gi, CEO Park and major shareholder Shin Dong-kook, chairman of Hanyang Precision, a proxy fight at the meeting is seen as likely. The outcome is expected to help determine effective control of management, while votes from minority shareholders and third parties such as the National Pension Service are also viewed as variables. The industry is also watching Dongwha Pharmaceutical, where an agenda item has been submitted to appoint Woo Byung-woo as an audit committee member. Market views are mixed because he lacks experience in pharmaceutical management and research and development, though some analysts describe the move as a strategic choice to strengthen legal risk management and internal controls in a heavily regulated industry. Daewoong Pharmaceutical nominated Choi In-hyuk, head of tech business at Naver, as an outside director candidate. He is an IT specialist who has worked at Samsung SDS and Naver Financial, and the nomination is seen as aligned with Daewoong’s push to expand digital health care. Companies are also lining up to amend their articles of incorporation to broaden business purposes. Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to add “solar power generation,” Dong-A ST will add “car wash operations,” and JW Pharmaceutical will add “investment and management advisory and consulting.” The moves are being read as efforts to secure steadier revenue sources beyond new drug development. “With pressure to cut drug prices and rising R&D costs, these shareholders meetings will be a place to gauge each company’s mid- to long-term strategy,” an industry official said. “There is a clear push to pursue management stability, strengthen core competitiveness and expand new businesses at the same time.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 11:24:00
  • Daewoong Sees Early Signal for UDCA in Long COVID; Celltrion, Lotte Bio, JW, Hugel Updates
    Daewoong Sees Early Signal for UDCA in Long COVID; Celltrion, Lotte Bio, JW, Hugel Updates Daewoong Pharmaceutical says UDCA shows improvement signal in early long COVID patients Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Monday that ursodeoxycholic acid, or UDCA, the main ingredient in its Urusa product, showed an improvement signal among long COVID patients who were 2 to 6 months past infection. The findings were posted online March 3, Eastern time, in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. In that 2-to-6-month group, 81.6% of patients receiving UDCA showed symptom improvement, significantly higher than 57.1% in the placebo group. By simple comparison, that was about 43% higher than placebo, the company said. No such improvement signal was seen in patients more than 6 months after infection. The results suggest the importance of timing in long COVID treatment and, in an exploratory way, point to the potential for drug intervention earlier after infection. Researchers also conducted immune analyses to examine inflammatory changes. Among patients whose symptoms improved, inflammation-related markers tended to decline, and the pattern was more pronounced in the 2-to-6-month group. The researchers said additional analysis is needed to determine whether the inflammation changes reflect a drug effect. JW Pharmaceutical holds ‘J-Cle’ symposium at Korean gastroenterology endoscopy meeting JW Pharmaceutical said Monday it held a symposium on its bowel-cleansing agent J-Cle at the 47th Spring Scientific Meeting of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, held March 8 at Lotte Hotel Seoul in the Sogong-dong area of Seoul. Park Su-beom, a professor in the gastroenterology department at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, presented Phase 3 results for J-Cle and discussed how it can be used for preparation before colonoscopy. J-Cle is a prescription drug taken to cleanse the colon before tests such as endoscopy and X-ray imaging. JW said the total dose is 20 tablets, and the film-coated tablets are designed to be easier to swallow. The company said powder or liquid bowel preps can cause adverse reactions such as nausea and headaches during dosing, increasing patient burden or reducing test accuracy, while tablet formulations can reduce adverse reactions and improve convenience. J-Cle contains magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate and sodium sulfate, which act as osmotic laxatives, along with simethicone to reduce foam in the colon and sodium picosulfate to promote bowel movement. Park said that, based on Phase 3 results, J-Cle showed bowel-cleansing efficacy comparable to the control group, with features related to safety and medication adherence. Celltrion says Remsima leads market share in major Asian countries Celltrion said Monday that its flagship treatment Remsima, whose active ingredient is infliximab, has demonstrated prescription performance in Asia with a dominant market share. Citing IQVIA, Celltrion said Remsima held the top prescription share as of the third quarter of last year, with 93% in Singapore, 77% in Hong Kong, 73% in Thailand and 65% in Malaysia. Another autoimmune disease treatment, Yuflyma, whose active ingredient is adalimumab, rose to No. 2 in Singapore, surpassing the original product, the company said. Celltrion said its local subsidiaries have increased bid-win rates in Asia’s tender-driven markets by emphasizing supply stability. In Thailand, the company said its local unit has built long-term cooperation with all university hospitals, which has helped win recognition for the quality competitiveness of key products including Remsima, Truxima and Herzuma. Celltrion said the three products are used exclusively at all university hospitals there. The company said it plans to expand its product portfolio in Asia based on the performance of its existing lineup. Lotte Biologics to attend DCAT Week in New York Lotte Biologics said Monday it will participate in DCAT Week 2026, a global pharmaceutical and biotech business event, to be held March 23-26 in New York. DCAT Week is an annual international networking event in New York where global drugmakers and contract development and manufacturing organizations, or CDMOs, seek collaboration opportunities. Lotte Biologics said it will operate a dedicated meeting room at the Lotte New York Palace hotel during the event and pursue partnerships for its global CDMO business, including in North America. The company said it will highlight synergies between the quality competitiveness of its Syracuse Bio Campus in New York and the large-scale production capacity of the first plant at its Incheon Songdo Bio Campus, which is scheduled for completion in August. Hugel and Korean anti-aging dermatology society set annual collaboration Hugel said Monday it will work with the Korean Academy of Anti-Aging Dermatology, or KAAD, on an annual collaboration aimed at establishing global standards for botulinum toxin procedures and strengthening clinician education. Hugel said it held the ‘Hugel X Korean Academy of Anti-Aging Dermatology Academic Collaboration Kickoff Meeting’ on March 6 at the Westin Josun Seoul Parnas, where the sides discussed developing treatment protocols for its botulinum toxin product Botulax, exported as Letybo, and plans for global webinars. The two sides agreed to hold five global webinars every other month from April through December. Each session will include a lecture, live demonstration and Q&A. Hugel said real-time subtitles in English and Chinese will be provided for the convenience of clinicians worldwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 17:45:00
  • Korea Tightens Delisting Rules, Raising Risks for Low-Priced Pharma Stocks
    Korea Tightens Delisting Rules, Raising Risks for Low-Priced Pharma Stocks Tighter delisting requirements are heightening anxiety across South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech sector, particularly among smaller drugmakers that have posted losses for years and now trade below 1,000 won a share. Industry officials said March 5 that starting in July, any stock that stays below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive trading days will be designated an “issue for administration.” If it then fails to recover for at least 45 trading days within 90 days, it must enter delisting procedures. The single-price threshold effectively strengthens oversight of so-called “penny stocks.” Joa Pharmaceutical and Kyungnam Pharmaceutical are among companies currently trading below 1,000 won per share. Drugmakers typically must invest in research and development before generating revenue from successful commercialization. New-drug development generally requires spending more than 10% to 15% of sales on R&D, and shares often plunge when planned technology-transfer deals fall through. That makes it difficult to judge companies solely on short-term earnings or price-to-earnings ratios, industry officials said. “The pharmaceutical business has characteristics that make it hard to evaluate only by short-term performance or PER,” one industry official said. “We need to consider whether a single standard like share price sufficiently reflects a company’s intrinsic value.” Others argue the risks are not only structural. Some companies have accumulated firm-specific problems such as aging brands, a lack of new growth engines and unstable management, another industry official said. “Companies that failed to move beyond brand dependence or delayed restructuring will be hit hardest by the tighter rules,” the official said. Joa Pharmaceutical has posted losses for seven straight years. Its business is weighted toward over-the-counter drugs and relies on a pharmacy sales network. It operates a network through its subsidiary Medipharm, which runs about 1,000 franchised pharmacies nationwide, but it has not shown clear results in securing new growth drivers, according to the assessment in the industry.Kyungnam Pharmaceutical has strong brand recognition centered on its vitamin C product Lemona. But its revenue is concentrated in a single brand, a structural limitation often cited. The company has recently expanded its inner-beauty product lineup, but a new growth engine that could replace Lemona has yet to take hold. Repeated management changes and recurring talk of a sale have also weighed on investor sentiment. Its largest shareholder, Humasis, also trades below 1,000 won, and market concerns about financial stability have not fully eased. Some in the industry said the new rules could become a turning point that separates stronger and weaker smaller drugmakers. Even accounting for the R&D-heavy nature of the sector, the market is demanding both financial soundness and credible growth strategies, they said. “The intent is reasonable as a warning to companies that have settled for the domestic market,” one official said. “The market will more strictly distinguish between companies with innovation capabilities and those without.” Still, some observers said a wave of delistings is unlikely. They expect selective restructuring or consolidation through mergers and acquisitions rather than broad removals. “Considering the market impact, a phased cleanup is more realistic than blanket delistings,” an industry official said. With profitability pressured by factors such as drug price cuts, companies may look to M&A for synergies or shift into higher-margin areas such as health functional foods, the official said. “If management stabilizes and R&D results become visible, it could be a turning point for corporate value,” the official added.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 16:36:10
  • ABL Bio to Join East-West Biopharma Summit; Dongkook Launches Centellian24 Ampoule; Medytox Promotions
    ABL Bio to Join East-West Biopharma Summit; Dongkook Launches Centellian24 Ampoule; Medytox Promotions ABL Bio to attend East-West Biopharma Summit ABL Bio said March 5 it will attend the 5th East-West Biopharma Summit: Seoul, set for March 9-11. The event is co-hosted by global biotech publication BioCentury and biopharma executive network BayHelix, with McKinsey & Company participating as an insights partner. The summit brings together pharmaceutical and biotech industry officials to share insights on global markets and explore new business opportunities. Companies expected to attend include Eli Lilly, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck (MSD) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). ABL Bio CEO Lee Sang-hoon is scheduled to join the “Deal Maker Showcase” session on March 10 as a panelist. He plans to discuss key strategies for successful technology-transfer deals with global companies, along with lessons learned from negotiations, including missteps. The company said it also plans business development talks with global firms and will seek partnership opportunities. Dongkook Pharmaceutical launches Centellian24 ‘Expert Madeca Mela Capture Toning Shot Ampoule’ Dongkook Pharmaceutical said March 5 it will release a new “mela-proof” ampoule under its dermacosmetic brand Centellian24, called the “Expert Madeca Mela Capture Toning Shot Ampoule.” The company said the product is the latest version of its “Expert Madeca Mela Capture Ampoule,” which has sold more than 21 million units cumulatively since its 2019 launch. The new product applies a “mela-proof” solution designed to manage multiple factors that accelerate melanin production. The company said it showed results indicating skin temperature dropped by about 6.68 degrees Celsius immediately after use, and it was designed to address melanin concerns linked to ultraviolet exposure and skin heat. Dongkook said it combined its key ingredient, a standardized extract of Centella asiatica (TECA), with its patented melanin-related ingredient “MELA-WHITE,” and applied a three-step ultra-low-temperature cooling method, “Mela Freeze,” that goes down to minus 120 degrees Celsius. The company said the resulting proprietary ingredient, “SNOW-TECA,” is included at 20,000 ppm. Medytox group carries out 2026 promotions Medytox said March 5 it carried out employee promotions for 2026. In the reshuffle, Kim Hak-woo was promoted from director to managing director. The company said Kim earned a master’s degree from Yonsei University and has worked at Medytox for 25 years, overseeing operations at the Osong Plant 3 and the Ochang Plant 1. Kim Min-ju, a department head at affiliate Newmeco, was also promoted to director. Medytox Group said a total of 114 employees were promoted across research, production, sales, clinical, regulatory affairs and management functions for strong performance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 16:33:00
  • Hair-Loss Drug Market Grows as Companies Race to Develop Longer-Lasting Treatments
    Hair-Loss Drug Market Grows as Companies Race to Develop Longer-Lasting Treatments The hair-loss treatment market is expanding rapidly, and drugmakers are stepping up efforts to develop new medicines that address the limits of existing therapies. With options narrowed by the burden of long-term daily use, side-effect concerns and restrictions by sex, demand is rising for safer, more sustainable treatments. According to global research firm Research Nester, the hair-loss drug market is projected to grow from $11.44 billion in 2025 to $33.07 billion in 2035. Population aging and greater interest in appearance are cited as key drivers. Even so, treatment choices in clinics remain limited. The most widely used therapies are oral finasteride and dutasteride and topical minoxidil. Finasteride and dutasteride work by suppressing DHT, a male hormone linked to hair loss, but their use is restricted for women of childbearing age. Patients also face the burden of taking the drugs daily. To overcome those constraints, companies are pursuing drugs that target new pathways beyond hormone suppression, as well as long-acting formulations designed to sharply reduce dosing frequency. JW Pharmaceutical is developing JW0061, a first-in-class candidate involved in the proliferation of hair follicle cells. Because it does not directly suppress hormones, it could also be used for women. Development of injectable treatments aimed at improving convenience is also accelerating. Chong Kun Dang is developing CKD-843, an improved drug that converts oral dutasteride into an intramuscular injection given once every three months. Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Inventage Lab are jointly developing IVL3001, a long-acting injectable based on oral finasteride, designed for monthly dosing with effects lasting up to three months. Expectations have also risen after discussions resurfaced on reviewing national health insurance coverage for hair-loss drugs, following an instruction by President Lee Jae-myung. Still, analysts say the market outlook should distinguish between conditions: receding-hairline and crown hair loss are hormone-related cosmetic conditions, while alopecia areata stems from immune-system abnormalities and requires a different approach. Alopecia areata patients worldwide are estimated at about 147 million. With more young patients, surveys show 40% of men experience some level of hair loss by age 35. In South Korea, Eli Lilly’s Olumiant (baricitinib) is approved, but patients face heavy costs because it is not covered under the special reimbursement program. Kim Hyun-jung, a dermatology professor at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said severe alopecia areata is a condition in which immune cells attack hair follicles, making Janus kinase, or JAK, inhibitors essential. She added that studies have also reported benefits from a JAK inhibitor with a different mechanism, upadacitinib, in patients who did not respond to existing treatments. “It should not stop at a single drug,” she said, calling for the entry of more follow-on medicines alongside reimbursement discussions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 17:57:00
  • Boryung Licenses Blood Cancer Drug Xpovio; Dong-A, Daewoong and GC Wellbeing Updates
    Boryung Licenses Blood Cancer Drug Xpovio; Dong-A, Daewoong and GC Wellbeing Updates Boryung signs license-in deal for blood cancer drug Xpovio Boryung said Tuesday it has signed a license-in agreement with Antengene, a China-based oncology drug developer, for the blood cancer drug Xpovio (selinexor). Under the deal, Boryung secured exclusive rights in South Korea, including sales, distribution and regulatory approval. The company began full-scale domestic supply in February. Xpovio, developed by Antengene, is a treatment for multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It is described as the world’s first-in-class selective inhibitor of XPO1, a nuclear export protein. By inhibiting nuclear export, tumor suppressor and growth-regulating proteins are retained in the cell nucleus, where they accumulate and activate, inducing cancer cell death. Multiple myeloma often becomes resistant to existing drugs as treatment continues, creating demand for therapies with different mechanisms. Boryung said Xpovio is drawing attention as an additional option for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have limited choices. It is an oral formulation, not an injection, which can improve convenience for long-term treatment. Xpovio is reimbursed for combination therapy with dexamethasone for fifth-line or later treatment. Starting March 1, reimbursement was also expanded to combination therapy with bortezomib and dexamethasone for second-line or later treatment. Dong-A Pharm launches Panpyrin Time powder cold medicine that dissolves without water Dong-A Pharm said Tuesday it has launched Panpyrin Time powder, a cold medicine designed to dissolve in the mouth without water. The powder can be taken anytime and anywhere when cold symptoms appear, the company said. It contains acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, riboflavin, tipepidine and DL-methylephedrine, which it said may help relieve runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough and muscle aches. Dong-A Pharm said it does not add sugar, coloring, caffeine or preservatives, and includes vitamin B2 to help support recovery from cold symptoms. The product applies the company’s patented OD!FS formulation technology, designed to dissolve quickly with a small amount of saliva. Dong-A Pharm said it uses a fine-particle structure and special surface treatment to minimize bitterness, and adds a lemon flavor. The stick-type powder is designed for portability and can be taken by people ages 2 and older, including seniors, the company said. Daewoong says Phase 3 results for CleanCol tablets published in SCI-indexed journal Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Tuesday that Phase 3 results for its next-generation tablet bowel preparation, CleanCol, were published in the SCI-indexed World Journal of Gastroenterology. Daewoong said CleanCol reduces sulfate ingredients by 25% compared with existing products and cuts the number of tablets to 20 to ease the burden of dosing. It also adds picosulfate, an ingredient that helps promote bowel movements. In the study, CleanCol maintained a similar level of bowel-cleansing efficacy compared with an existing bowel preparation, the company said. The overall rate of adverse drug reactions was significantly lower at 18.10% for CleanCol, compared with 33.02% for the existing bowel preparation. The paper was based on a multicenter, randomized Phase 3 trial involving 215 adults at seven university hospitals in South Korea. Principal investigator Park Dong-il, a professor at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, said, “It will help reduce the burden patients experience during colonoscopy preparation and improve medication adherence.” GC Wellbeing receives Chungcheongbuk-do governor’s citation for fire response GC Wellbeing said Tuesday it received a citation from the governor of Chungcheongbuk-do for helping prevent the spread of a fire and supporting firefighting efforts. The award was presented at a ceremony held Monday at the provincial government complex. The company said the citation formally recognizes its disaster-response efforts during a fire at the Hybaro plant. Chungcheongbuk-do Gov. Kim Young-hwan presented the award to Park Dong-hwan, head of production at GC Wellbeing, according to the company. GC Wellbeing said it did not suffer direct facility damage from the fire, but incurred losses from suspended operations, lost workdays, and disposal costs for raw and subsidiary materials. The province highly evaluated the company’s proactive response to help protect community safety and its close cooperation with the public response system, it said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 17:48:00