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- 2026-05-08 14:31:38
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- SK Bioscience will complete major facilities in Songdo
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Dec 28, 2021 05:51am
- SK Bioscience, the third-largest pharmaceutical bio company in market capitalization, will build a new construction in Songdo, Incheon. It will invest 300 billion won by 2024 to build a new factory and laboratory. Along with Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and Celltrion Healthcare, the first to fourth place in the pharmaceutical bio market will gather in Songdo side by side. ◆SK Bioscience will complete the facility in Songdo in 2024 and invested 300 billion won SK Bioscience announced on the 27th that it has signed a land sale contract with the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. The plan calls for the construction of a global R&PD (Research & Process Development) center on a 34,414㎡ site in Sr14 district 7, Songdo-dong, Incheon. Earlier in August, SK Bioscience signed a contract with the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority to acquire 33 billion won worth of land and buildings. The newly created global R&PD center will house research institutes, factories, and offices for basic research and process development and production in the vaccine and bio sectors. SK Bioscience plans to invest about 300 billion won in business expenses with the aim of completing it in the fourth quarter of 2024. SK Bioscience plans to invest about 200 billion won by 2024 to expand manufacturing facilities for L-House, which has the latest vaccine production facilities such as cell culture, bacterial culture, gene recombination, and protein bonding, and build new platform facilities such as mRNA and next-generation viral vectors. When SK Bioscience moves to Songdo, all the first to fourth largest pharmaceutical bio companies in Korea will be located in Songdo. SK Bioscience, which was listed on the KOSPI market in March, has a market capitalization of 17.978 trillion won, ranking third after Samsung Biologics and Celltrion among pharmaceutical bio companies. Samsung Biologics, a bio-captain, was established based in Songdo in 2011. Samsung Biologics is currently operating three biopharmaceutical plants in Songdo. Samsung Biologics is building its fourth plant with the aim of operating it in 2023. The fourth plant is the largest ever with 256,000 liters of production. When the fourth plant is in operation, Samsung Biologics will secure a total of 618,000 liters of production facilities along with its third plant (3,000 liters of first plant, 152,000 liters of second plant, and 180,000 liters of third plant). Celltrion, which ranks second in the market capitalization of pharmaceutical bio companies, is the main player in growing Songdo, Incheon, as a mecca for biopharmaceuticals. Celltrion's market capitalization is 28.1412 trillion won. Founded in 2002, Celltrion operates two factories in Songdo. In 2005, the first factory of 100,000 liters was completed in Songdo, and in 2011, the second factory of 90,000 liters was joined. Celltrion is building a 60,000-liter plant with the aim of completing it in 2023. Celltrion is also planning to build a 20-liter plant. When the fourth plant is completed, a total of 450,000 liters of production facilities will be secured in Korea. Celltrion Healthcare, an affiliate of Celltrion, is also evaluated as a bio company representing Songdo. Celltrion Healthcare receives antibody biosimilar products from Celltrion and sells them to global retailers. Celltrion Healthcare is located with Celltrion in Songdo, Incheon. The market capitalization totaled 13.2084 trillion won. The market capitalization of four companies, Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, SK Bioscience, and Celltrion Healthcare, totaled 117.696 trillion won. These companies are by far one of the best among domestic pharmaceutical bio companies. Among the major pharmaceutical bio companies that handle medicines in the third quarter, only three companies recorded operating profits of more than 100 billion won, including Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and SK Bioscience. The operating profit ratio of SK Bioscience and Celltrion to sales amounts to 45.5% and 40.9%. Samsung Biologics also recorded a high purity return of 37.1%. Along with Celltrion Healthcare, the average profit margin of the four Songdo bio companies exceeds 30%. Recently, SK Bioscience saw its operating profit rise 175.3% year-on-year to 100.4 billion won in the third quarter and sales rise 123.8% year-on-year to 220.8 billion won. The biggest factor in the surge in performance is the consignment production of the COVID-19 vaccine. SK Bioscience signed a consignment production (CMO) contract with global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in July last year to supply COVID-19 vaccines. It is a condition to produce the COVID-19 vaccine under development by AstraZeneca at L House in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. In August last year, the MOHW and Novavax also signed a three-way contract to supply the COVID-19 vaccine NVX-CoV2373 and began production.
- Company
- ST Pharm has applied for phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Dec 28, 2021 05:50am
- ST Pharm will join the ranks of COVID-19 vaccine development. It introduced mRNA vaccine platforms such as Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. ST Pharm announced on the 24th that it has applied for a phase 1 clinical trial plan for the mRNA-based COVID-19 prevention vaccine STP-2104 to the MFDS. Clinical trials were planned in stages of capacity increase, multisystem, and disclosure to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the COVID-19 vaccine STP-2104 for healthy adults aged 19 to 55. The clinical scale is at least 30, and the subjects will be divided into two groups, and STP2104 will be administered twice with doses of 25㎍ and 50㎍, respectively, to confirm safety and immunogenicity. According to ST Pharm, STP2104 contains mRNA designed based on modified nucleosides. 5-Capping Agent (SMARTCAP) technology developed by itself was used to improve the capping and transcription effects. In addition, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that have already been proven to be safe through global clinical trials are used as mRNA carriers. ST Pharm said, "If we confirm the safety and immunogenicity of STP2104 targeting delta mutations, we expect to be able to respond quickly by changing only the mRNA sequence to new corona mutations such as omicrons." ST Pharm said, "We plan to conduct follow-up clinical trials at home and abroad through the K-mRNA consortium in the future," adding, "We will then seek commercialization in Korea and ASEAN countries with conditional approval for use and sales." Currently, there are nine companies and institutions in Korea that have been approved for COVID-19 clinical trials. SK Bioscience, Genexine, Cellid, Geneone, EuBiologics, Curitas, HK inno.N, Eyegene, and International Vacuum Institute are challenging the development of vaccines. Among them, SK Bioscience is the only one to enter phase 3. By vaccine platform, there are three genetically recombinant vaccines (SK Bioscience, EuBiologics, HK inno.N), three DNA vaccines (Genexine, Geneone, International Vaccine Institute), one virus vector vaccine (Cellid), and two mRNA vaccines (Quaratis, Eyegene).
- Company
- Ildong's new DM GLP-1 analog has acquired a new patent
- by Dec 28, 2021 05:49am
- Ildong (CEO Yoon Woong-seop) announced on the 24th that it has obtained a patent for domestic substances for ID110521156, a new drug candidate for type 2 diabetes treatment under development. ID110521156 is a drug in the GLP-1 receptor agonist family that acts as a analog to the Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone that regulates blood sugar levels by inducing insulin secretion. GLP-1 hormones are produced and secreted in β cells of the pancreas and are known to be involved in the secretion and blood sugar control of insulin in the body, digestive organ exercise, and appetite suppression. ID110521156 has the same function as GLP-1 hormone and has a low molecular weight compound structure, so it is expected to be developed as an oral drug that is advantageous in terms of marketability and convenience of administration. Earlier, Ildong Pharmaceutical confirmed safety not only in excellent pharmacological activity but also in the effect on cardiovascular relations as a GLP-1 receptor agonist through ID110521156 study. Currently, the company is conducting nonclinical research to develop an oral type 2 diabetes treatment.
- Company
- The development of Kcav's Mucovac is in full swing
- by Dec 27, 2021 05:57am
- A spray-type COVID-19 vaccine sprayed on the nose, not on injections, is being developed by domestic company. Amid the trend of muscle injection, attention is focused on claims that mucosal immunity is more effective in defending the COVID-19 virus. Kcav (CEO Song Chang-seon) announced on the 27th that Mucovac, a COVID-19 mucosal vaccine candidate that is jointly researching with Konkuk University and Bionote, has succeeded in entering the second stage of the "Bio Medical Technology Support Project" supported by Ministry of Science and ICT and National Research Foundation of Korea. Accordingly, Kcav will receive 2 billion won in research funds for non-clinical trials and clinical sample production necessary for submitting the clinical trial plan (IND) of the COVID-19 mucosal vaccine Mucovac. Mucovac, which is being developed by Kcav, is a candidate substance for the COVID-19 mucosal vaccine derived by combining the ECSL immune enhancer, which signed a contract with Eubiologics in March, with a new antigen developed by Bionote. Mucovac confirmed that nasal administration using hACE2 TG Mice and Ferret animal Model enhances body fluidizing antibody and cellular immunity (IFN-r ELISPOT) to the COVID-19 virus. In addition, as a result of conducting attack vaccination tests using Wuhan and Delta, the Mucovac vaccine group showed a 100% survival rate. In particular, Kcav is planning to analyze Mucovac's ▲MoA-related analysis ▲ Evaluation of defense ability through attack inoculation after the sale of Omicron mutant and ▲ Boostershot application test (existing muscle vaccination + Mucovac inoculation). Since many pathogens, including COVID-19, invade through mucous membranes, mucosal vaccines can be said to serve as the first defense mission against pathogens invading from the outside. Since injection needles are not used, they can be administered safely and easily. It has been argued that vaccines using nasal cavity are more effective against COVID-19 than through veins and muscles. Currently, there are about 100 vaccines being developed worldwide, of which seven are vaccines using nasal cavity. This is why the Korean government desperately needs support for the success of commercialization of Mucovac while global efforts are underway to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic situation. An official from Kcav said, "The mucous membrane vaccine currently under development is a spray-type vaccine sprayed on the nose, not a conventional injection vaccine." He explained, "When applied with booster shots to existing vaccinations, it induces not only systemic immunity but also mucosal immunity." "We expect Mucovac to increase the ability to prevent infection through the respiratory tract of COVID-19 and respond to various mutant viruses," he said. "We have already confirmed our defense against delta mutant as well as Wuhan." Kcav has already confirmed its ability to defend against the SARS-Cov-2 virus of COVID-19 mucosal vaccine candidates using ECLS immunostrengthening agents by receiving research funding from the Global Health Technology Research Fund "RIGHTFUND," co-invested by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and eight domestic life science companies in 2020. Meanwhile, Kcav was established in 2014 by Professor Song Chang-sun of Veterinary Science College as the first subsidiary of Konkuk University's technology holding company. It has secured a variety of vaccine pipelines for animals and humans using core platforms such as Live attenuated vaccines and Newcastle Disease vector vaccines.
- Company
- To introduce a phase 3 clinical drug preferential policy
- by Nho, Byung Chul Dec 27, 2021 05:56am
- Attention is focusing on whether the industry, the National Assembly, and the MOHW will be able to derive a reasonable and efficient institutional direction in relation to the "policy for preferential treatment of new drugs in phase 3 clinical trials for Koreans." According to related industries on the 23rd, after the drug preferential regulations for innovative pharmaceutical companies were deleted during the 2018 Korea-US FTA negotiations, Article 17-2 of the Pharmaceutical Industry Promotion Act was introduced, but the legislation process seems urgent. Generic, which is released by innovative pharmaceutical companies, can get additional drug prices if it meets certain items of drug decision and adjustment standards, while there is no incentive for new drugs developed by all domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies, that is, new drugs that have conducted clinical trials in Korea. As the global innovative drug preferential system was virtually stranded due to trade friction such as WTO and FTA three years ago, drug preferences such as 10% of the highest price of alternative drugs to encourage innovative pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs and application of similar drugs (adjusted lowest price) in A7 countries have disappeared. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, public opinion on the formation of public opinion on the independence of vaccines and treatments and the government's justification for establishing pharmaceutical sovereignty is also gaining momentum. As Big Pharma such as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and MSD exclusively develop vaccines and treatments, other countries may suffer supply and demand difficulties at any time, as well as the fact that they are not the main clinical subjects. The "Phase 3 Clinical New Drug Treatment for Koreans" is a system that benefits 5-10% of alternative drugs when domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies conduct clinical trials (300-1000 people) or higher in Korea when developing innovative drugs. In order to prevent international trade problems such as negotiations on the revision of the Korea-US FTA in 2018, there is an international obligation to introduce a drug price system within the scope of compliance with the agreement. The regulations in question in the FTA agreement at the time allow drug and medical device registration or procedures, rules, standards, and guidelines applied to establishing benefits for medicines and medical devices to apply for benefit based on evidence of safety. The phase 3 clinical drug preferential treatment for Koreans is a system that provides common benefits not only to domestic companies but also to foreign companies, so there is no concern about trade friction. In the case of new drugs that have proven that there is no difference in safety and effectiveness of drugs due to ethnic factors, they have the advantage of creating customized drug therapy, providing appropriate treatment, and securing clinical data while maintaining the maximum drug effect. The revision of the HIRA's drug adjustment standards can achieve the desired results, preventing waste of time and unnecessary costs due to the preparation of new bills such as legislation of the National Assembly and government. According to Article 7 (7) of the Drug Adjustment Standard, the cost of medical care benefits for drugs that omit drug price negotiations is 90% of the weighted average price of alternative drugs, but exceptionally 100% for new drugs, biopharmaceuticals, and rare diseases. An industry official said, "As a result of reviewing 122 drugs registered over the past six years, 4·13 domestic and foreign drugs will be applied to the preferential treatment of phase 3 clinical drugs in Korea." This can benefit in common from domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies through various legal review, so there is no concern about trade friction due to the application of special cases, he said. In addition, he predicted, "Multinational pharmaceutical companies' drugs are unlikely to be subject to the revision as they are exempted from submitting Bridge study data due to anticancer drugs and rare drugs, and biological drugs will need to be given 100% of the average drug price."
- Company
- Reimb of SGLT-2i combos unclear... nears PMS expiry
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 24, 2021 05:49am
- SGLT-2 inhibitors approved in Korea Anticipation has turned to tension. The companies that own SGLT-2 and DPP-2 combination therapies are facing hardships ahead of their post-marketing surveillance period expiry. At the diabetes expert meeting that was held by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in September, the members concluded that the authorities should integrate and accept reimbursement of 2-drug and 3-drug combinations that use DPP-4 inhibitors with SGLT-2 inhibitors. The conclusion harbored industry hopes of being granted reimbursement listing for their non-reimbursed combinations. However, no progress has been made since in extending the insurance benefits to the combinations so far, putting pressure on the Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) results. The PMS results of combination therapies such as Boehringer Ingelheim Korea’s ‘Esglito (empagliflozin/ linagliptin), AstraZeneca’s Qtern (dapagliflozin/saxagliptin)’ that is sold by Ildong Pharmaceutical, and MSD Korea’s ‘Steglujan (ertugliflozin/ sitagliptin) is due to the MFDS by 2023-2024. Only 1-2 years are left until the deadline. However, hundreds to thousands of patients need to enroll and register to conduct PMS, and due to the nature of the diabetes treatment market, it is difficult to recruit and attract prescriptions for non-reimbursed drugs. In other words, unless the drugs receive reimbursement, the companies will not be able to meet the number of patients required for PMS that was set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. An official from a pharmaceutical company with an SGLT-2 inhibitor said, “In this pace, the license will inevitably be revoked. With the government policy supporting the active use of combinations, treatment accessibility is hindered if patients cannot be prescribed the drug due to non-reimbursement. I hope reimbursement is extended to SGLT-2 inhibitor combinations as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, at the expert meeting, the authorities decided that TZD class drugs that have cardiovascular risks should be reviewed ‘case by case.’ Therefore, the use of TZD combinations will continue to be restricted depending on individual ingredients.
- Company
- GI Innovation·A/Z, a study on immuno-cancer drugs combined
- by Nho, Byung Chul Dec 24, 2021 05:48am
- The appearance of GI Innovation clinical team members challenging large-scale global clinical trials. (Photo provided = GI Innovation)GI Innovation (CEO Hong Joon-ho) announced on the 17th that it has signed a clinical supply contract with AstraZeneca in the UK to develop a combination therapy with GI-101, an immuno-cancer drug, and Impinzi (Durvalumab). With this contract, GI Innovation will conduct clinical trials with AstraZeneca to evaluate the combination of immuno-cancer drugs GI-101, Impinzi, and chemotherapy. This clinical trial targets patients with small cell lung cancer, gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, biliary tract cancer and triple-negative breast cancer in the United States, Australia, and Korea. GI Innovation will be provided with Infinzi necessary for this clinical trial from AstraZeneca, and it will gain the driving force to conduct successful clinical trials by jointly designing clinical trial designs based on AstraZeneca's expertise in developing immuno-cancer drugs. The clinical trials of both companies aim to treat patients with combination therapy with GI-101, an immuno-cancer drug, in addition to the current standard treatment, chemotherapy, in metastatic and advanced cancers. Despite the use of immuno-cancer drugs in clinical settings, small cell lung cancer, gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, biliary tract cancer, and triple negative breast cancer did not show sufficient efficacy alone. To compensate for this problem, a combination of chemotherapy and immuno-cancer drugs has recently been attempted, and some carcinomas have shown encouraging therapeutic effects. A typical example is that a combination of chemotherapy and Imfinzi in small cell lung cancer has been approved as a primary treatment. GI Innovation is a strategy to maximize the treatment effect through the combination of GI-101, chemotherapy, and Imfinzi. The IL-2 site of GI-101 not only directly proliferates and activates apoptotic T cells and natural killer cells in the tumor microenvironment, but also effectively inhibits CTLA-4, an immune gateway expressed in immune cells through CD80. Through CD80-CD28 interaction, it is also possible to activate the immune response of cell killing T cells. Finally, it also has a mechanism to relieve immunosuppression by regulatory T cells that express CTLA-4, an immune gateway, in large quantities. Another immune gateway, PD-L1, can be expected to have excellent anticancer immunity when used in combination with Imfinzi, which activates immune cells. GI Innovation's clinical trial was designed as an adaptive and basket trial to confirm the anticancer activity of four solid cancers in one clinical trial and to register more patients in solid cancers that are effective depending on the results of interim analysis. The clinical trial will be conducted at about 20 medical institutions in Korea, the United States, and Australia. Yoon Nari, head of GI Innovation's clinical division, said, "GI-101 is a bispecific fusion protein that has a complex immune regulation function that proliferates and activates cell-killing T cells and natural killer cells only with monotherapy. The combination of GI-101, Imfinzi, and chemical anticancer drugs is designed to fully utilize the inherent mechanisms of the drug to recover the degraded immune response in cancer patients, respectively. Through this clinical trial, we will do our best to secure meaningful clinical differentiation data.
- Company
- MSD's Delstrigo can be prescribed in general hospitals
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 23, 2021 05:42am
- Delstrigo, an HIV combination that succeeded in registering insurance benefits, is preparing to enter the market in earnest. According to related industries, the HIV combination Delstrigo ( Doravirine 100 mg, Lamivudine 300 mg and Tenofir Disoproxil Fumarate), which is taken once a day by MSD Korea, has now passed the DC of medical institutions such as Sinchon Severance Hospital. The drug was approved in Korea in January last year, submitted a benefit application at the beginning of this year, and was listed in January. Delstrigo's benefit indication is "the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults who have no previous anti-retrovirus treatment experience." Among the ingredients, Doravirine 100mg was approved by the MFDS under the brand name Pipeltro as of November 22, 2019, and is required to be administered in combination with other anti-retroviral drugs. Both Pipeltro and Delstrigo received indications for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in adult patients who had no previous anti-retroviral treatment experience. Delstrigo was confirmed its validity through DRIVE-AHEAD clinical trials. In the clinical trial, Delstrigo proved non-equivalence compared to therapy of Efavirenz ·Emtricitabine·Tenofovir. The proportion of patients who reached viral inhibition (less than 40 copies/mL of HIV-1 RNA) at 48 weeks was 84% in Delstrigo treatment group and 80% in EFV/FTC/TDF treatment group. The rate of discontinuation of treatment due to adverse reactions was 3% and 6.6%, respectively, which was lower in the Delstrigo treatment group. Meanwhile, Gilead, GSK, MSD, Janssen, AbbVie, and BMS are currently competing in the HIV sector, of which Gilead and GSK account for about 90% of the market.
- Company
- [2021 Pharmaceutical Patent Settlement] The target is Dukarb
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Dec 23, 2021 05:41am
- Generics' challenge was found to have been concentrated on patents for Boryung's hypertension complex "Dukarb," Novartis' heart failure treatment "Entresto," and Hanmi Pharmaceutical's asthma treatment "Monterizine. The number of companies targeting the patent alone amounts to 45 Dukarb companies, 24 Entresto companies, and 22 Monterizine companies. ◆Focus on requesting a trial on Dukarb, Entresto, and Monterizine patents According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 22nd, referees have been filed for 20 patents for 9 drugs so far this year. A total of 68 companies have requested patent trials. Patent attacks were concentrated on Boryung's Dukarb. After Arlico filed a passive trial to confirm the scope of rights for patents for complex composition in February, 44 more companies challenged. Analysts say that as the expiration of material patent of Kanarb (Fimasartan) is just two years away, it is scrambling to target patents for composite drugs. The material patent expires in February 2023. If the Dukarb patent's challenge is successful, generic companies will be able to release generics early in time for the expiration of the material patent. Dukarb has the highest prescription sales among Kanarb combinations. According to UBIST, a pharmaceutical market research firm, Dukarb was prescribed 36.1 billion won last year, followed by 30.2 billion won by the third quarter of this year. Five companies in the second half of the year gave up their challenge. Yuyu Pharmaceutical, Hanwha Pharmaceutical, Daehan New pharm, Kims, and PharmGen Science chose to give up their challenge one after another. The pharmaceutical industry is paying keen attention to whether more companies will give up patent challenges, citing the fierce competition in the ARB+CCB-based high blood pressure second-drug market. Twenty-four companies challenged Novartis' Entresto. In January, after Elyson Pharmaceutical filed a passive rights scope confirmation trial for a decisive patent, a passive rights scope confirmation trial and invalidation trial were filed for five patents registered in Entresto. In the case of Entresto, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Daewon Pharmaceutical, Dasan Pharmaceutical, Shinil Pharmaceutical, MFC, Kyperions and Corepharmbio voluntarily withdrew the passive trial to confirm the scope of rights filed in the decisive patent. Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, and Daewon Pharmaceutical plan to continue challenging patents for use, composition patents, and pharmaceutical patents. In the case of Entresto, there is no separate material patent. Instead, patents for use and composition, which expire in 2027, are serving as material patents. Twenty-two companies have also challenged Hanmi Pharmaceutical's asthma treatment Monterizine. Monterizine is protected by four patents that expire in 2032. In September, Hanwha Pharmaceutical filed a passive rights scope confirmation trial for all four patents, followed by 21 companies joining the dispute. However, as Genuonescience voluntarily withdrew, the dispute is expected to lead to a showdown between 21 companies and Hanmi Pharmaceutical. ◆Genuone, Kyung Dong, Mothers; Tenelia MSR patent avoidance, generics can be released next year Alvogen Korea and Samsung Bioepis have filed for invalidation of three patents for Roche's targeted anticancer drug Avastin (Bevacizumab). Both companies are participating in the development of Avastin biosimilars. Alvogen Korea is said to be developing biosimilars at the global headquarters level, not at its Korean subsidiary. Daewoong Pharmaceutical filed a passive trial to confirm the scope of rights in Amgen's psoriasis treatment Otezla drug. Daewoong Pharmaceutical also filed a request for a trial on one other drug patent and a patent for use last year. At that time, Daewoong won the first trial in the patent trial. However, the case is still underway with Amgen's appeal. The dispute over patents for use has not yet ended. A patent challenge on BMS's leukemia treatment "Sprycel" also continued. Daewoong Pharmaceutical filed a trial for invalidation of the Sprycel patent in January. Boryung Pharmaceutical filed a trial on the same patent last year, and in December this year, it filed a passive trial to confirm the scope of rights for a crystalline patent. Genuonescience, along with Mothers Pharmaceutical and Kyungdong Pharmaceutical, requested a passive rights scope confirmation trial for a patent for Handok's diabetes complex "Tenelia M SR." With the victory of the dispute in May this year, they can launch generics after October 2022 when the material license of Tenelia, a single drug, expires. BCWORLD challenged Chong Kun Dang's two patents of Telminuvo. They won in October and November.
- Company
- MNC employees enjoy 17 days maximum as year-end holidays
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 22, 2021 05:57am
- As in any year, the multinational pharmaceutical companies are again closing down for a long-term year-end holiday. According to Dailypharm’s research of 23 major pharmaceutical companies in Korea, 6 companies have set a 10-day or longer year-end holiday. Also, more than 10 pharmaceutical companies will be closing down for nine days. Also, in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, many multinational pharmaceutical companies are allowing their employees and executives to use their annual leaves to extend their holidays. Abbvie and Takeda Pharmaceutical are taking the longest days off. The companies have been closed since the 17th, for 17 days until January 2nd, 2022. Amgen’s employees are given a 13-day break, the Sanofi group 12 days, AstraZeneca 11 days, and Astellas 10 days. Companies and associations including Daiichi Sankyo, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Viatris, Organon, Otsuka, Pfizer, BMS, Korean Research-based Pharmaceutical Industry Association, MSD will start their annual year-end holidays from the 25th. This means that 16 pharmaceutical companies will close their doors on Christmas Day. Most other companies including Gilead, Lilly, Merck, Biogen, Bayer, Janssen, GSK will be taking their year-end holidays by using their annual leaves. Although the employees are advised to use their annual leaves as they please, these employees will also be enjoying over 10 days as year-end holidays. Regardless of the designated holiday period, many employees have already been using their annual leaves to start their break early from this week. A pharmaceutical company official said, “Many employees are enjoying over 20 days of the holiday by using their annual leaves before and after the set days. I am pleased to be able to take the time to recharge as this year has been particularly exhausting for us and the industry with the aftermaths of COVID-19, among others.”
