SK Biopharm begins clinical trials of wearable device for detecting epilepsy

SK Group's new drug development subsidiary SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. will begin clinical trials for a wearable device that can detect and predict epilepsy seizures in Korea early next year. As early as two to three years from now, the company plans to commercialize it and expand its business into the digital healthcare field.

The company held a briefing session before CES 2023 at Seoul's Gwanghwamun on Wednesday and disclosed its business strategy.

SK Biopharm will showcase five types of epilepsy seizure detection devices in the form of prototypes at the trade show to be held in Las Vegas early next January.

"The device will enter into a clinical trial from next year in the domestic market," Hwang Sun-kwan, vice president of SK Biopharm, said.

Industry observers predicted that SK Biopharm is likely to undertake clinical trials in Korea and the United States at the same time.

That's because the US digital drug treatment market is large and SK Biopharm already sells new drugs in the US. The company has sold Cenobamate, a medication used for the treatment of partial-onset seizures, in the United States since 2020. The drug's US sales in the third quarter of this year increased 138% in one year to 47.4 billion won ($36.6 million).

Empatica's smartwatch "Embrace" has an epilepsy seizure detection feature, but the device has a limit in detecting skin resistance changes only. "We will expand the business areas to the digital healthcare field by combining new drugs as well as digital technology," Hwang added.

Write to Jeong Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com