Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Korea approves new drug for treatment of muscle-weakening disease
This December 2022 file photo shows the headquarters of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Cheongju. The ministry on Friday approved a new drug made by UCB Korea for the treatment of a chronic muscle-weakening disease called generalized myasthenia gravis.
By Jung Min-ho
Korea on Friday approved UCB Korea's new drug for the treatment of a chronic muscle-weakening disease called generalized myasthenia gravis.
The drug, named ZilbrisQ, is expected to be available for patients in Korea soon following approval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, officials said.
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease caused by an abnormal immune reaction that weakens the muscles of the body. This problem occurs when the communication between nerves and muscles breaks down.
There is no cure for the disease. But treatment can help with symptoms such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision and drooping eyelids, among others.
The ministry said its team of experts confirmed the effects of the drug in terms of reducing the adverse immune reactions caused by the disease.
“The approval of the new drug is expected to give patients more options to choose from and (will help) make their treatment more convenient as it can be self-administered with under-the-skin injections,” the ministry said in a statement.