Journalist

Park Boram
  • Chong Kun Dang Foundation Expands Scholarships; ABL209 Wins FDA IND; HK inno.N Runs WoW Promotion
    Chong Kun Dang Foundation Expands Scholarships; ABL209 Wins FDA IND; HK inno.N Runs WoW Promotion The Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation held its 2026 scholarship certificate ceremony Feb. 27 at Chong Kun Dang’s headquarters in Seoul’s Chungjeong-ro district, the foundation said Monday. The foundation said it will support 403 scholarship recipients in Korea and abroad, including 110 newly selected this year, with scholarships and free dormitory housing through graduation. It said its annual scholarship programs, including academic initiatives, total about 3 billion won. Among those selected, 168 students will receive 1.1 billion won in tuition and living-expense support. The foundation will cover full university tuition for 98 tuition scholarship recipients — 57 in Korea and 41 overseas — and provide 500,000 won a month in living expenses to 70 students. The foundation will also provide free housing at its “Chong Kun Dang Gochon Dormitory” to 235 university students from outside the capital area. It said dormitory recipients can save more than 8 million won a year in housing costs, with total support valued at about 1.9 billion won. The dormitory program was established to help non-Seoul students facing housing pressures and is described as the first housing support facility created by a private scholarship foundation. It operates at four locations in Seoul: Donggyo-dong in Mapo District (Building 1), Hoegi-dong in Dongdaemun District (Building 2), Junggok-dong in Gwangjin District (Building 3), and Yeongdeungpo-dong in Yeongdeungpo District (Building 4). ABL Bio says FDA clears IND for U.S. Phase 1 trial of ABL209 ABL Bio said Monday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an investigational new drug application on Feb. 27 local time for a Phase 1 clinical trial of its bispecific antibody-drug conjugate candidate ABL209. ABL209 is a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate that targets EGFR and MUC1 and is linked to a topoisomerase I inhibitor. The company said targeting two complementary antigens at the same time could address limitations of competing candidates that target only EGFR or only MUC1. Neok Bio, which holds global development and commercialization rights to ABL209 and another bispecific ADC, ABL206, will lead development of both candidates, ABL Bio said. Neok Bio plans to release early clinical data for the two candidates in 2027. HK inno.N’s Hutgae Water teams up with Blizzard’s World of Warcraft for promotion HK inno.N said Monday it is running a special event with Blizzard Entertainment’s massively multiplayer online role-playing game “World of Warcraft.” The company said the promotion is designed to strengthen consumer engagement with its Hutgae Water brand and is timed to the worldwide simultaneous launch schedule for the game’s new expansion pack, “Midnight,” on March 3, Korea time. Customers who buy a 30-bottle Hutgae Water package at Naver Smart Store’s “Condition Mall” will receive a coupon for a special in-game item available only through the promotion, the company said. The event runs from March 3 until supplies run out.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 15:15:00
  • Drugmakers in South Korea Expand Into Senior Care, Eye Long-Term Growth but Face Profit Hurdles
    Drugmakers in South Korea Expand Into Senior Care, Eye Long-Term Growth but Face Profit Hurdles Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are accelerating expansion into senior health care, positioning it as a new growth engine as South Korea enters a super-aged society. With medical and caregiving demand expected to rise structurally, companies are moving into the “silver market,” where they can apply core capabilities while seeking long-term revenue with relatively lighter regulatory burdens. According to the Korea Insurance Research Institute on the 2nd, the number of older people needing care — including those with dementia and seniors living alone — is steadily increasing. By 2030, it projects that 16.5% to 26.3% of older adults will need elder-care services. Companies are responding by combining real estate development capacity with differentiated models such as health functional foods and digital technology. Among early movers is Chong Kun Dang. Chong Kun Dang Industry, a property asset management company under Chong Kun Dang Holdings, has expanded its footprint by acquiring nursing-care facilities. It operates “Bellforest” and “Heritage Nursing Home,” offering premium services. Heritage Nursing Home has a system designed to respond immediately in emergencies by linking with major hospitals. “Pharmaceutical companies already have networks among older adults and chronic-disease data, so combining that with the care industry creates strong synergy,” an industry source said. Still, concerns remain that care businesses may not deliver the profitability companies expect, largely because labor costs dominate spending. Nursing facilities must use 62.5% of government reimbursement payments for labor, and when indirect labor costs are included, staffing can account for about 70% to 80% of total expenditures. The burden can grow as facilities scale and it becomes harder to meet required ratios. “Separating the business into a separate corporation may limit financial risk, but operating nursing facilities requires distinct capabilities because it involves managing the overall brand image,” another industry official said. Kim Dae-jong, a professor in the School of Business at Sejong University, said, “Korea has the second-largest elderly population after Japan, and the silver industry is structurally bound to grow over the long term,” adding, “Any company will face limits to growth with its core business alone.” Overseas, pharmaceutical companies’ expansion into senior care is already seen as a proven model as aging becomes a business opportunity. Recently, Asian companies have focused on mental health and elder nursing. Japan’s Eisai, judging that “medicine alone cannot solve the dementia problem,” launched its subsidiary Theoria Technologies in 2023 and entered the dementia management platform business. China’s major drugmaker Sinopharm operates an integrated senior-care system built around combined medical and nursing-care hubs, expanding services on a “whole life-cycle” basis. The offering includes rehabilitation care, chronic-disease management and professional nursing services, in addition to supplying medicines. In South Korea, drugmakers are pursuing strategies aligned with their strengths. Daewoong Pharmaceutical formed a dedicated digital health care organization and unveiled its integrated artificial intelligence platform, “All New Think.” With more older adults needing ongoing management and more than 90% of domestic hospital beds lacking real-time monitoring systems, analysts see room for growth. However, as the market is still in an early stage, issues such as integrating AI technology and the contribution to sales remain to be assessed. Senior nutrition is also emerging as a new expansion track. Hanmi Science introduced “Hanmi Care Me,” a premium complete balanced nutrition product aimed at addressing nutritional imbalance among older adults. For seniors who struggle to consume adequate nutrients due to reduced activity and smaller meals, the message that it is “nutrition designed by a pharmaceutical company” can boost trust in purchasing. “Because the senior market is driven by trust-based consumption, pharmaceutical brands have an advantage,” an industry source said, while noting that the food industry already holds high market share and companies must also weigh the cost of building distribution and marketing infrastructure. Some also see longer-term benefits in understanding seniors’ needs and data. Sung Hye-jin, deputy director at the Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy Institute, said, “The senior market has a trust-based consumption tendency that fits well with pharmaceutical companies,” adding, “With the market still in its early stage, now is the time to enter, and there will be opportunities to lead across diverse fields.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 06:05:26
  • Why Small Weight Changes Can Quickly Affect Blood Pressure, Sleep and Metabolic Health
    Why Small Weight Changes Can Quickly Affect Blood Pressure, Sleep and Metabolic Health Early this year, U.S. investment bank Jefferies said major U.S. airlines could save as much as $580 million (about 8.2555 trillion won) in fuel costs this year as passengers’ average weight declines amid the boom in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) obesity drugs. The report estimated that if average passenger weight falls 10%, fuel costs could drop by up to 1.5%. For airlines, it is an unexpected benefit. In 2018, United Airlines saved about $290,000 (about 412.69 million won) a year in fuel by printing its in-flight magazine on lighter paper. Before that, it pursued weight cuts down to the gram — even removing a single olive from a salad. Now, passenger weight loss has emerged as a new variable. The same principle applies to the human body. Weight is often treated as a simple measure of dieting success, but the body can respond quickly even to a 1- to 2-kilogram change. Understanding how the body detects small shifts can help with more precise health management. Blood pressure is one example. In obese patients with hypertension, losing 1 kilogram is associated with a 1.6 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure and a 1.3 mmHg drop in diastolic pressure. The numbers may look small, but for people with hypertension they can be meaningful enough to affect medication dosing or cardiovascular risk. Joints also react immediately. A 1-kilogram weight gain adds about 3 to 4 kilograms of load to the knee joint, which can make stair-climbing pain more noticeable. Conversely, many people say their knees feel more comfortable after losing just 2 to 3 kilograms. Sleep quality can be sensitive as well. Snoring and sleep apnea are linked to excess fat around the neck, which can press on the airway and interfere with breathing. With a 1-kilogram weight loss, the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) tends to fall by about 0.5 to 1 episode. As aircraft fuel efficiency responds to small changes in weight, the body’s functions also shift with modest weight changes. Metabolism can respond especially fast, and small adjustments may improve blood sugar and inflammation levels in a short period. Recent medical research has drawn attention to “metabolic age” as an indicator of health span and aging. Even without formal testing, it can be inferred from indirect signals. A larger waistline (90 centimeters for men, 85 centimeters for women), higher fasting blood sugar (100 mg/dL) and rising triglycerides are common signs that metabolic stress is building. Kim Jeong-eun, director of the 365mc Fat Stem Cell Center and a family medicine specialist, said a higher metabolic age suggests the body is gradually losing efficiency in burning energy. “When metabolic function declines, you can gain weight more easily even eating the same foods, and recovery from fatigue can be slower,” Kim said. Experts say careful attention to bodily changes is central to health management, and that improving daily habits is key to keeping metabolism “younger.” They recommend cutting back on simple sugars and refined carbohydrates that sharply raise blood sugar, and eating enough protein to prevent muscle loss. A vegetable-centered diet that includes berries, dark leafy vegetables and omega-3 fats can reduce inflammation and help stabilize metabolism. Kim said not only what people eat but also the order matters. Kim recommended eating vegetables slowly for about five minutes just before or at the start of a meal, then eating protein. That sequence, Kim said, can promote the release of hormones that increase fullness and help control total intake. Exercise is most effective when it combines strength training and aerobic activity. Lower-body strength exercises such as squats, lunges and deadlifts stimulate large muscle groups and can help improve metabolism. Doing 100 to 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or running, two to three times a week, can support blood sugar stability and fat burning. For people with diabetes or those who need blood sugar control, Kim said, light walking within 30 minutes after a meal is especially effective because it helps muscles use glucose.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-26 17:18:58
  • Presbyopia Eye Drops Near Korea Launch as Competition Builds
    Presbyopia Eye Drops Near Korea Launch as Competition Builds South Korea is moving closer to introducing prescription eye drops for presbyopia, drawing growing attention as a non-surgical alternative to glasses, contact lenses and procedures. With convenience a key selling point, early competition is expected to sharpen as more products near launch. According to market research firm Expert Market Research’s “South Korea Myopia and Presbyopia Treatment Market Report and Forecast,” the country’s myopia and presbyopia treatment market is projected to grow from $631.63 million in 2025 to $1.24251 billion in 2035. The report cited a younger onset age for presbyopia as expanding the potential patient pool. Presbyopia eye drops work by constricting the pupil to create a “pinhole effect,” improving near vision and depth of focus. In the United States, four products have been approved since AbbVie’s Vuity in 2021: Orasis Pharmaceuticals’ Qlosi, Lenz Therapeutics’ Vizz, and Tenpoint Therapeutics’ Uvage. Of those, the three products other than Vuity are effectively within sight of entering the South Korean market. Vuity benefited from a first-mover advantage in the U.S., but headaches and eye redness, along with a short duration of about three to four hours, have been cited as drawbacks. Uvage, Qlosi and Vizz are not new-mechanism drugs; they recombine or refine existing ingredients, focusing on improving duration and side effects. As a result, analysts say commercialization capabilities, more than differences in efficacy, may determine winners. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical holds exclusive rights in South Korea for Uvage, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval this month. The company said it applied for approval with South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in September last year, and expects the domestic review to pick up speed. A Kwangdong Pharmaceutical official said the company is fostering ophthalmology as a next growth engine, citing pediatric myopia drug candidate NVK002, ophthalmic rare-disease treatment Lacson, and retinitis pigmentosa candidate OCU400. The official said it plans to strengthen its position by using a sales network built through its existing eye-care business. Optus Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Samchundang Pharmaceutical, signed an exclusive domestic license and supply agreement with U.S.-based Orasis Pharmaceuticals in September 2024 for Qlosi and is preparing to launch Qlosi 0.4% within this year. With single-use eye-drop manufacturing infrastructure and expertise in ophthalmic drugs, the company is seen as well positioned to expand early prescriptions after entering the market. Taiwan’s Lotus Pharmaceutical signed an exclusive license with Lenz Therapeutics for commercialization rights to Vizz in South Korea and parts of Southeast Asia, and applied in December last year for new-drug approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In South Korea, the pace of market entry is expected to depend on the sales infrastructure of Lotus subsidiary Alvogen Korea, and how quickly it can expand a sales network focused on obesity and women’s health into ophthalmology. In the United States, presbyopia eye drops sell for about 100,000 won for a month’s supply, or 25 doses. In South Korea, the products are likely to launch outside insurance coverage, raising the possibility of price competition, but safety is also expected to be central to early market leadership. Jeong Yoon-taek, head of the Korea Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy Research Institute, said price resistance is likely, but an image of “low side effects” could become important. He added that companies may also need strategies that emphasize the products’ lifestyle-drug nature for temporary needs depending on time, place and situation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 17:27:00
  • GC Pharma Anthrax Vaccine Wins Korea New Drug Grand Prize; Dongkook, Daewoong, SK Biopharm Updates
    GC Pharma Anthrax Vaccine Wins Korea New Drug Grand Prize; Dongkook, Daewoong, SK Biopharm Updates GC Pharma’s Baritrax Injection wins top prize at Korea New Drug Awards GC Pharma said Feb. 25 that Baritrax Injection, the world’s first recombinant anthrax vaccine co-developed with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, will receive the grand prize at the 27th Korea New Drug Awards on Feb. 27. Lee Jae-woo, head of development at GC Pharma, and Kang Ji-eun, product manager for Baritrax Injection, will also be honored for their contributions, receiving commendations from the minister of science and ICT and the president of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, respectively. The Korea New Drug Awards are hosted by the Korea Drug Development Research Association and supported by the ministries of science and ICT, health and welfare, and trade, industry and energy. The awards were established in 1999 to recognize drug and technology achievements that contribute to the growth of South Korea’s bio and health industries. Baritrax Injection received marketing approval in April last year as South Korea’s 39th domestically developed new drug and its third domestically developed new-drug vaccine. Unlike conventional methods that use nonpathogenic anthrax bacteria, it produces and purifies only the protective antigen protein — a key component of anthrax toxin — using recombinant technology, a feature the company said significantly improves safety. Clinical trials confirmed strong safety and robust immunogenicity. GC Pharma said few companies globally supply anthrax vaccines, calling Baritrax Injection a symbolic achievement in localizing production of strategic vaccines. The company said its safety profile is a key differentiator and supports competitiveness for future entry into global markets. Dongkook Pharmaceutical’s Centellian24 steps up North America push Dongkook Pharmaceutical said Feb. 25 it held a “private breakfast” event in New York on Feb. 2 for beauty editors and major influencers to promote its Centellian24 brand. The event introduced the brand story and key products and offered hands-on experiences with items including Madeca Cream Time Reverse, the PDRN line, the matcha line and the new Madeca Prime Max device. A networking session included a Q&A on the products. The company said social media posts after the event generated more than 3.3 million exposures. Dongkook Pharmaceutical also participated under the Centellian24 brand in “2026 Cosmoprof Miami,” North America’s largest B2B beauty trade show, held from Feb. 2 to 29. The company said the show drew about 19,000 industry professionals and distributors from 115 countries and about 900 brands. Dongkook Pharmaceutical said it introduced the brand, core skin-care technologies and new product lines and held consultations with about 100 buyers. Daewoong Pharmaceutical targets global obesity market with painless microneedles Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Feb. 25 it signed a global exclusive license agreement with Daewoong Therapeutics for products based on microneedle technology. Under the deal, Daewoong Pharmaceutical will take charge of areas requiring investment, including global marketing and commercialization, while Daewoong Therapeutics will pursue its own business using the technology and expand its applications. Daewoong Pharmaceutical said it is developing an obesity treatment that applies GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide, to a microneedle patch. It is conducting a Phase 1 trial of a “semaglutide patch” and plans to expand indications to include maintenance therapy after weight loss, building a pipeline covering the full course of obesity treatment. The company said the patch uses a process that does not apply heat to preserve key ingredients and delivers high-dose drugs precisely through about 100 microneedles in a coin-sized area. It said aseptic manufacturing supports stability and a once-weekly application improves convenience. SK Biopharmaceuticals named a “2026 Great Place to Work” in South Korea SK Biopharmaceuticals said Feb. 25 it was selected as a “2026 Great Place to Work” in South Korea by the Great Place to Work Institute, earning certification for a fourth straight year. The company ranked 23rd in the core “100 Best Companies to Work For in South Korea” list. It also received recognition in two additional categories: “Best Workplace for Parents in South Korea” and “Global ESG Human Rights Management Certification,” for a total of three awards. In an individual category, President Lee Dong-hoon was named “Most Respected CEO in Korea” for a second consecutive year, the company said, citing evaluations of his open communication and trust-based leadership. Since taking office, Lee has held one-on-one meetings with all employees, meetings by organization and monthly town hall meetings to build a flexible workplace culture. Lee Dong-hoon, president of SK Biopharmaceuticals, said, “We will continue to accelerate our leap into a global big biotech by fostering a culture of growth with our employees, and we will be a company that fulfills its social responsibilities.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 17:16:44
  • Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Association Names Kwon Ki-beom as New Board Chair
    Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Association Names Kwon Ki-beom as New Board Chair The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Association said it held its 81st regular general meeting on Feb. 24 at its fourth-floor auditorium in Bangbae-dong, Seoul, approving its 2026 business plan and a budget totaling 11,888.06 million won. It also approved as submitted the appointment of directors and auditors — 48 director companies and two auditor companies — and unanimously passed its 2025 settlement of accounts and amendments to its bylaws. For 2026, the association said it will push to build a government-industry governance framework to advance discussions on an R&D-linked compensation system and drug pricing policy. It also plans to strengthen ethical management by improving transparency in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, expanding training for contract sales organizations, and promoting a stronger industry compliance culture. To meet its “Pharma Bio Vision 2030,” the association said it will promote open innovation, accelerate digital transformation and the convergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and expand R&D infrastructure and talent development. It also plans to boost global competitiveness by building support systems for entry into advanced markets, strengthening networks in emerging markets, and expanding global production and training hubs. Priorities also include manufacturing and quality innovation, securing stable drug supply systems, improving investment and manufacturing conditions to spur vaccine development, fostering the raw materials and parts-and-equipment sectors, and diversifying supply chains. In opening remarks, Chairman Noh Yeon-hong said South Korea’s pharmaceutical and bio industry has achieved qualitative and quantitative growth and reached a turning point. “We will work to build an innovative ecosystem for new drug development, enhance global competitiveness, improve access to medicines and strengthen social responsibility,” he said. Noh added that the association will further reinforce ethical management to be seen as a trusted industry. At a handover and inauguration ceremony held after the meeting, outgoing board chair Yoon Woong-seop, chairman of Ildong Pharmaceutical, who completed a two-year term, said, “I feel a sense of fulfillment that I was able to be with you in a role dedicated to protecting the industry’s rightful value.” Incoming board chair Kwon Ki-beom, chairman of Dongkook Pharmaceutical, said in his inaugural address that last year’s results included $13.8 billion in technology exports for new drugs and $10.7 billion in pharmaceutical exports, “a remarkable achievement” representing 65% growth from 2024. He said the industry should maintain the momentum and continue steady growth to achieve more than $50 billion in exports. Kwon also said he hopes the public and private sectors will work together toward a “global top 7” goal. “Regulation is important and necessary, but I urge that the policy direction’s weight be shifted toward fostering and growing the industry,” he said. The association also said it held the seventh Korea Pharmacy Awards ceremony jointly with the Korean Pharmaceutical Association and the Korea Pharmaceutical Distribution Association. It selected Yoon Won-young, chairman of Ildong Holdings, as the winner in the pharmaceutical and bio category and presented an award. It also presented a plaque of appreciation to Yoon Seok-geun, chairman of Ilsung IS, who served as the ninth board chair.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 11:06:00
  • Celltrion Advances Dual-Track Obesity Drug Program; Lunit Starts Direct Sales in Japan
    Celltrion Advances Dual-Track Obesity Drug Program; Lunit Starts Direct Sales in Japan Celltrion: Developing dual-track obesity drugs, including four-target injectable Celltrion said on Feb. 24 it is developing obesity drugs on two tracks: a four-target injectable candidate (CT-G32) and a multi-target oral drug. The company said CT-G32 is designed to act on four targets at once, going beyond GLP-1-based dual- and triple-acting drugs that currently lead the obesity treatment market. Celltrion said it aims to reduce differences in effectiveness among patients and side effects such as muscle loss, while maximizing appetite suppression and weight loss. It also plans to expand development toward metabolic disease treatment, including promoting fat breakdown and regulating energy metabolism. Celltrion said it is conducting efficacy tests in disease-model animals for key candidates and plans to submit an investigational new drug application in the first half of next year to begin clinical trials. The company said it is also developing a multi-target oral obesity drug to improve weight-loss effects while reducing side effects. It plans to submit an IND in the second half of 2028. Lunit begins direct sales in Japan Lunit said on Feb. 24 it has started direct sales in Japan through its local unit, Lunit Japan, which it established in May last year. The company has sold in Japan through a partnership with Fujifilm, but said the new direct-sales system is intended to improve profitability. Lunit said the direct-sales approach will complement Fujifilm’s existing channels. It will keep the partnership-led strategy in the hospital market, where Fujifilm is strong, while Lunit will handle sales in health screening and remote reading markets, where demand for artificial intelligence adoption is high. The company said it also plans to strengthen ties with the Japanese government. Fujifilm has previously launched in Japan the latest version of CXR-AID, chest X-ray reading software based on Lunit’s AI technology. Bukwang Pharmaceutical launches epilepsy drug Bukwang Brivifil tablets Bukwang Pharmaceutical said on Feb. 24 it has launched Bukwang Brivifil tablets (brivaracetam) in 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg doses. The company said the product received marketing approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in September last year. It is a third-generation epilepsy treatment used as add-on therapy for patients with partial-onset seizures. Bukwang said brivaracetam selectively binds to synaptic vesicle protein 2A, or SV2A, regulating neurotransmitter release to suppress seizures. The company said the drug is characterized by rapid absorption and good tolerability compared with existing treatments, and that multiple dose options allow individualized therapy. Hecto Healthcare revamps Desimone subscription service Hecto Healthcare said on Feb. 24 it will overhaul the subscription service for its Desimone probiotics brand, aiming to reduce the sign-up burden for new customers while extending benefits across the broader brand lineup. The minimum subscription period will be reduced to six deliveries from 12, the company said. Hecto Healthcare said it will also expand benefits by introducing “Subscription Plus,” which provides a 50% discount coupon that can be used on a range of products, including Kim Seok-jin LAB’s Kids Multi-Vitamin Toktok and Kids Omega-3 Smart Chew, as well as the functional formula-based O2 Booster. It also introduced a combined-shipping service that allows Subscription Plus purchases to be delivered together with subscription items to reduce shipping costs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 18:00:00
  • Daewon, Yuhan, Kolon and Samsung Medical Center roll out supplements, gene therapy and AI tools
    Daewon, Yuhan, Kolon and Samsung Medical Center roll out supplements, gene therapy and AI tools Daewon Pharmaceutical teams with E-Land’s Kim’s Club to launch 14 health supplements Daewon Health said Feb. 23 it will launch 14 premium health functional foods in collaboration with Kim’s Club, a supermarket brand operated by E-Land Retail. The lineup includes a multivitamin, milk thistle, lutein, calcium and coenzyme Q10. The products are designed by age, gender and health goal, and the packaging includes suggested uses tied to common health concerns to help shoppers choose. Daewon Health said all products are formulated to meet at least 100% of Korean nutrient intake standards. It said it combined key ingredients with complementary ingredients to improve nutritional balance and priced the products at 5,000 won or less for a one-month supply to reduce the burden on consumers. Yuhan launches ‘Becompl’ daily vitamin shots in three versions Yuhan said Feb. 23 it launched three products under its premium daily care brand Becompl, designed to help manage daily condition by time of day. The company said the products use a dual format that combines a tablet and liquid in one bottle, allowing consumers to take them without water and improving portability and convenience. Becompl Morning Shot is aimed at liver health. Yuhan said the 30 mL portable product contains milk thistle and Rhodiola rosea extract for easy use on the way to work. Becompl All Day Shot is a premium multivitamin that includes 20 functional ingredients in one bottle. Centered on high-dose B vitamins needed for energy metabolism, it also combines vitamins C and E with minerals and may help with antioxidant support, the company said. Becompl Good Night is designed to improve sleep quality and is intended for nighttime use. Yuhan said it contains lime peel extract, a citrus-derived ingredient that may help support sleep health. Kolon Life Science to broaden indications for next-generation gene therapy candidates Kolon Life Science said Feb. 23 it plans to add new indications for drug candidates KLS-3021 and KLS-2031 and strengthen the foundation for global commercialization. KLS-3021 is a next-generation anticancer gene therapy candidate that loads therapeutic genes (PH-20, IL-12 and sPD1-Fc) onto a recombinant vaccinia virus engineered for greater selectivity toward cancer cells. The company said it is designed to combine the virus’ direct tumor-killing mechanism with breakdown of tumor stroma to help immune cells penetrate cancer tissue, while also inducing an anticancer immune response. To diversify indications for KLS-3021, Kolon Life Science said it is expanding research to include head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer. Another pipeline candidate, KLS-2031, is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-based gene therapy designed to express the genes GAD65, GDNF and IL-10, which are involved in suppressing neuroinflammation and regulating overexcited pain signaling pathways. The company said it is continuing to submit papers on preclinical results related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is also pursuing additional indications. AI may enable earlier detection of Parkinson’s disease, Samsung Medical Center says Samsung Medical Center’s AI Research Center said Feb. 23 it has confirmed the potential for earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-plus syndromes, using multimodal AI that analyzes clinical data such as gait, voice and brain imaging together. Parkinson’s disease is often diagnosed late because early symptoms are not clear. By the time tremors or gait problems appear, the disease may already be significantly advanced. A research team led by neurologist Cho Jin-hwan and radiologist Jeong Myeong-jin collected and standardized clinical information — including gait, voice and brain imaging — from about 500 patients over four years: 363 with Parkinson’s disease, 67 with progressive supranuclear palsy and 61 with multiple system atrophy. The team built an integrated database and developed a gait-based fall-risk prediction model, a voice-test-based Parkinson’s classification system, and an MRI-based automated brain-structure analysis model. In clinical evaluations, the hospital said the voice-based severity classification model, the MRI-based disease differentiation model, and a fall prediction model that analyzes gait and brain imaging together all showed high accuracy. Samsung Medical Center added that the models can also present the basis for their decisions. Cho said, “The earlier Parkinson’s disease is detected, the better the effect of drug treatment, and rehabilitation can slow progression,” adding that AI will help early diagnosis by quickly integrating results from multiple tests.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:15:00
  • Daewoong Pharmaceutical Unveils ‘ALL New thynC’ AI Platform, Targets 300 Billion Won in Annual Digital Health Sales
    Daewoong Pharmaceutical Unveils ‘ALL New thynC’ AI Platform, Targets 300 Billion Won in Annual Digital Health Sales "We will expand adoption of the real-time inpatient monitoring system 'thynC' to more than 100,000 beds and achieve annual digital health care sales exceeding 300 billion won." Park Hyeong-cheol, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s ETC marketing division, made the remarks on the 23rd at a “digital health care vision” media briefing in Seoul. He also said the company aims to establish a nationwide monitoring system that can support patients at home after discharge. On the sales target, Park said the market size can vary depending on how digital health care is defined, but added he believes the goal is achievable even when counting only products already in use by medical staff. Daewoong Pharmaceutical, which set up a dedicated digital health care organization in 2024, unveiled its upgraded next-generation artificial intelligence health care platform, “ALL New thynC,” at the event. The platform integrates patient health data by linking biometric information collected from wearable sensors — including electrocardiograms, blood pressure and oxygen saturation — with tools such as continuous glucose monitoring, ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring and an AI voice-recognition medical record solution. Executives from partner companies, including Seers Technology, iCoop, Sky Labs and Puzzle AI, attended the briefing to share the platform’s technical value and examples of use in clinical settings. iCoop’s continuous glucose monitoring solution, CGM Live, tracks real-time blood sugar changes in hospitalized patients. Sky Labs’ ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring solution, Cart On, automatically measures and records blood pressure. Puzzle AI’s AI voice-recognition solution, CL Note, recognizes clinicians’ speech in real time and links it to electronic medical records. Lee Young-shin, CEO of Seers Technology, said ALL New thynC is evolving into an AI-based platform that supports clinicians’ decision-making and will expand beyond in-hospital monitoring to home care to broaden full-cycle patient monitoring. The briefing also cited a case in which an early warning alert detected by thynC in a real-world medical setting helped identify a patient just before cardiac arrest. Daewoong Pharmaceutical said it plans to further advance monitoring technology so care does not stop outside the hospital. Park said the value lies in connecting technologies through an integrated platform to support clinical decisions, adding the company will continue working with partners across more medical settings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 15:09:00
  • Entertainer Park Na-rae Questioned by Police as Suspect in Special Injury Case
    Entertainer Park Na-rae Questioned by Police as Suspect in Special Injury Case Entertainer Park Na-rae, who has faced allegations of mistreating her managers, appeared at a police station as a suspect. Police said Feb. 20 that Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station began questioning Park at 3 p.m. on allegations including special injury and violations of the Medical Service Act. Park had been scheduled to appear for questioning on Feb. 12 on the same allegations but postponed the date. It was reported to be her first time being questioned by police as a suspect. Earlier, Park’s former managers filed a complaint with Gangnam Police Station accusing her of special injury, defamation by alleging false facts, and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act. Park has temporarily halted her activities after the manager-abuse allegations and controversy over claims she received illegal medical procedures from a so-called “injection aunt.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-20 19:42:16