Bukwang Pharmaceutical (003000) surpassed 100 billion won in first-half sales for the first time since its founding. Rising prescription drug sales, led by central nervous system (CNS) treatments, drove the top-line growth.
Bukwang Pharmaceutical said on the 21st that its consolidated sales for the first half of this year reached 104.8 billion won, up 15.9% from 90.4 billion won in the first half of last year. It marks the first time first-half sales have exceeded 100 billion won. Second-quarter sales rose 34% to 57 billion won from 42.6 billion won.
The earnings growth was led by expanded sales of key prescription drugs. Off-site prescription volumes for strategic products such as Dexid and Thioctacid, treatments for diabetic neuropathy, increased 7% from the first half of 2025. In particular, off-site prescription volumes for CNS strategic products rose 32% over the same period, exceeding the market average growth rate by 7.4 percentage points.
By product, Latuda, a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, surged 112%, while Zaledip, an insomnia treatment, rose 34%, and Orfil, an epilepsy treatment, increased 10%. Sales growth at subsidiaries Bukwang Medica and Contera Pharma also contributed to the improved results.
By contrast, operating profit for the first half fell 49.9% to 2.5 billion won, marking a decline in profitability. The rising exchange rate raised the purchasing costs of imported raw materials and finished products, while manufacturing costs increased as outsourced production expanded during the construction of an automated production line. In addition, initial marketing expenses for the launch of six new products in the first half and clinical costs for subsidiary Contera Pharma's Parkinson's disease treatment candidate "CP-012" were reflected.
CEO Lee Je-young said at an investor briefing held that day, "As most of the costs are one-time expenses, we expect profitability to improve from the second half." He added, "In particular, once the automated line is completed, we anticipate the cost burden will also decrease."
