Handok
throws ‘Blood Drive of Love Relay’ to commemorate Rare Disease Day

To commemorate Rare Disease Day, Handok(CEO
Youngjin Kim) will be throwing a ‘Blood Drive of Love Relay’ to support patients
that constantly require blood transfusion.

Employees of Handok Headquarters and
Production Headquarters engage in the biannual ‘Blood Drive of Love’ as a
gesture of care towards their neighbors. Additionally, since 2015, employees of
the company also partake in the ‘Blood Drive of Love’ every February to
commemorate Rare Disease Day that falls on the 28^th of February.

This year’s ‘Blood Drive of Love’ will be
held in the form of a relay so that all Handok employees, including HQ and
Production HQ employees, can partake in the blood drive. Starting from February
22 with the employees of the Handok Headquarters in Yeoksam and leading up to
the 28^th with the employees of the Handok Eumseong Production
Headquarters, all Handok employees are encouraged to participate in the blood
donations. Employees in other locations are encouraged to participate in the
blood drive through blood donation clinics located across the country.

Blood donation certifications acquired
through the ‘Blood Drive of Love Relay’ will be donated to the Korea Blood
Cancer Association to be used in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is a rare
disease that destroys red blood cells. The disease has a high death rate caused
by thrombosis, respiratory failure, renal failure and patients that also
experience anemia require regular blood transfusions. Handok has been donating
blood donation certifications for patients suffering from paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria since 2012 and have donated a total 1,100 certifications by last
year.

Sooyoung Nam, team leadr of Handok’s
Medical Business Headquarters, stated during the blood drive in Handok’s
headquarters on February 22, “After hearing that blood donation certifications
can help patients suffering from rare diseases and need constant blood
transfusions, my colleague and I take part in the blood drive every year,”
adding, “Although it is a small gesture, I truly hope it provides some relief
to the patients.”

Meanwhile, Handok is leading the fight
against rare diseases through a variety of medicines and medical nutrition
supplements. The company produces paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and hemolytic
uremic syndrome medication ‘Soliris’, pulmonary hypertension medication
‘Tracleer’ and ‘Opsumit’, and hepatic veno-occlusive disease medication
‘Defitelio’. Additionally, Handok partnered with Nutricia to become the
domestic supplier of medical nutrition supplements including ‘Lorenzo’s Oil’ (adrenoleukodystrophy),
‘PK Aid 4’(phenylketonuria), ‘NKH Anamix’ (nonketotic hyperglycinemia), and
‘TYR Anamix’ (tyrosinemia).