Sam Chun Dang Pharm., a leading player in South Korea's pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, is rapidly expanding its global presence based on its innovative pipeline. The company is particularly capturing investor attention with remarkable achievements in oral GLP-1, a biosimilar for wet age-related macular degeneration treatment, and long-acting injectable formulations. This article aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s main pipelines and shed light on their global vision, exploring how they are securing future growth engines through proprietary technology and strategic international partnerships.
Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s oral GLP-1 therapeutic agent, developed using its core platform technology S-PASS, is generating high expectations for opening new horizons in the global diabetes and obesity treatment market. Notably, on February 26, 2026, the company signed an exclusive license and commercialization definitive agreement with a global pharmaceutical company based in Europe for 11 European countries, including the UK, thus proving its potential. This landmark deal, valued at approximately 5.3 trillion KRW, includes a payment of 30 million Euros in upfront fees and milestones, and a groundbreaking profit-sharing arrangement where Sam Chun Dang Pharm. will receive 60% of the net sales. Leveraging its proprietary 'SNAC-free' formulation technology, Sam Chun Dang Pharm. completely bypasses the patents of originator drugs and secures overwhelming cost competitiveness in production. This strategic advantage is projected to grant the company a de facto monopolistic position in the European market beyond 2031.
Building on this successful entry into the European market, Sam Chun Dang Pharm. plans to accelerate its global expansion by pursuing additional definitive agreements for the remaining key large markets in the EU, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, as well as the North American market. The oral GLP-1 market, solely for diabetes treatment indications, is currently valued at approximately 9 trillion KRW and is expected to expand to over 30 trillion KRW in the future, with an average annual growth rate of 45%. Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s S-PASS platform, which converts injectable biologics into oral formulations, will significantly enhance market competitiveness by dramatically improving patient convenience.
Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s biosimilar for the wet age-related macular degeneration treatment Eylea, 'SCD411' (domestic product name: Vizenfree), is accelerating its global market preemption by obtaining marketing approvals in numerous countries. The product received marketing approval in Canada in July 2025, followed by Europe in August, and South Korea and Japan in September. Notably, it is the world's first pre-filled syringe (PFS) formulation, enhancing patient convenience and safety. This serves as a distinct competitive advantage compared to rivals and is expected to significantly contribute to market share expansion. SCD411 demonstrated high profitability by recording 9.7 billion KRW in sales and an operating profit margin of approximately 60% within just three months of being listed on the Canadian insurance drug price list in late 2025. The company has secured confirmed purchase orders exceeding 750,000 vials in Europe and Canada alone, anticipating robust sales growth in 2026.
Sam Chun Dang Pharm. is continuously expanding its global supply agreements for SCD411. Following agreements for the United States and six countries in Central and South America, eight countries in Eastern Europe, and several European countries including France, the company signed an additional supply agreement in February 2026 with six Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, by concurrently developing a high-dose (8mg) formulation, with clinical trials scheduled to commence in 2026 and global supply targeted from late 2028, the company is securing medium-to-long-term growth engines. The successful commercialization of the Eylea biosimilar is slated to be utilized as funding for Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s next-generation new drug research and development investments.
Sam Chun Dang Pharm. is also accelerating its global market entry in the field of long-acting injectables (LAI). The company currently has four LAI pipelines nearing commercialization, consisting of two microsphere-based products and two liposome-based products. Notably, 'Octreotide,' a treatment for acromegaly (1-month formulation), is in the final stages of clinical trials, with plans to submit for US marketing approval in mid-2026. Agreements for the US and Canadian markets have already been finalized. 'Leuprolide,' a treatment for prostate cancer (various dosing intervals), has also demonstrated equivalence to the originator drug and has received a Term Sheet from its partner company.
For the two liposome-based products targeting cancer and fungal infections, technology transfer agreement negotiations for the partner company's dedicated plant are underway, with the technology transfer operations scheduled to commence in February 2026. In addition, the development of oral insulin is a key pillar of the S-PASS platform. Sam Chun Dang Pharm. is gaining attention by preparing for global Phase 1 clinical trials in the oral insulin field, an area where even global pharmaceutical companies face significant challenges. An agreement with a Chinese partner stipulates that a definitive contract will be signed after the completion of global Phase 1 clinical trials, allowing Sam Chun Dang Pharm. to focus on securing a stable supply of raw materials and global clinical trials. This diversified pipeline strategy will serve as a crucial foundation for Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s sustainable growth.
Sam Chun Dang Pharm. is expanding its research and development (R&D) capabilities by accelerating the development of treatments for metabolic diseases, such as oral insulin and GLP-1, moving beyond its traditional focus on ophthalmic diseases. The successful commercialization of the Eylea biosimilar and the subsequent revenue generation will provide a strong financial base for next-generation new drug development. The S-PASS platform technology, in particular, has the potential to lead a paradigm shift by offering oral formulations as a new option in the injectable-centric biopharmaceutical market. Through these innovative technologies and global partnerships, Sam Chun Dang Pharm. is presenting a vision to leap beyond being merely a generic drug company to become a global new drug development enterprise.
The imminent launch of its LAI pipelines in the North American market and the ongoing negotiations for liposome technology transfer agreements are expected to further strengthen Sam Chun Dang Pharm.'s growth drivers. The year 2026 is anticipated to be a pivotal year where Sam Chun Dang Pharm. reaps the rewards of its accumulated technological prowess and pipeline development, demonstrating tangible results in the global market. As a frontrunner in the domestic pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, keen attention is focused on the innovative path Sam Chun Dang Pharm. will forge. More detailed information can be found on the Sam Chun Dang Pharm. website.
A1: S-PASS is a platform technology independently developed by Sam Chun Dang Pharm. It is designed to convert protein-based drugs and monoclonal antibody drugs, primarily administered via injection, such as insulin and GLP-1, into oral formulations. The technology prevents degradation by stomach acid and enhances absorption and permeation in the gastrointestinal tract, enabling oral administration.
A2: The primary competitive advantage of SCD411 is that it is the world's first pre-filled syringe (PFS) formulation, enhancing patient convenience and safety. Additionally, based on its proprietary formulation technology that bypasses originator drug patents, it secures high price competitiveness in the global market.
A3: Sam Chun Dang Pharm. is targeting major developed markets, starting with Europe, followed by North America, with its oral GLP-1. In Europe, through its 'SNAC-free' technology, it aims to circumvent formulation patents and secure a competitive edge over rivals to preempt the market even after the originator's substance patent expires in 2031.
A4: Sam Chun Dang Pharm. currently possesses four long-acting injectable pipelines (two microsphere-based, two liposome-based) nearing commercialization. The acromegaly treatment 'Octreotide' is planned for US marketing approval submission in mid-2026, and technology transfer agreements for the liposome-based products are under negotiation.
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