!["Not Altogen or Ecopro"... Samchundang Pharmaceutical Becomes KOSDAQ Market Cap No. 1 [Pick Pick Report] - Seoul Economic Daily Finance News from South Korea](https://wimg.sedaily.com/news/cms/2026/03/20/news-p.v1.20260123.82e37f43e5174756a5cd3fadd161ad53_P1.png "Samchundang Pharma Surpasses EcoPro as KOSDAQ's Top Stock")
Samchundang Pharmaceutical (000250) has overtaken EcoPro (086520) to claim the top market capitalization spot on KOSDAQ. This marks the first time Samchundang Pharma has held the number one position on the tech-heavy index.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 20th, Samchundang Pharma was trading at 936,500 won, up 141,500 won (17.80%) from the previous trading day. The stock reached as high as 955,000 won during the session before paring some gains.
The pharmaceutical company hit a 52-week high as shares surged, with market capitalization exceeding 21 trillion won. In the morning session, the stock surpassed Alteogen (196170) to rank second on KOSDAQ, then overtook EcoPro in the afternoon to become the index's leading stock.
Securities analysts continue to give positive assessments of Samchundang Pharma's technology. The company announced the previous day that it had completed submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Phase 1/2 clinical trials of its oral insulin in Europe. The trial will compare the glucose control efficacy, bioavailability, and food effects of oral insulin (SCD0503) against subcutaneous insulin in Type 1 diabetes patients.
Wi Hae-ju, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities, noted in a report: "Type 1 patients lack endogenous insulin, making it easier to measure the glucose control effects of external insulin, but the absence of internal homeostasis systems creates significant hypoglycemia risk from the drug." Wi added: "The test insulin must have clear pharmacokinetics to complete clinical trials without adverse reactions."
"Samchundang Pharma is estimated to have confirmed a certain degree of success potential in patients through separate pilot clinical trials," Wi pointed out. "Clinical results should be available by year-end. If successful, the company would move closer to developing the world's first oral insulin and could gain attention as a market game-changer."
Wi further stated: "The U.S. contract for an oral Wegovy generic incorporating S-PASS (a platform technology converting injectables to oral formulations) is proceeding on track." The analyst added: "Interest in Samchundang Pharma remains inevitably high despite external uncertainties, as promised catalysts are being realized without setbacks."
