Dong-A Pharmaceutical and National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science Sign MOU to Expand Industrialization of "Hwanghaessuk"

Full-Scale Development of Functional Products Underway

On September 24, Dong-A Pharmaceutical announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science under the Rural Development Administration to expand the industrialization of the domestically developed Hwanghaessuk variety, "Pyeongan-ae."

At the signing ceremony of the business agreement between Dong-A Pharmaceutical and the Rural Development Administration's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Yoon Chunhee, head of research at Dong-A Pharmaceutical (left), and Park Jungkwan, head of the Ginseng Special Crop Division at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Dong-A Pharmaceutical

The Hwanghaessuk extract, which Dong-A Pharmaceutical has been approved to use as an individually recognized functional health food ingredient, is known for its ability to protect the gastric mucosa and support stomach health. In a 12-week human trial conducted at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital involving 93 adults with functional dyspepsia symptoms, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) showed significant improvement.

This agreement was established to build a cooperative system for the stable domestic production and supply of Hwanghaessuk, which serves as the raw material for the extract.

The Hwanghaessuk "Pyeongan-ae" variety, which is the subject of this agreement, was registered by the Rural Development Administration in 2024. The name was chosen to signify finding peace of body and mind by soothing the stomach.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional uses of mugwort, Dong-A Pharmaceutical has demonstrated the gastric mucosa-protective effects of the plant through various preclinical models and has published related research findings in domestic and international academic journals.

Under this agreement, the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science will be responsible for the breeding and distribution of the "Pyeongan-ae" Hwanghaessuk variety, as well as supporting the matching of farmers and companies. Dong-A Pharmaceutical will focus on efficacy research and the development of various functional products using Hwanghaessuk.

Yoon Chunhee, head of research at Dong-A Pharmaceutical, stated, "Through this agreement, we will be able to ensure a stable supply of domestic raw materials and accelerate the development of functional material products using domestically bred varieties. Based on close cooperation, we will focus our research on the efficacy of Pyeongan-ae and strive to introduce differentiated products."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.