[THE INVESTOR]  Daehwa Pharmaceutical announced on Sept. 9 that its oral cancer treatment DHP107 has been granted approval for manufacturing and sales by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

DHP107 is a modified version of paclitaxel, a therapy for breast, ovarian, lung and uterine cancers to be taken orally, a first of its kind in the world.

Paclitaxel had to be diluted before it was administered via intravenous injection. And steroids and antihistamine had to be administered to prevent possible allergic reaction, including shock and hyperventilating, to the diluents. 



Oral intake is not only convenient for the patients but also will lessen the number of hospital visits, the company said.

Paclitaxel has a 4 trillion won (US$3.64 billion) market in the world and 30 billion won market in the country.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)