Dongkuk Pharmaceutical announced record sales and operating profit for the first quarter of 2026. Consolidated sales reached 251 billion won ($211 million), operating profit 27.3 billion won ($23 million), and net profit 26.3 billion won ($22 million), representing year-over-year increases of 12.2%, 8%, and 46.4%, respectively. On a standalone basis, sales rose 15.9% to 212.4 billion won ($178 million), operating profit increased 12.3% to 23.3 billion won ($19.5 million), and net profit grew 40.6% to 23.6 billion won ($19.8 million).
The company attributed growth to improved efficiency in selling and administrative expenses and enhanced profitability in its Health & Beauty (H&B) division. The dermacosmetic brand Centellian24 continued global expansion across North America, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with exports increasing 332% year-over-year. Centellian24 is expanding in key channels such as Watsons, beauty edit shop Beautrium, Central Department Store, and beauty platform Konvi, while strengthening its local distribution network in Thailand through online and offline channels. The company's strategy to leverage its pharmaceutical trust to expand into consumer goods, including cosmetics and beauty devices, was cited as a key sales driver.
By business division, OTC, ETC, Health & Beauty, global business sectors, and subsidiary Dongkuk Life Sciences all experienced balanced growth. The OTC division grew through strengthened brand competitiveness and expansion into the general product market. The ETC division faced price reductions affecting injectables but expanded due to growth of the cholesterol treatment drug Rosutanjett. The global (export) division was bolstered by expansion of Lorelin in Latin American and Asian markets, increased sales of general anesthetic Propofol, and consistent growth of antibiotic raw material Teicoplanin.
Dongkuk Pharmaceutical plans to expand its future pipeline through open innovation and accelerate development of new products based on its drug delivery system (DDS). The company is commercializing the prostate cancer treatment Lorelin (one-month and three-month formulations) using microsphere technology. It also aims to strengthen growth drivers through new DDS pipeline products, including obesity treatments, acromegaly treatments, and immunosuppressants.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 15, 2026