Gang Involved in Selling 4.6 Billion KRW Worth of 'Unauthorized Stem Cells' Referred to Prosecution

Selling Unapproved Treatments Using Donated Umbilical Cords

The Seongdong Police Station in Seoul announced on the 20th that it has sent three employees of a bio company in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, to prosecution without detention for manufacturing and selling stem cells without authorization.

According to the police, they are suspected of manufacturing and selling stem cells worth approximately 4.6 billion KRW without approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (violation of the Advanced Regenerative Bio Act).

They are also known to have produced and sold unauthorized treatments worth about 500 million KRW using donated umbilical cords.

Under the Advanced Regenerative Bio Act, manufacturing pharmaceuticals using human or animal cells without approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.