Analysis

After the 2025 OTC standard change, Hanmi and Dongkook launched ibuprofen‑combination cold medicines last winter, and this fall Chong Kun Dang and Dong‑A are entering, expanding market competition.

SK Plasma announced the domestic launch of Revolpak 75 mg, the first high‑dose eltrombopag product in Korea, adding to its 25 mg and 50 mg offerings for chronic immune thrombocytopenia and severe aplastic anemia.

AlpBio will attend Vitafoods Asia 2026 in Bangkok to boost direct OEM/ODM contracts and accelerate its global market entry.

Korea’s bio‑health industry posted its highest August export ever, $1.41 billion, a 22.3% increase from last year, while cumulative 2026 exports reached $12.11 billion.

Celltrion Pharm’s bio‑pharma and contract‑manufacturing sales now exceed half of total revenue, narrowing the gap with its traditional chemical drugs.

Pharmacy sales to foreign tourists grew dramatically in Busan, Jeju and Incheon, with consumption up 6‑fold, 4‑fold and over 3‑fold year‑on‑year.

Samsung Biologics proposes a CHF 44.31 per share price, about 40% above PolyPeptide’s April 10 close, valuing the deal at CHF 1.46 bn.

CGRP-based migraine therapies are rapidly entering the Korean market, offering injectable and oral options that diversify treatment beyond traditional CNS‑active drugs.

Pharmacists report that brokers often promise large hospital tenancy for new pharmacy sites, leading to high premiums and contract clauses, but some hospitals never open, causing pharmacy closures.

Teva Pharmaceuticals plans to buy BioXcel Therapeutics' neuroscience portfolio for $57.5M upfront with up to $67.5M in milestones as BioXcel navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

With COVID‑19 indicators climbing and cold‑medicine sales up, Korean pharmacies debate ordering more self‑test kits, despite changed consumer attitudes and past overstock issues.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Jongkundang have terminated their two‑year joint sales of the P‑CAB drug Pexuclu, citing strategic business considerations.