Journalist

Park Bo-ram
  • Korea FDA Visits Functional Cosmetics R&D Site; Firms Report on Disinfectant, OTC Misuse, Patent Transfer
    Korea FDA Visits Functional Cosmetics R&D Site; Firms Report on Disinfectant, OTC Misuse, Patent Transfer MFDS visits functional cosmetics R&D site to speed product rollout Kang Seok-yeon, head of the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, visited the central research institute of cosmetics contract manufacturer Cosmecca Korea and held a meeting with industry representatives, the institute said Tuesday. The visit reviewed development and quality-research facilities for functional cosmetics, including new formulations, and examined recent technology applications and product development trends. Officials also heard concerns about technical hurdles and the need for regulatory improvements. The meeting included the Korea Cosmetic Association and industry officials, who discussed regulatory support to help functional cosmetics reach the market faster. Key topics included support for launches to strengthen global competitiveness, improvements to the functional cosmetics review system, and expanded support based on regulatory science. Kang Seok-yeon said, "We will strengthen regulatory support so functional cosmetics can be developed and launched quickly by reflecting feedback from the field." Chong Kun Dang's 'Bio Spike Guard' shows 24-hour antibacterial effect in real-world study Chong Kun Dang said Tuesday that study results confirming the sustained disinfecting effect of its environmental disinfectant wipes, Bio Spike Guard, were published in Infection & Chemotherapy, an international journal of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases. Bio Spike Guard combines didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and organosilane (Si-QAC). The company said it provides immediate disinfection and forms a protective layer on surfaces that helps kill microbes. The study involved five hospitals — The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Konkuk University Medical Center and Gachon University Gil Medical Center — and was conducted as a controlled study in real clinical settings. Researchers compared the product with existing disinfection methods at about 160 sites, including dry areas such as bed rails and nurse stations and wet areas such as sinks and toilet lids. The study found Bio Spike Guard maintained a statistically meaningful reduction in microorganisms from baseline at 1 hour, 6 hours and 24 hours after disinfection. The effect was especially notable in wet areas, where the reduction in microorganisms was greater than in the control group in the 1-hour comparison. GC Green Cross Cool Dream says it is helping prevent teen misuse of OTC drugs GC Green Cross said Tuesday it supported efforts through its Cool Dream brand to prevent adolescents from misusing over-the-counter medicines and to promote a culture of medication counseling. Cool Dream is a sleep aid containing diphenhydramine. The company said it has ranked No. 1 in market share for seven consecutive years, citing fast effects while minimizing concerns about tolerance and dependence. It is a soft capsule made using a patented NeoSol process designed to maximize absorption. The company said it joined public discussion on teen misuse of diphenhydramine, sharing views on prevention steps at a roundtable attended by pharmacists, parents and drugmakers. It also distributed medication guidance leaflets and provided information on the characteristics and side effects of major drugs, saying the materials were designed for use in pharmacies. Samhwa Dang Pharmaceutical to directly acquire S-PASS patent rights; completion expected within days Samhwa Dang Pharmaceutical said Tuesday it will transfer and acquire patent rights to its S-PASS platform technology, an oral formulation conversion technology applied to oral semaglutide, liraglutide and insulin, among others. The company said it previously listed Taiwan-based Summit Biotech as the patent applicant to avoid pushback from global originator drugmakers. Under a comprehensive R&D services contract signed in 2018, Samhwa Dang Pharmaceutical covered R&D costs and all rights, including intellectual property, belonged to Samhwa Dang Pharmaceutical, it said. The company said controversy has recently emerged over patent ownership. CEO Jeon In-seok said at a news conference on April 6, presenting U.S. FDA submission documents, that S-PASS is a patented technology held by the company. Samhwa Dang Pharmaceutical said it will also change the applicant for its ongoing international patent application under the PCT to its own name. The patent assignment agreement between the two companies was signed Monday. An application to change the PCT applicant has been filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration, and only administrative procedures remain, it said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-15 17:48:20
  • Biologics Shift From IV to Subcutaneous Dosing, Reshaping Prescriptions and Sales
    Biologics Shift From IV to Subcutaneous Dosing, Reshaping Prescriptions and Sales The biologics market, long dominated by intravenous (IV) infusions, is rapidly shifting to subcutaneous (SC) injections. The change is moving beyond convenience, with growing evidence that dosing method can reshape prescribing patterns and revenue, making formulation a key competitive factor. Industry officials said that in the U.S. market, an insurance billing code (J-code) began applying this month to Merck (MSD)’s SC formulation of its immuno-oncology drug Keytruda. With a J-code, administrative steps between hospitals and insurers are simplified, improving access to prescribing. The industry expects the shift to SC to accelerate further. Several products have already shown how formulation changes can translate into results. Janssen’s multiple myeloma treatment Darzalex reached about 90% of its sales from the SC version within three years of launch. Backed by that shift, 2023 sales rose more than 20% from the previous year, showing how the same drug can see prescriptions and revenue move together as dosing changes. Keytruda is also expected to follow a similar path. While the IV version posted $31.7 billion in sales last year, the SC version generated $40 million in sales just four months after launch, indicating rapid uptake. UBS forecast in a report that the U.S. market for Keytruda SC could grow to about $8 billion next year. Convenience and treatment efficiency are driving the broader shift. IV dosing typically requires a hospital visit and more than an hour for administration, while SC dosing can be delivered in under five minutes and may allow self-injection. SC formulations have been used mainly for autoimmune diseases, but they are increasingly moving into oncology, where clinician monitoring has traditionally been required. A biotech industry official described the trend as competition expanding beyond efficacy to include treatment continuity. The shift is also intensifying technology competition. As more efficient drug delivery begins to influence prescribing choices, securing SC conversion technology is emerging as a core advantage. Globally, competition is centered on companies with formulation-conversion technologies based on human hyaluronidase. U.S.-based Halozyme, through its Enhanze technology, has supported SC conversions of major blockbuster drugs, including Roche’s immuno-oncology drug Tecentriq and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)’s immuno-oncology drug Opdivo. In South Korea, Alteogen is seeking to catch up with its Hybrozyme platform, ALT-B4. The technology temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid in the skin to create pathways for drug dispersion, enabling subcutaneous delivery even for high-volume antibody therapies. Eight global pharmaceutical companies are developing SC formulations using the platform, including deals signed with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in January and Biogen in March. Latecomers are also entering. Huons Lab, an R&D subsidiary of Huons Global, has developed technology to convert IV formulations to SC based on its HyDIFFUZ platform. Celltrion is also responding to the expanding SC market with Zymfentra. The company has applied SC conversion technology mainly to its own biosimilars, but plans to expand formulation-conversion services to outside drugmakers. Industry officials said SC conversion is likely to do more than change formulations, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics. “Now, it’s not only the drug itself but also the delivery method that determines competitiveness,” one industry official said. “As patient convenience and treatment efficiency become key standards, demand for SC formulations will grow further.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-15 17:09:00
  • Celltrion Named to S&P Global CSA Top 1% in Biotechnology for ESG Performance
    Celltrion Named to S&P Global CSA Top 1% in Biotechnology for ESG Performance Celltrion said April 15 it was named a “Top 1%” company in the biotechnology sector in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment, or CSA. The company was also listed as an “Industry Mover,” citing the scale of its year-on-year improvement in environmental, social and governance, or ESG, performance. The CSA evaluates ESG performance across more than 12,000 companies worldwide and ranks top performers by industry. Results are reflected in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook, which recognizes the top 1%, 5% and 10% in each sector. Celltrion moved into the top 1% this year after placing in the top 5% in the biotechnology category last year. The company said it is pursuing structured management aimed at building a “sustainable medical service ecosystem based on ESG management.” On the environment, Celltrion said it is working toward carbon neutrality by 2045 by managing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy use. It said it has expanded life cycle assessment, or LCA, to 11 biosimilar products to reduce environmental impacts across product lifetimes. On the social front, the company said it has supported startups through open innovation as part of efforts to strengthen South Korea’s biotech ecosystem. It also said it has continued support to improve medical conditions in developing countries using proceeds from an in-house bazaar event called “Celeb Market.” Through the “Kkumkkureon 2026” campaign involving running club members, it said it donated all participation fees to the Korea Blood Cancer Association. On governance, Celltrion said it introduced a lead independent director system to strengthen board independence. It also cited shareholder returns, saying it paid a cash dividend of 750 won per share in 2025 and canceled 895 billion won worth of treasury shares, posting a shareholder return ratio of 103%, which it said was the highest level in its industry. A Celltrion official said the selection reflects recognition of the company’s ESG performance in global markets and that it will continue strengthening the foundation for sustainable growth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-15 10:51:00
  • JW Pharmaceutical to Distribute Hemophilia Comic for Women; MFDS Issues Atopic Dermatitis Injection Guidance
    JW Pharmaceutical to Distribute Hemophilia Comic for Women; MFDS Issues Atopic Dermatitis Injection Guidance JW Pharmaceutical to distribute educational comic for women with hemophilia for World Hemophilia Day JW Pharmaceutical said Tuesday it will produce and distribute an educational comic book for women with hemophilia and carriers ahead of World Hemophilia Day on April 17. Titled “It’s OK to Be a Little Different, Because We’re Together,” the comic is part of the company’s annual hemophilia support program, the Bravo Campaign. The company said it aims to improve public understanding of women with hemophilia and carriers, and to help families explain the condition to children. The story follows “Bomin,” a fourth-grade girl with a younger brother who has hemophilia, as she learns she is a carrier and comes to understand the disorder. The book introduces symptoms women patients or carriers may experience, including heavy menstrual bleeding, bruising under the skin and nosebleeds, and outlines precautions for higher-risk situations such as surgery and childbirth. It also stresses early diagnosis, including clotting factor activity tests and genetic testing. MFDS issues spring guidance on safe use of injectable atopic dermatitis drugs South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Tuesday issued guidance on safe use and precautions for injectable treatments for atopic dermatitis, citing an increase in skin problems in spring due to pollen, fine dust and wider day-to-night temperature swings. The agency said basic care includes using a moisturizer at least twice a day regardless of symptom severity. Treatments include topical steroids, oral antihistamines and immunomodulators, and wet-wrap therapy and antibiotics may be used together during acute flare-ups. For severe cases that are difficult to control with existing treatment, self-injectable biopharmaceuticals are used. The agency said these drugs suppress substances that trigger inflammation, improving itching and skin symptoms. Patients should use self-injectors only after receiving sufficient training from medical staff and should follow storage and disposal instructions. Single-use injectors must not be reused, and used syringes and needles should be sealed in a disposal container before being discarded. The agency said patients should consult medical staff if a parasitic infection is suspected before or during treatment. It also advised avoiding live vaccines — including measles, mumps and rubella, rotavirus and shingles — while using the injections, and said inactivated vaccines should be discussed with medical staff before vaccination. Hecto Group says it is strengthening workplace culture through “evolving” employee benefits Hecto Group said Tuesday it is boosting competitiveness in organizational culture by improving benefits around employee experience through what it calls “evolving welfare.” The company said it is building a participation-based culture and pursuing benefits that continue to develop rather than a fixed model, an approach reflected in its cafeteria, “Chaeum.” Chaeum provides free breakfast, lunch and dinner and is operated with employees’ condition and work efficiency in mind. Breakfast features simple options and balanced meals, while lunch offers a choice through A and B stations. Hecto Group said it recently revamped menus and services based on employee feedback, adding a summer-focused salad menu and setting up a self-serve hot pot station at dinner so employees can cook a range of items themselves. The company said it is also working to expand meals from a “benefit” into an “experience,” offering premium monthly specials and running menu collaborations with restaurants featured on the recently popular program “Black and White Chef.” It also said its ramen corner, previously centered on popular Korean brands, has added global options to broaden choices. Cha Bio F&C launches PetSeven probiotic supplement for dogs Cha Bio F&C, an affiliate of Cha Bio Group, said Tuesday its pet supplement brand PetSeven has launched “PetSeven Gut Care Probiotics,” a new product aimed at supporting dogs’ intestinal health. The company said the supplement was designed with dogs’ gut and pancreatic health and immune balance in mind. It contains selected probiotics with a guaranteed count of 5 billion CFU per stick, and applies a special coating technology intended to improve survival and colonization in the gut. It also combines prebiotics and probiotics. Key ingredients include a seven-strain probiotic blend from Lallemand’s Rosell, chicory extract as a prebiotic, postbiotic ingredients including Epicor Pet and yeast, and a plant-based enzyme blend, DigeZyme, the company said. Cha Bio F&C said it excluded 15 potentially harmful ingredients, including silicon dioxide, preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, artificial flavors and gluten, and that all products undergo safety testing before shipment. Seoul National University Hospital and Harvard Medical School team unveils “virtual hospital simulator” to evaluate medical AI A joint research team led by Kim Seong-eun, a research professor at Seoul National University Hospital’s specialized research institute, and collaborators at Harvard Medical School on Tuesday announced a “Clinical Environment Simulator (CES)” to dynamically evaluate large language model-based medical artificial intelligence. The study was published in the latest online edition of the international journal Nature Medicine. The researchers said existing medical AI evaluations rely on static, historical data and do not reflect real clinical effects such as changes in a patient’s condition over time. The team said medical AI should be assessed on how it responds under time pressure and resource constraints. In the system, a “patient engine” uses an LLM to generate diverse virtual paths of symptoms and treatment responses to simulate changes in patient status. A “hospital engine” tracks beds, staff and equipment status in real time. AI decisions are scored using a “dual-metric composite score” combining patient outcomes — survival, time required for treatment and adherence to guidelines — and hospital operational efficiency, including total length of stay, emergency room throughput, and bed and equipment utilization. The researchers said the system rewards improvements in care that do not damage hospital operations, but penalizes decisions that focus on one patient at the expense of others’ access to care. It also runs adversarial stress tests under extreme scenarios such as network outages and multiple simultaneous emergencies. The team said the work provides a “zero-risk preclinical test environment” that can demonstrate system safety without exposing patients to harm. With thoroughly validated AI taking on complex operational tasks, the researchers said, physicians could focus more fully on empathy and judgment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-14 17:33:27
  • Ildong Pharmaceutical Expands DropTop Cholesterol Drug Supply to Three More ASEAN Countries
    Ildong Pharmaceutical Expands DropTop Cholesterol Drug Supply to Three More ASEAN Countries Ildong Pharmaceutical said April 14 it signed an additional agreement with its Indonesian partner, Kalbe Pharma, to expand the supply territory for its drug DropTop as it broadens its presence in Southeast Asia. DropTop is a combination therapy for dyslipidemia that pairs rosuvastatin, a statin that inhibits cholesterol synthesis, with ezetimibe, which reduces cholesterol absorption. Ildong said it signed a contract with Kalbe International, a distribution affiliate of Kalbe Pharma, to expand DropTop supply to three ASEAN countries. With the deal, Ildong will have a cooperation framework with the Kalbe Group in a total of eight Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, its existing supply market. Ildong signed a partnership agreement with Kalbe Pharma in 2020 and has continued exports since 2023 after completing approval and launch procedures. The product is sold locally under the brand name “Rozet.” Ildong said it has posted average annual growth of about 130% over the past three years since launch and ranks No. 1 by market share in Indonesia’s dyslipidemia combination-drug market. Ildong said it plans to pursue product approvals and launches in the newly covered countries in stages, and to accelerate market entry with localized marketing and distribution strategies. “Through this agreement, DropTop can enter most ASEAN member states,” a company official said. “Working with the Kalbe Group, we will continue to expand our market reach and product lineup.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-14 16:27:00
  • Celltrion Completes Cancellation of 9.11 Million Treasury Shares, Industry’s Largest
    Celltrion Completes Cancellation of 9.11 Million Treasury Shares, Industry’s Largest Celltrion said Tuesday that its largest-ever cancellation of treasury shares has been fully reflected in the stock market following a change listing on April 13. With the process complete, the company said its total number of outstanding shares fell by about 4%. Celltrion described the move as the largest treasury-share cancellation ever in South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The canceled shares accounted for about 74% of the company’s treasury stock and 3.94% of total issued shares. Based on the previous day’s closing price, the cancellation was valued at about 1.7782 trillion won, exceeding the combined size of its treasury-share cancellations in 2024 and 2025. Celltrion said the cancellation is expected to improve earnings per share. Earlier, Celltrion said it recorded a shareholder return rate of about 103% last year through a cash dividend of 750 won per share and treasury-share cancellations, surpassing its stated three-year average target of 40%. A Celltrion official said the cancellation was aimed at boosting shareholder value and expressed confidence it would be a turning point for the company to be properly valued alongside future earnings growth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-14 15:12:00
  • Huons Biopharma Names Lee Jeong-hee as New CEO
    Huons Biopharma Names Lee Jeong-hee as New CEO Huons Biopharma, a Huons Group company specializing in botulinum toxin, said April 14 it has appointed Lee Jeong-hee, an executive director, as its new CEO. Lee, born in 1976, earned an MBA from Aalto University in Finland. He has more than 23 years of experience in the dermatology and medical aesthetics market, working in marketing, sales and strategic planning at Ipsen Korea, Hanwha Pharma, Hugel, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Jetema and Chong Kun Dang Bio, among others. The company said Lee was credited with helping lay the groundwork for global expansion while leading overseas business development at Hugel and Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Huons Biopharma in January received product approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration for its botulinum toxin Hutox (sold domestically as Liztox) in a 100-unit dose, and began its first shipments last month. “Huons Biopharma is at an important turning point as it has secured approval in China for its botulinum toxin product and is moving into full-scale exports,” Lee said. “We will accelerate exports to China in the second half and expand R&D for next-generation products to sustain growth.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-14 15:09:00
  • Global Biosimilar Rules Ease, but Market Seen Consolidating Around Established Leaders
    Global Biosimilar Rules Ease, but Market Seen Consolidating Around Established Leaders Easing regulations for biosimilars is lowering barriers to entry, but competition is expected to tighten around established leaders rather than shift to newcomers, industry watchers say. As of April 8, major regulators including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency are revising standards to simplify biosimilar approvals, according to industry officials. The aim is to reduce the burden of large Phase 3 trials used to prove equivalence to original drugs and to rely more on analytical data such as pharmacokinetics (PK). Industry estimates put the impact at about a 25% cut in overall clinical costs and a development timeline shortened by one to two years. South Korea is moving in the same direction. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has already shortened review times for new biologics and biosimilars to 295 days from 406 days and plans to reduce them further to 240 days. Even so, lower regulatory hurdles are not expected to change who leads the market. Developing a biosimilar remains a high-difficulty business that can require up to $300 million per product and take more than five years. Regulatory easing may encourage more companies to try entering, but few have the production facilities, quality control systems and global approval experience needed at the same time. As entry becomes easier, the advantages of incumbent players may stand out more, the industry says. Jung Yi-su, an analyst at IBK Investment & Securities, said Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis are likely to be key beneficiaries in South Korea. He said Celltrion is moving quickly to revise Phase 3 trial plans in line with the regulatory changes, making it more likely to reflect the benefits of streamlined trials sooner. External conditions are also favorable for Celltrion, the report said. A policy for "2027 Medicare Advantage" issued by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services includes higher insurer burdens and higher patient out-of-pocket costs. That could increase preference for biosimilars over high-priced drugs. If costs tied to intravenous (IV) administration are reflected, demand could also rise for subcutaneous (SC) formulations that patients can self-administer. Celltrion's "Zymfentra" was cited as a direct beneficiary. Celltrion plans to expand its biosimilar portfolio to 41 products by 2038 from 11 now. Key pipeline candidates include autoimmune disease treatments "CT-P53" and "CT-P55" and cancer treatment "CT-P51," all in Phase 3 trials. Samsung Bioepis is viewed as ahead in developing its Keytruda biosimilar, "SB27." It completed global clinical patient enrollment earlier than competitors, raising its chances of securing an early position, the report said. U.S. biosimilar market analysis cited in the report says first movers can generate, on average, 27% higher sales than later entrants. Keytruda patents are set to expire in the United States in 2028 and in Europe in 2031. Because clinician trust is critical, products that enter first may be able to expand share based on prescribing experience, the report said. Samsung Bioepis has already expanded its global footprint, commercializing 11 biosimilars in more than 40 countries, including the psoriasis treatment "Pyzchiva" and the paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treatment "Epyscli." It is developing biosimilars for seven additional blockbuster drugs nearing patent expiry and plans to expand to 20 products by 2030. Industry officials said the regulatory shift could reshape the competitive landscape, not just expand the market. "As the clinical burden falls, more companies will try to enter the biosimilar market, but the market itself will be reorganized around existing leaders with experience and infrastructure," one industry official said. 2026-04-08 19:03:43
  • Samsung Bioepis Expands AI Training; Seoul St. Mary’s Rolls Out Smart Nursing Tools
    Samsung Bioepis Expands AI Training; Seoul St. Mary’s Rolls Out Smart Nursing Tools Samsung Bioepis moves to boost employees’ AI skills Samsung Bioepis said April 8 it has launched artificial intelligence training for all employees to strengthen global competitiveness in the AI era. The company said the program is aimed at maximizing workplace efficiency and marks its first companywide AI training effort. Samsung Bioepis built a dedicated training space, the “AI Academy,” at its headquarters in Songdo, Incheon, to allow employees to study year-round. Through July, employees will complete at least seven hours of AI theory and hands-on training at the in-house facility, including use of the latest generative AI, job-specific AI model design and work automation initiatives. The company said it also plans to form a task force led by its AI unit to develop customized “AI agents” for each division and team. Medytox names actor Lee Min-jung as ambassador for fat-reduction probiotic LactiPLAN Medytox said April 8 it has selected actor Lee Min-jung as the official ambassador for LactiPLAN, a probiotic marketed for reducing body fat. The company said it chose Lee because her energetic and trustworthy image aligns with LactiPLAN’s brand identity, which emphasizes a scientifically designed approach to healthy dieting. Medytox said it will release TV and outdoor ads featuring Lee in stages. It also plans a digital campaign across its official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook channels built around the message, “A healthy diet starts with a plan.” Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital expands smart nursing services with AI and mobile tools The Catholic University of Korea’s Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital said April 8 it has declared 2026 “the first year of nursing innovation led by AI” and will apply a range of smart nursing services in clinical settings. The hospital said the project focuses on accelerating digital transformation in nursing to improve efficiency, record accuracy and the patient experience. Its nursing department has operated an AI-based voice electronic nursing record system, known as Voice ENR, across all wards since February. The hospital said it built the infrastructure in phases over about 11 months while running on-site tests. With testing completed, the hospital said it has finalized a package that includes dedicated devices with Voice ENR and pin microphones designed for voice recognition that block surrounding noise. It said one device is issued to each ward nurse, enabling immediate recording and review at the bedside. The hospital also said it has set up an operating model that uses devices and tablet PCs depending on the task. For work that requires frequent movement — such as medication administration, transfusions and tests — nurses use the more portable Voice ENR device. For tasks that require visual checks and detailed input — such as admission counseling and rounds — they use tablet PCs. Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital said it will continue linking additional systems so the approach can serve as a core tool for nursing work. Jaseng Hospital reports study on Yukgongdan’s protective effects on hippocampal nerve cells A research team led by Kim Hyun-sung at the Spine and Joint Research Institute of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine has identified Yukgongdan’s protective effects on hippocampal nerve cells and its mechanism of action, the hospital said April 8. The findings were published in the SCI(E)-indexed international journal Biology (IF=3.5). The hospital said scientific research explaining how Yukgongdan acts on hippocampal nerve cells has been limited. The team isolated nerve cells from rats and used high-resolution imaging to track changes after administering Yukgongdan, identifying its effects and mechanism. The study found Yukgongdan increased survival of damaged hippocampal nerve cells and reduced cell death. The protective effect was stable under both short-term (three-day) immature culture conditions and long-term (15-day) mature culture conditions, the hospital said. It also reported that Yukgongdan suppressed tau protein modification, cited as a key cause of dementia, and reduced accumulation of amyloid-beta protein, which can cause toxicity between cells. The hospital said ERK levels, associated with excessive stress responses that can accelerate brain damage, decreased after Yukgongdan intake, while expression of the Nrf2 protein, which plays a key role in antioxidant defense, recovered. CHA Fertility Center reports pregnancies using CAPA-IVM with immature eggs CHA University’s CHA Fertility Center said April 8 it has confirmed successive pregnancy successes at Jamsil CHA Hospital and Ilsan CHA Hospital using CAPA-IVM, a hormone-injection-free approach, for patients who have difficulty creating embryos through standard in vitro fertilization. CAPA-IVM is a form of in vitro maturation treatment using immature eggs. At Jamsil CHA Hospital, the center applied CAPA-IVM to a 32-year-old patient identified as A who had difficulty conceiving naturally due to polycystic ovary syndrome. After improving the uterine environment through a hysteroscopic procedure, the patient underwent frozen embryo transfer (T-ET) in January 2025, became pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy in September that year. At Ilsan CHA Hospital, the center said it confirmed its first pregnancy success after using CAPA-IVM for a patient who did not respond to hormone treatment and had difficulty obtaining mature eggs. The hospital said the results are significant because pregnancy outcomes were confirmed through CAPA-IVM in patient groups where existing infertility treatment had been difficult, including patients with PCOS and those who could not secure mature eggs despite repeated hormone stimulation treatments.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 17:45:16
  • ABL Bio Says Compass’ Bile Duct Cancer Drug Wins FDA Orphan Drug Designation
    ABL Bio Says Compass’ Bile Duct Cancer Drug Wins FDA Orphan Drug Designation ABL Bio said Tuesday that tovecimig, a bile duct cancer treatment being developed by its global partner Compass Therapeutics, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The designation is intended to encourage development of treatments for diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 patients. In the United States, it can provide benefits including a period of market exclusivity, typically seven years, as well as tax credits, reduced FDA review fees and grants to support clinical trials. Tovecimig is a bispecific antibody developed by ABL Bio and licensed to U.S.-based Compass. It is designed to block both DLL4 and VEGF-A signaling pathways, which the company said play key roles in angiogenesis and tumor blood vessel formation. The company said inhibiting both pathways has shown strong anticancer effects by suppressing tumor cell growth. Compass is running a Phase 2/3 trial in second-line bile duct cancer patients combining the drug with paclitaxel. It plans to release key results this month, including overall survival and progression-free survival.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 11:06:19