Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s Nabota continues its strong market performance, exceeding 150 billion KRW in first-half sales. With plans to ramp up production via a new plant next year, the company is poised to address capacity constraints and solidify the brand’s blockbuster potential.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s botulinum toxin ‘Nabota’ has surpassed 150 billion KRW in sales in the first half of this year, continuing its growth trajectory. The company plans to significantly expand production capacity through the full-scale operation of its 3rd plant next year, aiming to develop Nabota into a blockbuster brand. Market observers predict that the resolution of chronic capacity saturation issues will accelerate the company’s global market expansion.
According to industry sources on the 23rd, Daewoong Pharmaceutical recorded Nabota sales of 153.7 billion KRW in the first half of this year. If growth continues in the second half, it could become the first domestic botulinum toxin product to achieve annual sales of 300 billion KRW.
Since its launch in 2014, Nabota has grown steadily, driven by overseas markets, particularly after receiving U.S. FDA approval. Nabota’s sales increased from 147 billion KRW in 2023 to 186.4 billion KRW in 2024, and further to 228.9 billion KRW last year. Based on this growth, the company aims to develop Nabota into a global blockbuster brand with annual sales of 500 billion KRW by 2030.
However, the rapid increase in demand has led to overcapacity issues at its production facilities. The Hyangnam plant, responsible for Nabota production, reported a utilization rate of 167% last year, indicating that production capacity has reached its limits. In the first quarter of this year, the utilization rate rose to 187%.
In response, Daewoong Pharmaceutical decided in 2023 to expand with a 3rd plant for Nabota, with an estimated investment of 101.4 billion KRW. Initially targeting completion in 2025 and operation in 2026, the schedule was slightly delayed due to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) approval procedures. The 3rd plant is now completed and is expected to begin full-scale production next year.
Once operational, Daewoong’s annual Nabota production capacity will increase from 5 million vials to 16 million vials. The new plant alone can produce 11 million vials annually, effectively expanding capacity by 2.2 times compared to the current level. The market views this capacity expansion as a way to alleviate utilization rate pressures while stably meeting growing global demand.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical is also accelerating overseas market expansion through country-specific strategies and global partnerships. In the U.S., it has secured a stable market position through its partner Evolus, selling under the ‘Jeuveau’ brand. In Central and South America and Southeast Asia, the company is expanding sales through new market development and premium strategies. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, it has secured the widest sales network among domestic manufacturers, broadening its global market presence.
Additionally, Daewoong is expanding its Nabota production workforce. The company recently announced open recruitment for its Nabota QA team. The QA team is responsible for overall quality management, from raw material management to manufacturing processes, quality assurance (QA), validation, and product release.
