LifeStyle

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  [INTERVIEW] Sugentech predicts modest sales after development of vaccines SEOUL -- Expectations run high for the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines after Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company in the United States, achieved the better-than-expected efficacy of its vaccine candidate. However, the announcement would never put a damper on the business strategy of Sugentech, an in-vitro diagnostic test reagent producer in South Korea. To take the upper hand in the new market, Sugentech proposed the supply of neutralizing antibody test kits in partnership with v 2020-11-10
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  Huons tests Belgian company's asthma drug as COVID-19 treatment SEOUL -- Huons, a pharmaceutical company in South Korea, will conduct a joint study with a college medical team to see if an asthma treatment produced by a Belgian company is effective in treating those infected with a novel coronavirus. Huons will work with a team from Korea University Medicine in Seoul to recreate Zephirus produced by Laboratoires SMB S.A. as a COVID-19 treatment. Huons signed an exclusive agreement with SMB in 2017 to market Zephirus, a fixed-dose combination o 2020-11-06
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  Daewoong allowed to conduct third-stage combination therapy with diabetes drug candidate SEOUL -- Daewoong Pharmaceutical, a major bioengineering company in South Korea, has acquired state approval to go ahead with final clinical trials to check the efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin, a drug candidate for the treatment of diabetes when it is administered in combination with two other medications. The company aims to release the drug in South Korea by 2023. Daewoong said it has received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for third-stage clinical trials 2020-11-04
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  KT works with American bio-sensor producer to expand capabilities in digital bio-health sector SEOUL -- KT, a major telecom company in South Korea, will work with Sibel.Inc, an American bio-sensor company, to expand capabilities using artificial intelligence and big data in the digital bio-health sector. Sibel has developed a wireless sensor that can monitor body temperature, cardiac impulse, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation in real-time. The two companies agreed to carry out a pilot project related to digital health using ICT-based disease monitoring solutions. T 2020-10-30
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  [INTERVIEW] Seegene's quantum leap is far from over as producer of reliable diagnostic kits SEOUL -- Seegene, known as a producer of reliable in vitro diagnostic devices, has taken away huge benefits from a COVID-19 pandemic to become one of the most-watched companies in South Korea's stock market for its quantum leap this year. In preparation for a post-pandemic era, the company still hopes to maintain growth with differentiated multi-diagnosis technologies. Seegene was among South Korean companies that quickly produced diagnostic kits used widely for a national ba 2020-10-30
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  Paraguay's main gateway to set up S. Korea's fast COVID-19 screening system SEOUL -- Paraguay's main international gateway will set up a fast COVID-19 screening system based on an in-vitro diagnostic device that was produced by a South Korean biotech company with technology developed by a military medical research institute. The Armed Force Medical Science Research Institute has transferred its rapid molecular diagnostic technology to iONEBIO for the production of an in-vitro diagnostic device that will be used for a fast infection control system at P 2020-10-28
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  Lotte Chemical works with college medical center to develop anti-bacterial plastic materials SEOUL -- Lotte Chemical, a petrochemical unit of Lotte Group, will work with a college medical center to develop anti-bacterial plastic materials. Antibacterial films and materials are widely used in South Korea for elevator cabins, door handles and other vulnerable places to prevent the invasion of viruses. Lotte Chemical signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea University Medical Center to jointly research and develop plastic materials of antibacterial properties and 2020-10-28
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  Researchers develop 3-D human lung tissue model for pathogenesis of novel coronavirus SEOUL -- Researchers involving those from a South Korean state research institute have developed a three-dimensional model of human lung tissue to investigate the pathogenesis of a novel coronavirus, making a new breakthrough in efforts to develop vaccines and therapeutics. Characterizing pathogenesis is crucial for developing vaccines and therapeutics. However, the lack of models mirroring the cellular physiology and pathology of human cells has limited research. Researchers have 2020-10-26
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  Biotech companies selected for state project to establish big data in biology SEOUL -- A consortium of three South Korean biotech companies involved in genetic analysis and research has been selected for a state pilot project aimed at establishing big data in biology. It is part of the so-called K-DNA project to support the development of new drugs, medical device products and the digital healthcare industry. The two-year project involving Theragen Bio, Macrogen and DNA Link calls for the establishment of clinical information and genomic data about more tha 2020-10-26
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  Seoul builds futuristic public bus stops installed with various convenience facilities SEOUL -- Seoul, which is South Korea's densely populated capital with a population of more than 9.7 million, will introduce a futuristic public bus stop called "Smart Shelter" based on various convenience facilities such as an automatic stop system, air purifiers, ultraviolent air curtains, CCTVs, air conditioners, a wireless mobile phone charging system and Wi-Fi. The installation of smart shelters on a trial basis is underway at ten places on Seoul's exclusive me 2020-10-22
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  Community health centers introduce innovative 5G MEC system for dementia detection SEOUL -- In South Korea, which is one of the world's most rapidly aging societies, the prevention, early detection and cure of Alzheimer's disease has been an important part of its welfare policy. An innovative cognitive analysis system using virtual reality headsets will be combined with 5G-based mobile edge computing technology for the early detection of cognitive impairment. The system will be tested in November at community centers for senior citizens with mild dementia 2020-10-22
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  POSCO joins hands with domestic firms to provide innovative water supply blocks for roadside trees SEOUL -- POSCO, a top steel company in South Korea, joined hands with two domestic companies to participate in South Korea's green city project with an innovative street facility that consists of water-permeable blocks capable of storing rainwater and supplying moisture to roadside trees. POSCO said it signed a business agreement with KT, a major telecom company in South Korea, and Mystech, which produces specialized products for roadside facilities, for the joint marketing of f 2020-10-21
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  GC Pharma's plasma treatment allowed for actual use in treating COVID-19 patients SEOUL -- An immunoglobulin drug based on plasma containing antibodies won special approval to be used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The drug developed by GC Pharma, a biotech company in South Korea, has yet to complete clinical trials, but a state public health watchdog gave permission for critically ill patients who do not have other means of treatment. The green light came from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which allowed Kyungpook National University Hospital to 2020-10-20
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  Modular negative-pressure ward built for S. Korea's state hospital SEOUL -- A three-story modular negative-pressure ward with 30 rooms was completed for a state hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. It is South Korea's largest negative-pressure ward. Kolong Global, a civil engineering and architectural firm, assembled it in a week, but the ward met strict criteria required by South Korea's state anti-epidemic center. The modular ward can be operated as a single unit that consists of multiple wards and air purifiers that provide and suck 2020-10-19
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  Celltrion checks antibody treatment's effect of COVID-19 infection prevention SEOUL -- Celltrion, a South Korean bio firm involved in a state project to find the treatment of COVID-19 patients, will conduct a test to determine if its COVID-19 antibody treatment, CT-P59, has the effect of infection prevention and initial virus death. The test will cover about 1,000 people who had close contact with confirmed patients or asymptomatic virus carriers. Second and third-stage clinical trials are under way to verify the efficacy and safety of CT-P59. Celltrion has 2020-10-12
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  Rapid antibody screening cited as core of global fight against COVID-19 SEOUL -- Rapid antibody screening will emerge as the core of a global fight against COVID-19, a genome analysis company said, predicting the method will be introduced in the U.S. in six months. When a virus invades the body, the immune system produces antibodies to fight it. Antibody tests have been used in South Korea to estimate the extent of infections at a population level. Various indicators should be used for accurate diagnosis and treatment, said Lee Min-seob, co-CEO of E 2020-10-07
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  Theragen selected for state project to develop large-scale analysis method for COVID-19 cases SEOUL -- Theragen Bio, a genetic analysis service provider, has been selected for a state project to develop a large-scale, efficient and low-cost method that can quickly analyze thousands of cases. The new method will be used for massive and periodic diagnoses at schools, institutions, enterprises and health care centers. Theragen said it would team up with college research teams to develop a diagnostic method that enables a large-scale investigation of infectious diseases such a 2020-10-05
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  LG Chem's novel drug for obesity treatment wins FDA designation SEOUL -- LB54640, a novel drug developed by LG Chem for the treatment of genetic disorders of obesity has won the Food and Drug Administration's orphan drug designation. A first-stage clinical study is under way in the United States. The company aims to carry out second and third-stage clinical trials in 2022 and secure sales approval in 2026. FDA's orphan drug designation (ODD) is granted to drugs intended for the safe and effective treatment of rare diseases and disorders 2020-09-28
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  Standigm partners with SK C&C to unveil AI service for drug development SEOUL -- Standigm, a startup known for AI-based material optimization platforms, joined hands with SK C&C, the information technology wing of South Korean conglomerate SK Group, to unveil an artificial intelligence service that enables the quick traction of genes and proteins for the development of new drugs. It can be used free of charge by companies and researchers. The two companies will test-run iCLUE & ASK, a target discovery service. When searching for diseases under r 2020-09-28
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  Lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi found to be effective disinfectant SEOUL -- The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in demand for chemical disinfectants such as alcohol. As a natural alternative, South Korean researchers found that a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented vegetable dish, showed significant antibacterial activities. Related technology developed in a research led by the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) has been transferred to private companies for commercial production, the Envi 2020-09-28