40 Best pharmaceutical companies in South Korea

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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