LifeStyle

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  Shin Poong expands clinical study to test malaria drug for COVID-19 treatment SEOUL -- A South Korean pharmaceutical firm specializing in remedy drugs will push ahead with an expanded study to evaluate the effectiveness of Pyramax, a fixed-dose combination medication for the treatment of malaria, although it did not show any statistical significance at second-stage clinical trials as a candidate to treat patients infected with a new coronavirus. Pyramax, produced by Shin Poong Pharm, is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. The m 2021-07-06
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  Disinfection robots with ultraviolet-C germicidal lamps to be deployed at airport SEOUL -- As part of a campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19, autonomous disinfection robots installed with ultraviolet-C "germicidal" lamps will be deployed along the route of travelers from entry gates to quarantine stations at Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, along with quarantine guide robots. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water and surfaces that can help mitigate the risk of acquiring an infection. The w 2021-07-05
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  S. Korea launches consortium to develop next-generation mRNA vaccine platform SEOUL -- South Korea launched a special government-sponsored consortium to develop a next-generation messenger RNA vaccine platform amid growing public disappointment over the delayed launch of homemade COVID-19 vaccines. The consortium aims to develop a new vaccine capable of preventing infections by coronavirus variants. The K-mRNA consortium, launched in a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health Welfare on June 29, involves three drug makers -- Hanmi Pharmaceutical, GC Pharma a 2021-06-29
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  ToolGen seals technology transfer deal with Australian partner on gene therapy SEOUL -- ToolGen, a South Korean developer of genome editing technology, has a technology transfer deal with Cartherics Pty, a biotech startup in Australia, for the development of next-generation gene therapy using third-generation genetic scissors to cut out genetic information in cells. The Australian company aims to carry out first-stage clinical trials for ovarian cancer in the United States in 2022. Toolgen said it would receive a certain stake in Cartherics as a down payment 2021-06-28
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  Genexine develops hybrid technology for COVID-19 vaccine SEOUL -- Genexine, a clinical-stage biotechnology company in South Korea, joined hands with a domestic partner to develop hybrid vaccine technology that complements the shortcomings of DNA and messenger RNA vaccines which are in use worldwide to curb the spread of COVID-19. The novel coronavirus is studded with proteins that it uses to enter human cells. Spike proteins make a tempting target for potential vaccines and treatments. DNA vaccines transfect a specific antigen-coding DN 2021-06-25
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  Clinical trails approved to check efficacy of Korean blackberry for cancer treatment SEOUL -- An Oriental medicine research center in South Korea has won state approval to go ahead with clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of KIOM-ICI-1, a drug candidate for immuno-cancer treatment using substances extracted from rubus coreanus, a species of raspberry native to East Asian countries. Rubus coreanus, or known as Korean blackberry, produces edible berries that are fermented into fruit wine which has been taken to prevent problems associated with disturbed liver 2021-06-23
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  Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine wins state approval in S. Korea SEOUL -- South Korean state regulators have approved the use of a COVID-19 vaccine produced by U.S. biotech company Moderna, saying there was no major safety problem as a result of reviewing safety and effectiveness. Moderna has agreed to ship vaccine doses for 20 million people. Moderna became the fourth company to sell COVID-19 vaccines in South Korea after AstraZeneca PLC, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. GC Pharma, a b 2021-05-21
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  Researchers use electrostatic spray technology to remove viruses and fine dust floating in the air SEOUL -- A state research institute has successfully demonstrated the performance of air purifiers using electrostatic spray technology and high voltage to generate hydrogen peroxide and ozone water that can remove germs and viruses floating in the air. Unlike conventional air purifiers, filters were not used in a method that can dramatically lower maintenance costs. Electrostatic spray technology is a new way to apply cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants. Electrostatic sprayers 2021-05-04
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  SK Telecom teams up with major hospital to develop AI video diagnostic assistance solution SEOUL -- A major hospital in South Korea will work with SK Telecom to develop a video diagnostic assistance solution using artificial intelligence that would reduce the burden on medical staff by diagnosing disease conditions more quickly and accurately and allow patients to receive faster treatment. The Catholic Medical Center (CMC) with 6,300 beds in eight hospitals will provide high-quality medical big data and verify the solution to improve completeness for commercialization. 2021-04-30
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  Genome information of some 10,000 people decoded in UNIST-led project SEOUL -- A five-year project led by a research institute in the southern city of Ulsan to collect and decrypt genome information of some 10,000 people has been completed for precise genetic disease analysis. The project is aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of South Korea's bio-industry by building decoded genome information as key public data. The project involving hospitals and university research teams began in 2016, led by the Ulsan National Institute of Science and 2021-04-26
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  Two COVID-19 self-testing kits win conditional approval for domestic use SEOUL -- Two homemade diagnostic kits for self-testing secured conditional government approval for domestic use, marking a major shift in the policy of South Korea's anti-epidemic control center which has maintained a conservative attitude in introducing convenient rapid test kits in its fight against COVID-19. The two devices have already been used abroad. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it has approved two antigen self-testing kits developed by in vitro diagnosti 2021-04-23
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  5G-based quarantine robot makes commercial debut at university hospital SEOUL -- A 5G-based robot featuring guidance and quarantine functions made its commercial debut at a university hospital by combining a real-time location tracking system and abilities to analyze the density of visitors for social distancing. The robot allows citizens to visit the hospital without any anxiety about COVID-19 infection SK Telecom (SKT) said it has established a quarantine robot solution at Yongin Severance Hospital operated by Yonsei University in Yongin, some 35 ki 2021-04-19
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  Huons consortium to produce Russian vaccine Sputnik in S. Korea SEOUL -- A consortium led by Huons Global, a pharmaceutical company based in South Korea, has signed a technology transfer contract to produce Sputnik V, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia's state research center. Pilot production is set to begin in August, and the consortium will build facilities capable of producing more than 100 million doses a month. Huons is the second South Korean company to seal a contract with Russia's sovereign wealth fund for the production o 2021-04-16
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  Namyang apologizes for causing misunderstanding about Bulgaris' anti-virus effect SEOUL -- Namyang Dairy Products, a major dairy food producer in South Korea, apologized for causing public misunderstanding about the anti-virus effect of its fermented milk brand Bulgaris after a government body called for legal action to punish the company for deceiving consumers with "hyped" publicity. Bulgaris contains complex strains such as lactobacillus, acidophilus and bulgaricus, more than regular fermented milk products. The effect of probiotic lactic acid bact 2021-04-16
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  Bulgaris fermented milk causes debate over anti-virus effect SEOUL -- Bulgaris, a fermented milk brand produced by South Korea's major dairy food producer Namyang Dairy Products, was at the center of talk among stock market investors, scientists and health officials after sponsored researchers claimed to have verified the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of influenza and COVID-19 viruses in laboratory experiments. Bulgaris has maintained its top position in the domestic fermented milk market since Namyang released it in 1991 by high 2021-04-14
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  Donepezil dementia patch awaits state approval for commercialization in S. Korea SEOUL -- Donepezil is a generic medication widely used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is commonly taken by mouth. A Donepezil patch awaits state approval for commercialization in South Korea. Compared to an oral medication taken once a day, the patch featuring improved drug compliance and convenience can be attached twice a week. Celltrion, a leading biotech company in South Korea, signed a domestic joint copyright contract with Icure Pharmaceutical, which specia 2021-04-13
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  Hanmi's short bowel syndrome drug wins FDA fast track designation SEOUL -- Hanmi Pharmaceutical's rare drug for the treatment of short bowel syndrome has won "fast track" designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fast track is a process designed to facilitate development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Hanmi Pharmaceutical, a major drug maker in South Korea, said it would start second-phase clinical trials abroad soon to test the efficacy of its drug L 2021-04-07
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  EDGC aims to develop community platform based on genomic data SEOUL -- Eone Diagnomics Genome Center, an international joint venture which develops technology for genome analysis, tied up with a cloud-based genomics healthcare web portal to develop a community platform based on genomic data that would allow users to share solutions through communication on the results of genetic analysis. Eone Diagnomics Genome Center (EDGC) and Mygenomebox (MGB) would establish a genetic network service (GNS) and secure competitiveness in the genomic market 2021-04-07
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  Macrogen wins state approval to go ahead with direct-to-consumer genetic testing SEOUL -- Macrogen, a biotech company and expert in genomic analysis in South Korea, has secured state approval to go ahead with direct-to-consumer genetic testing that provides people access to their genetic information without necessarily involving healthcare providers or health insurance companies. Genetic testing is done through healthcare providers who collect and send DNA samples and share test results with patients. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests are marketed directl 2021-04-06
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  Naver's webtoon gains popularity in Europe with German service SEOUL -- The web cartoon wing of Naver, a top web portal service operator and IT company in South Korea, has launched a paid German service. It is the third European language after Spain and France. With its service in Germany, which is considered the largest cartoon market in Europe, Naver would accelerate efforts to gain a bigger share in the global webtoon market. Web cartoons, widely known as webtoons or webcomics, are digital comic books created to fit into web or mobile plat 2021-04-01