The best pharmaceutical companies in South Korea surpassed the $21 billion mark in 2018.
Its growth has been fueled by some of the major South Korean companies that launched new global drugs and achieved technology exports.
Pharmaceutical Industry in South Korea
South Korean pharmaceutical companies based in R and D have continuously tracked R and D’s productivity and effectiveness to overcome its disadvantageous resources compared to advanced nations.
The national cooperation network between industry, universities, and public research institutions. and strong will and vision for the global market.
South Korea has also emerged as a key factor in global healthcare innovation. The modern pharmaceutical industry in South Korea has a 110-year history that began in the late 19th century when the first modern pharmaceutical company started operations.
With the establishment of the product patent system, South Korean pharmaceutical companies launched large-scale RandD activities as the latest breakthrough to cope with the rapidly changing pharmaceutical environment and spared no effort to accelerate their RandD activities to develop new drugs for around 30 years with the firm conviction to make a significant contribution to global pharmaceutical innovations for a healthy life of the population.
COVID19 and South Korean pharmaceutical companies
The global coronavirus pandemic has hit South Korean pharmaceutical companies hard. Most of them suffered from falling revenues and losses due to poor overseas results due to the pandemic, a drop in prescriptions as people avoided hospitals, ongoing legal challenges, etc.
A few South Korean pharmaceutical companies reported higher revenues in 2020, including Yuhan Corporation.
Kolmar Korea’s sales increased dramatically in 2020, likely due to its involvement in the development and production of health and beauty products.
GC Pharma is now involved in vaccine development and treatments for cancer and infectious diseases.
Pharmaceutical drugs relating to cancer see high use rates, and the development in the field of infectious diseases has naturally occurred during the pandemic helping the company to increase its income.
40 Best Pharmaceutical Companies in South Korea
Here is a list of some of the pharmaceutical companies operating in South Korea, alongside their contact information:
- Aekyung Industrial Co., Ltd.
Address: 1547-9 Chungui-ro, Jeongsan-myeon Cheongyang, Chungnam, 33353 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-27682182
Website: visit here
Year Started: 1985
Incorporated: 1994
- ASAN FOUNDATION
Address: 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu Seoul, Seoul, 05505 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-216887575
Website: visit
Year Started: 1977
Incorporated: 1989
- BCWORLDPHARM CO., LTD.
Address: 872-23 Yeojunam-ro, Ganam-eup Yeoju, Gyeonggi, 12661 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-318816800
Website: click here
Revenue: $51.01 million
Sales Growth: 10.05%
Year Started: 1980
Incorporated: 1980
- BIONOTE, INC.
Address: 22 Samsung 1-ro 4-gil Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, 18449 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-7040666103
Website: click here
Year Started: 2015
Incorporated: 2003
- Boryung Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Address: 136 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu Seoul, Seoul, 03127 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-27404173
Website: Click Here
Revenue: $503.43 million
Sales Growth: 7.17%
Year Started: 1963
Incorporated: 1963
- Celltrion, Inc.
Address: 23 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu Incheon, Incheon, 22014 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-16618722
Revenue: $1.66 billion
Sales Growth: 63.86%
Year Started: 1991
Incorporated: 1991
- CHOA PHORINACEUTICAL CO.,LTD.
Address: Rm 101 1/F AS Techno Tower 12 Dangsan-ro 2-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu Seoul, Seoul, 07299 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-266709200
Website: click here
Revenue: $58.56 million
Sales Growth: -3.22%
Year Started: 1996
Incorporated: 1996
- Chong Kun Dang Pharm. Corp.
Address: 8 Chungjeong-ro, Seodaemun-gu Seoul, Seoul, 03742 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-221940492
Website: visit here
Revenue: $1.17 billion
Sales Growth: 20.72%
Year Started: 2013
Incorporated: 2013
- CMG Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd
Address: 14 Dosan-daero 66-gil, Gangnam-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06064 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-318817624
Website: click here
Revenue: $57.76 million
Year Started: 2001 Incorporated: 2001
- Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Address: 35-14 Jeyakgongdan 4-gil, Hyangnam-eup Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, 18623 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-25508800
Website: click here
Revenue: $945.66 million
Sales Growth: -5.21%
Year Started: 2002
Incorporated: 2002
- DHP KOREA Co., Ltd.
Address: 50 Osongsaengmyeong 6-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28158 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-220270078
Website: click here
Revenue: $54.50 million
Sales Growth: 0.64%
Year Started: 2010
Incorporated: 2010
- DOBU LIFE TECH CO.,LTD
Address: 38-3 Hoean-daero, Opo-eup Gwangju, Gyeonggi, 12798 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-317659311
Website: visit
Year Started: 2000
Incorporated: 2000
- Dong-A ST Co.,Ltd.
Address: 64 Cheonho-daero, Dongdaemun-gu Seoul, Seoul, 02587 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-29208111
Website: click here
Revenue: $525.71 million
Sales Growth: -4.18%
Year Started: 2013
Incorporated: 2013
- DongKook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Address: 7 Teheran-ro 108-gil, Gangnam-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06175 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-221919810
Website: click here
Revenue: $500.96 million
Sales Growth: 15.93%
Year Started: 1968
Incorporated: 1968
- Duksan Pure Chemicals Co.,Ltd.
Address: 53 Sinwon-ro 133beon-gil, Danwon-gu Ansan, Gyeonggi, 15409 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-314954055
Website: visit here
Year Started: 1989
Incorporated: 1985
- ESTECHPHARMA CO., LTD
Address: 25 Barangongdan-ro, Hyangnam-eup Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, 18608 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-234601025
Revenue: $54.95 million
Sales Growth: 31.91%
Year Started: 1998
Incorporated: 1999
- GeneBioTech Co.,Ltd
Address: 166 Sinwonsa-ro, Gyeryong-myeon Gongju, Chungnam, 32619 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-418539961
Revenue: $52.97 million
Sales Growth: 1.5%
Year Started: 2000
Incorporated: 2000
- Green Cross Corporation
Address: 107 Ihyeon-ro 30beon-gil, Giheung-gu Yongin, Gyeonggi, 16924 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-312600878
Website: click here
Revenue: $1.35 billion
Sales Growth: 10.83%
Year Started: 1969 Incorporated: 1969
- HANDOK Inc.
Address: 132 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06235 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-25275298
Website: click here
Revenue: $451.24 million
Sales Growth: 6.47%
Year Started: 1958
Incorporated: 1958
- Hanmi Pharm. Co.,Ltd.
Address: 214 Muha-ro, Paltan-myeon Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, 18536 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-313505783
Website: click here
Revenue: $963.96 million
Sales Growth: -3.39%
Year Started: 2010
Incorporated: 2010
- Hanwha Pharma Co.,Ltd.
Address: 109 Yakam-gil, Nam-myeon Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24468 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-332600500
Year Started: 1982
Incorporated: 1982
- HK inno.N Corporation
Address: 7,8/F Pine Avenue A-dong 100 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu Seoul, Seoul, 04551 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-267402119
Website: visit here
Year Started: 2014
Incorporated: 2014
- IL DONG HOLDINGS CO.,LTD
Address: 2 Baumoe-ro 27-gil, Seocho-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06752 Republic Of Korea See other locatio
Phone: +82-25263114
Employee (this site): 79
Revenue: $503.41 million Sales
Growth: 8.58%
Assets: $542
Year Started: 1941
Incorporated: 1941
- Jeil Pharma Holdings Inc.
Address: 343 Sapyeong-daero, Seocho-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06543 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-25497451
Website: click here
Revenue: $619.43 million
Sales Growth: 2.97%
Year Started: 1959
Incorporated: 1959
- JW PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
Address: 2477 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06725 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-28406862
Website: click here
Revenue: $490.41 million
Sales Growth: 7.04%
Year Started: 1953
Incorporated: 1953
- KOLMAR KOREA CO., LTD.
Address: 22-17 Sandan-gil, Jeonui-myeon Sejong, Sejong, 30003 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-448618608
Website: click here
Year Started: 2014
Incorporated: 2014
- Korean Drug Co.,Ltd.
Address: 69-10 Wonjeok-ro, Sindun-myeon Icheon, Gyeonggi, 17303 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-316347100
Website: click here
Revenue: $59.84 million
Sales Growth: 20.28%
Year Started: 1980
Incorporated: 1980
- Kwang dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Address: 85 Seochojungang-ro, Seocho-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06650 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-316121215
Website: click here
Revenue: $1.11 billion
Sales Growth: 0.45%
Year Started: 1973
Incorporated: 1973
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Korea Co., Ltd.
Address: 80 Jeyakgongdan 2-gil, Hyangnam-eup Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, 18622 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-313536671
Website: click here
Year Started: 1984
Incorporated: 1983
- MSD KOREA CO., LTD.
Address: 23/F 416 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu Seoul, Seoul, 04637 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-23312000
Website: visit here
Year Started: 1994
Incorporated: 1994
- NEXT BT Co., LTD.
Address: 7/F 767 Sinsu-ro, Suji-gu Yongin, Gyeonggi, 16827 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-234014490
Website: click here
Revenue: $58.86 million
Sales Growth: 11.59%
Year Started: 1995
Incorporated: 1995
- PENMIX Co., Ltd.
Address: 33 Georimak-gil, Jiksan-eup SeoBuk-gu Cheonan, Chungnam, 31032 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-414152626
Website: visit
Year Started: 2002
Incorporated: 2002
- SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS Co., Ltd.
Address: 300 Songdo bio-daero, Yeonsu-gu Incheon, Incheon, 21987 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-324553114
Website: click here
Revenue: $1.04 billion
Sales Growth: 66.02%
Year Started: 2011
Incorporated: 2011
- Sinil Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.
Address: 28 Boksanggol-gil, Angseong-myeon Chungju, Chungbuk, 27304 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-437223300
Website: Click Here
Revenue: $55.05 million
Sales Growth: 1.3%
Year Started: 1977
Incorporated: 1977
- SINSIN PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,LTD.
Address: 9 Sojeongsandandong-ro, Sojeong-myeon Sejong, Sejong, 30002 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-220301643
Website: click here
Revenue: $60.15 million
Sales Growth: 1.07%
Year Started: 1959
Incorporated: 1959
- SK CHEMICALS CO.,LTD
Address: 310 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13494 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-220082008
Website: visit here
Revenue: $1.09 billion
Sales Growth: 9.15%
Year Started: 2017
Incorporated: 2017
- SolGent Co., Ltd.
Address: 43-10 Techno 5-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon, Daejeon, 34014 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-7070065962
Website: click here
Year Started: 2000
Incorporated: 2000
- Suheung Co.,Ltd.
Address: 61 Osongsaengmyeong-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28161 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-222108180
Website: click here
Year Started: 1973
Incorporated: 1978
- ROCHE KOREA CO., LTD.
Address: 17/F 411 Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06615 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-234513600
Website: click here
Year Started: 1983 Incorporated: 1983
- Yuhan Corporation
Address: 74 Noryangjin-ro, Dongjak-gu Seoul, Seoul, 06927 Republic Of Korea
Phone: +82-28280181
Website: visit here
Revenue: $1.45 billion
Sales Growth: 9.42%
Year Started: 1926
Incorporated: 1936
FAQs about the Pharmaceutical companies in South Korea
How many pharmaceutical groups are there in South Korea? In 2020, there had been 618 pharmaceutical groups in South Korea
What are the leading Pharmaceutical companies in South Korea?
Major South Korean pharmaceutical companies include Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Chongkundang, Celltrion, and others. Hanmi was the leading company by production value in 2020. Hanmi posted a 50 percent drop in sales in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, mainly due to poor sales in the Chinese market.
What is the leading drug sector in South Korea? Drugs for the cardiovascular system represented the leading therapeutic area for South Korean drugs in 2019, followed by drugs for the central nervous system and digestive and metabolic drugs.
What’s the total investment in R&D by South Korean pharmaceutical companies?
The total investment in R&D by South Korean public pharmaceutical companies (125 companies) was US$1,423 million in 2018, accounting for 7.7% of total sales.
The investment of the top 10 companies in RandD was US$787 million, accounting for 10.0% of total revenue in pharmaceuticals.
The total spending in RandD by domestic listed pharmaceutical innovative companies (37 companies) accounted for 74% of the cumulative RandD spending and the RandD spending ratio was 9.3%.
A final thought on the pharmaceutical companies in South Korea
There have been wonderful advances in research and development of new drugs over the past 30 years in the South Korean pharmaceutical industry.
About 33 new drugs were approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (MFDS), USFDA approved 2 drugs, the world’s first monoclonal antibody biosimilar, about 15 new drug candidates approved by IND (by the United States FDA, EMA), 200 or more approved (to 30 countries) new drug candidates and technologies, about 300 finished drugs and APIs already launched in foreign markets including the US and EU, about 1,000 potential customers or existing drug candidates in South Korean pharmaceutical laboratories, 124 to be traded on the world market by 2014~2016, etc. Considering the prospects of success, 31 new drugs was launched by 2020.
The Korean pharmaceutical industry owes these successful future-oriented and innovative activities not only to its own strong passion and solid R&D investments for a growth strategy through innovation in research and development of new drugs but also to the systemic R and D ecosystem surrounding the industry.
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