SK Chemicals said March 26 it signed a memorandum of understanding with J2H Biotech to strengthen cooperation on joint development of new drugs.
The agreement is aimed at exploring collaboration on J2H pipelines for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. J2H will share results from ongoing research with SK Chemicals, and the two companies plan to discuss development strategy and specific cooperation options.
Founded in 2014, J2H is a biotech company developing drug candidates focused on metabolic diseases and cancer. Its MASH candidate, J2H-1702, has completed a Phase 2a trial and confirmed treatment effects, and the company is preparing to enter a global Phase 2b trial to further verify efficacy in a broader patient group. Its IPF candidate is in preclinical research.
SK Chemicals said it will review the candidates’ development potential and commercial viability based on available data and then define whether to proceed with joint development and the scope of cooperation.
Dongkook Pharmaceutical said March 26 it launched LUONCELL, a functional cosmetics brand whose name combines “LUX,” “ON” and “CELL.”
The company said the products apply two proprietary complexes: “Happy Cell Complex” and “TECA Bioheal Complex.” Happy Cell Complex combines alpine skullcap, GABA and Spanish licorice root extract, which the company said helps protect irritated skin and support recovery of skin condition. TECA Bioheal Complex combines six bio ingredients, including TECA extracted from centella asiatica and PDRN, the company said.
Among five LUONCELL products, the “High Lift Gel Mask,” a silicone gel mask, is billed as the first in South Korea to feature 1,300 vacuum suction plates. The company said the patented plates create vacuum tunnels to help active ingredients absorb more effectively and can also help reduce swelling.
Osstem Implant said March 26 that Ukrainian government health officials, representatives of local medical equipment companies and international development and relief organizations visited its Twin Tower headquarters in Seoul’s Gangseo district on March 20.
The delegation, led by Yevhen Honchar, deputy minister of health of Ukraine, toured key facilities including Osstem Implant’s central research institute and product showroom, the company said.
Ukraine is pursuing its “Health Strategy 2030,” aimed at building a system that guarantees all citizens access to needed medical services, according to the company.
The delegation also held cooperation talks earlier that day at a Korea-Ukraine business roundtable hosted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Osstem Implant said it sees potential cooperation in areas including dental prosthetics and facial trauma reconstruction to help restore quality of life for war veterans, as well as in establishing dental implant policy.
GC Biopharma said March 26 that its varicella vaccine, Varicella Joo, received marketing approval from Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.
The company said it is the first time the vaccine has been approved in a Latin American country. It plans to accelerate expansion into individual countries in the region while continuing supply through the Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO.
Varicella Joo is a live vaccine using GC Biopharma’s in-house MAV/06 strain. The company said it is the world’s first varicella vaccine made without any antibiotics in the manufacturing process, eliminating the risk of adverse reactions from residual antibiotics such as kanamycin, neomycin and erythromycin and maximizing product safety.
In long-term follow-up clinical results, the neutralizing antibody rate after vaccination was 99% to 100%, and antibody persistence was shown to be comparable to leading global products, the company said.
The company also said that after being listed in a World Health Organization position paper, the vaccine has received international evaluation comparable to global vaccines based on the Oka strain, and cross-prescribing has become possible. It said it plans to broaden the vaccine’s use in global markets.
Kwangdong Pharmaceutical said March 26 it held its 53rd annual shareholders meeting at Kwangdong Gwacheon Tower in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.
Results disclosed at the meeting showed the company posted consolidated revenue of 1.6595 trillion won last year, maintaining a growth trend. On a separate basis, revenue totaled 1.0110 trillion won, marking the first time the company entered the “1 trillion won club” on a standalone basis. Separate operating profit was about 30.6 billion won, a slight improvement in profitability.
Shareholders approved all agenda items as proposed, including approval of the 53rd financial statements and consolidated financial statements, partial amendments to the articles of incorporation, appointment of inside director Park Sang-young, appointment of outside director Lee Jae-won as an audit committee member, and approval of the cap on directors’ compensation. The company said the articles amendments codified an independent director system and advanced plans to establish new committees as part of ESG management to strengthen transparent governance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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