Korea's top pharmaceutical firms spend over $72.13 mil. each in first hald of the year for R&D: data

Korea's leading pharmaceutical firms invested over $72.13 million each in research and development (R&D) during the first half of the year, according to data released on Sunday. This substantial expenditure reflects their determination to establish future growth engines within the industry. Yuhan Corp., renowned for its anti-inflammatory ointment Antiphlamine, disclosed in a regulatory filing that it allocated a total of 122.2 billion won to R&D between January and June.

This represents a 13.8% increase compared to the same period last year and accounts for 10.5% of the company's sales generated during this period. Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp., known for its popular pain reliever Penzal, invested 113.5 billion won, or 12.3% of its first-half sales, into new drug development. This figure marks a significant 36.6% increase from R&D spending during the first half of 2025.

Hanmi Pharm Co. also contributed 125.5 billion won, or 14.6% of its half-year sales, to R&D efforts. The company launched an initiative in 2023 to develop a new pipeline of drugs.