South Korean medical aesthetics companies are accelerating market moves. Medytox's first-in-class bile-acid-based fat reduction injection NUVIJU has sold over 10,000 vials within two months of launch, signaling strong early demand. Meanwhile, Chong Kun Dang Health is expanding brand touchpoints through sports sponsorship, and Huons has been selected for a government smart factory project to upgrade its injectable and ophthalmic production quality management.
Medytox's NUVIJU: Early sales and clinical data drive market expansion
Medytox announced on March 17 that its world-first cholic acid (CA)-based submental fat reduction injection, NUVIJU, surpassed 10,000 vials in cumulative sales just two months after launch. NUVIJU is the first new drug in the domestic medical aesthetics market indicated for moderate-to-severe submental fat and was approved as Korea's 40th new drug by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The company says NUVIJU uses cholic acid as its main ingredient for the first time globally, and was developed to reduce adverse reactions such as edema and bruising. The formulation is pH 7.4, similar to the human body, to minimize injection pain, and excludes chemical excipients like benzyl alcohol and benzethonium chloride that can irritate the skin.
In a Phase 3 trial involving 240 patients with moderate-to-severe submental fat, 88.57% of the NUVIJU group showed at least a one-grade improvement versus 32.43% for placebo, and 46.67% showed a two-grade or greater improvement versus 5.41% for placebo. Additional non-clinical studies found significantly lower blood stress hormone levels and pain-related receptor expression in skin tissue compared to controls.
What buyers should watch
For overseas distributors and clinics evaluating submental fat reduction options, NUVIJU's rapid early adoption and robust Phase 3 data suggest a strong value proposition. Its differentiated mechanism (cholic acid) and patient-friendly formulation (neutral pH, no irritating excipients) could appeal to clinics seeking safer, more comfortable injectable treatments. Medytox plans to expand academic and marketing activities for medical professionals based on these differentiating data.
Chong Kun Dang Health: Sports sponsorship as brand marketing
Chong Kun Dang Health (CEO Jeong Su-cheol) sponsored the 'KPGA Classic with I'm Vita' golf tournament held March 11-14 at Cypress Golf & Resort in Jeju. As presenting sponsor, the company promoted its premium vitamin brand I'm Vita under the slogan 'Premium Vitamin Partner'.
During the tournament, the company operated an 'I'm Vita Station' at Hole 1, offering its flagship 'I'm Vita Multivitamin Immun Shot' and 'Vita Amino Gel' energy booster for high-intensity exercise. It also ran on-site events and prize draws for gallery visitors. Additionally, Chong Kun Dang highlighted its high-dose B-complex active vitamin product 'Benfobell' and topical analgesic 'Kepem' through a dedicated space in the clubhouse.
Huons: Smart factory project for injectable and ophthalmic quality upgrade
Huons (CEO Song Soo-young) has been selected for the '2026 Inter-Ministerial Smart Factory Construction Support Project (Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices)' organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The project aims to upgrade quality management for injectables and eye drops at Huons' Jecheon 2 Plant over approximately nine months until March 2027.
Huons plans to transfer digital transformation (DX) know-how from its Jecheon 1 Plant (previously selected as a smart factory pilot) to Jecheon 2 Plant, completing company-wide smart manufacturing innovation. In collaboration with PharmSoft and Inpact, it will perform computer system validation (CSV) and maximize readiness for global regulatory audits.
Key solutions to be introduced include an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN), Laboratory Automation System (LAS), and an upgraded Quality Management System (QMS). The company expects to eliminate over 70,000 sheets of paper annually and reduce approval man-hours by more than 85% (from 1,207 hours to 180 hours).
Regulatory and channel signals
Huons' smart factory initiative signals a broader trend among Korean pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers toward digital quality systems that meet global regulatory standards. For overseas buyers, this means more reliable supply chains and easier compliance with international audits. Huons CEO Song Soo-young stated, "Through this smart factory upgrade, we will lead AI innovation beyond simple manufacturing innovation, and focus on expanding global markets and diversifying customers based on secured manufacturing competitiveness."
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 17, 2026