HONG KONG – South Korea's Chong Kun Dang (CKD) Pharmaceutical Corp. received approval for its novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP) biosimilar from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). The drug (CKD-11101) is world's first NESP biosimilar to treat anemia.

PERTH, Australia – Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking comments from stakeholders on whether certain self-testing in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) should be prohibited from being sold to consumers.

PERTH, Australia – Australia is at risk of falling behind the U.S. and Europe in preventing recurrence of melanoma, the Melanoma Institute Australia warns. It is urging the Australian government to undertake a timely review of immunotherapy treatments effective in preventing the spread of melanoma and to fast track listings on the government-subsidized Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

HONG KONG – GI Innovation Inc., a microbiome combination drug developer based in Seoul, South Korea, has recently issued fully paid convertible preferred stock (CPS) worth KRW37.5 billion (US$31 million) for a series B investment.

PERTH, Australia – Australia is at risk of falling behind the U.S. and Europe in preventing recurrence of melanoma, the Melanoma Institute Australia warns. It is urging the Australian government to undertake a timely review of immunotherapy treatments effective in preventing the spread of melanoma and to fast track listings on the government-subsidized Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

SUZHOU, China – Under the "Healthy China" campaign, China has introduced a three-year action plan for preventing and treating cancer. The plan vows to speed up the marketing of cancer drugs in the country, even aiming for simultaneous marketing with other countries.

HONG KONG – South Korean biopharmaceutical giant Celltrion Group, of Incheon, and Korea Development Bank (KDB), a wholly state-owned policy development bank, have agreed to run a fund worth KRW220 billion (US$184 million) to grow venture companies in Korea's bio-health care sector.