Handok Pharmaceuticals has changed its name to Handok Inc. with the intent of becoming a total healthcare company

–      Handok Pharmaceuticals has changed its corporate name to Handok Inc. with its vision of becoming a total healthcare company

–      Business diversification through the expansion of new businesses including medical nutrition and genome-wide testing

–      Enhancing research and development through clinical trials on new biobetter in Europe and development of medical device for treatments targeting the global market

From the 1st of July, Handok Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd (CEO Kim, Young-jin) is now known as Handok Inc. (hereafter referred to as Handok). This change carries with it the new vision that Handok will not only be a company specializing in pharmaceuticals, but also grow into a company providing total healthcare products and services for the prediction, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and enhancement of human health and wellbeing.

Last October, Handok ended a co-operative relationship with Sanofi and started a new chapter in becoming Korea’s leading global total healthcare company. Accordingly, Handok has enhanced its existing medicinal business and food supplements, making an attempt to diversify its businesses by expanding into new areas. In addition, Handok is investing in the research and development of a new drug targeting the global pharmaceutical market.

First, HANDOK has already started its medical nutrition (food for special medical purpose) business since March. HANDOK entered a partnership with Nutricia, a global player in medical nutrition area for this business and Handok now imports and sells 9 types of advanced medical-purpose products including Neocate. In the second half of this year, HANDOK plans to start a genome-wide testing business and to release new products taking care of hangover, liver function, skin care and muscle fatigue.

  In the area of research and development, Handok is working with Genexine to develop a long-acting biological. GX-H9, long-acting growth hormone, is currently being developed by two companies. GX-H9 is expected to be administered every two or four weeks which has at least comparable efficacy with daily formulation. Handok and Genexine will perform phase 1 study in Europe at the second half year. In addition to this, Handok is increasing its investment in developing innovative new drugs in key therapeutic areas such as diabetes. HANDOK also hired an international scientist to develop medical device for treatment targeting the global market.

CEO of Handok Inc., Kim, Young-jin said “HANDOK has been making innovative changes as a pharmaceutical company for the enhancement of national health for over half a century.” He also added that “Right now is a critical time in which the paradigm of the pharmaceutical area is changing and at this time, we intend to grow into a company providing total healthcare products ranging from medicines, medical devices, food and genome-wide testing,”.

Handok has also released a new Korean logo along with the change in company name. The Korean logo symbolizes the fresh and adventurous spirit of Handok, and its “new start” is based on the Taegeuk (yin-yang) pattern in the English logo. This Korean logo will be used alongside the existing English logo.