Yuhan Corporation

What Yuhan Corporation does

Yuhan Corporation is South Korea's oldest pharmaceutical company, founded in 1926 by Dr. Ilhan New and headquartered in Seoul. Listed on the Korea Stock Exchange since 1962 (ticker: KR7000100008), the company has 2,157 employees and reported KRW 2.0677 trillion in sales for 2024, up from KRW 1.8589 trillion in 2023. Yuhan operates across a vertically integrated value chain: proprietary pharmaceutical R&D at its Central Research Institute in Yongin (oncology, metabolic disease, GI, rare disease, and immunology/inflammation), API manufacturing at the FDA-, EMA-, TGA-, and PMDA-approved Shi Hwa synthetic plant in Ansan, finished formulation manufacturing in Cheongju, and consumer health products sold domestically and exported under Yuhan brands and OEM arrangements.

The company's pipeline is anchored by differentiated small molecules and new biological entities, including the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor LECLAZA (Lazertinib) — the first Korea-originated oncology drug approved by the US FDA in August 2024 — the BBB-penetrating GCS inhibitor YH35995 (FDA orphan drug designation for Gaucher disease), the GDF15 analogue YH34160 for obesity, and the IgE trap fusion protein YH35324 (lesigercept) for allergic diseases. Yuhan generates revenue through three principal streams: (i) domestic and international sales of proprietary finished pharmaceutical products (ETC and OTC), (ii) API supply to global manufacturers including Gilead Sciences under a $139.8 million agreement running through end of 2027, and (iii) licensing and milestone payments from major partners including Janssen ($1.255B deal for Lazertinib, 2018), Gilead ($785M for NASH compounds, 2019), Boehringer Ingelheim ($870M, 2019), Processa Pharmaceuticals ($410.5M), and Spine Biopharma ($218.15M). The firm has publicly pivoted from technology out-licensing to global co-development via NewCo structures, and is investing in AI-based drug discovery platforms alongside TPD technology to pursue first-in-class candidates.

Yuhan is structured around a unique ownership model in which the Yuhan Foundation and Yuhan School together hold approximately 23.6% of shares, ensuring long-term reinvestment of profits into society per Dr. Ilhan New's founding philosophy. The corporate group includes wholly-owned subsidiaries (Yuhan Chemical, Yuhan Medica, UCARLIX, Y's medi, Yuhan Care, WARANTEC, Addpharma) and joint ventures with global multinationals — Yuhan-Kimberly (1970), Yuhan-Clorox (1977), Janssen Korea (1983), and ImmuneOncia Therapeutics (with Sorrento). Yuhan has been ranked Korea's Most Respected Pharmaceutical Company for 22 consecutive years by KMAC and was the 11th Korean listed company to reach centennial status in February 2025.

Name

Yuhan Corporation

Legal name

Yuhan Corporation

Website

https://eng.yuhan.co.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Yuhan Corporation is South Korea's oldest pharmaceutical company (founded 1926, publicly listed since 1962), developing and manufacturing innovative drugs in oncology, metabolic disease, GI disorders, rare diseases, and immunology, alongside APIs and consumer health products, and licensing pipeline assets to global pharma partners including Janssen, Gilead, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Small-Molecule API Commercial Manufacturing (HLAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small-Molecule API Process Development & Route Scouting (HLAGAHAA), Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support (HLAIALAH)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Drug development
• Oncology therapeutics
• Contract manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Sales of proprietary and licensed pharmaceutical drugs including oncology, metabolic, and gastrointestinal treatments. Revenue from domestic Korean market and international exports.
2. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): Manufacturing and supply of APIs and intermediates to global pharmaceutical companies including Gilead Sciences and other partners.
3. Consumer Health Products: Over-the-counter medications and health supplements sold through various retail channels including the new Mega Phactory warehouse drugstore model.
4. Licensing Revenue: Out-licensing deals with global pharmaceutical companies including Janssen (Lazertinib - $1.255B), Gilead, Boehringer Ingelheim, and others for development and commercialization rights.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Yuhan Corporation is a South Korean pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative small-molecule drugs and new biological entities for oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system disorders, and rare diseases. The company supplies active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to global pharmaceutical partners, sells branded and generic finished drugs domestically and internationally, and licenses late-stage drug candidates to multinational pharmaceutical companies. Manufacturing operations are conducted at cGMP-compliant facilities approved by the FDA, EMA, TGA, and PMDA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• New Origin: Premium health and lifestyle brand under YUHAN CARE, offering health supplements, skincare, and F&B products.
• Leclaza/Yuhan Lecraza
• Revanex

Products and services

• LECLAZA (Lazertinib) Third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment; first Korea-originated oncology drug to receive US FDA approval; out-licensed to Janssen Biotech for $1.255 billion; available in Korea under the Yuhan Lecraza brand and globally as LECLAZA.
• Revanex World's first acid pump antagonist (APA) drug for treating gastric ulcers and gastritis-related mucosal injury; a new chemical entity (NCE) developed by Yuhan and out-licensed to China in 2010.
• YH12852 Highly selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist for functional constipation and GI motility disorders; licensed to Processa Pharmaceuticals in a $410.5 million deal.
• YH34160 Long-acting GDF15 fusion protein candidate for obesity treatment; part of Yuhan's metabolic disease pipeline.
• YH35995 Blood-brain barrier-penetrating glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) inhibitor for Gaucher disease treatment; received FDA orphan drug designation, including for Type 3 Gaucher disease where no approved treatment currently exists.
• YH35324 (Lesigercept / GI-301) Long-acting IgE trap-Fc fusion protein in-licensed from GI Innovation for allergic diseases including chronic spontaneous urticaria, refractory urticaria, and wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA).
• BI3006337 Investigational NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) compound licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim in a $870 million deal; in Phase 1 clinical development.
• YHC1102 / YHC1108 Two investigational NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) compounds licensed to Gilead Sciences in a $785 million deal.
• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Intermediates Contract-manufactured APIs and intermediates produced at cGMP-compliant facilities approved by FDA, EMA, TGA, and PMDA; supplied to global pharmaceutical companies including a $139.8 million supply agreement with Gilead Sciences for HIV and other APIs.
• Custom Synthesis and Contract Manufacturing Services Custom synthesis and contract manufacturing services for global pharmaceutical partners; supplied through the Overseas Business division under cGMP-compliant operations.
• New Origin Health Supplements and Skincare Premium health and lifestyle brand under YUHAN CARE offering health supplements, skincare, and F&B products, including the immune-enhancing Henkiv Immune product.
• Zental and Newfactan (via Yuhan Medica)

Quantifiable outcome

• KRW 2.0677 Trillion in sales (2024) - 11% increase YoY
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Participation in '2026 Public-Private Partnership Open Innovation Support: Challenge for All in Bio' program alongside GC Green Cross and Chong Kun Dang. Selected startups receive up to 100 million won in commercialization funding.
• Processa PharmaceuticalsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2020Licensing of YH12852 for functional gastrointestinal motility disorders. Deal valued at $410.5 million.
• Boehringer IngelheimcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Licensing of BI3006337 for NASH treatment. Deal valued at $870 million.
• Gilead SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2019Licensing of YHC1102 and YHC1108 for NASH treatment. Deal valued at $785 million. Yuhan also signed $139.8 million API supply agreement with Gilead.
• Janssen Biotech (Johnson & Johnson)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2018Global co-development and licensing of Lazertinib (LECLAZA) for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Deal valued at $1.255 billion with Janssen. Yuhan received FDA approval for Leclaza in 2024 - the first domestically produced anticancer drug approved by US FDA.
• Spine BiopharmamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2018Licensing of YH14618 for degenerative disc disease treatment. Deal valued at $218.15 million.
• Yuhan-KimberlycoreOthersJoint venture with Kimberly-Clark established 1970. Leading home and personal care manufacturer in Korea with brands including Huggies, Kleenex, White, Good Feel.
• Janssen KoreacoreOthersJoint venture with Janssen Pharmaceutical Company (Belgium/J&J). Expanding market with gastroprokinetics (Pariet) and anti-fungal agents (Sporanox).
• Yuhan-CloroxmajorOthersJoint venture with Clorox established 1977. Products include Yuhanrox household bleach, Punclin liquid plumber, Vipon disinfectant.
• ImmuneOncia TherapeuticsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture with Sorrento Therapeutics. Immuno-oncology focused biopharma developing antibody-centric treatments for cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
• GI InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-licensing of YH35324 (GI-301/lesigercept) - long-acting IgEtrap-Fc fusion protein for allergic diseases. Part of 1.4 trillion won licensing agreement.
• HuinnominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for AI telemetry system Memo Cue deployment at hospitals. Yuhan expanding into digital healthcare services.
• Ubix TherapeuticsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive license for Ubix Therapeutics' preclinical AR degrader program for prostate cancer treatment.
• Yuhan ChemicalcoreOthersSubsidiary manufacturing antibiotics and antiviral drugs. Synthesizing plant designed and built in compliance with cGMP regulations.
• Yuhan Medica CorporationcoreOthersMaker of therapeutic drugs including Zental and bioactive nutriceuticals including Newfactan and vitamin E.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Daewoong Pharmaceutical: Daewoong is one of Korea's top pharmaceutical companies with both innovative drug development and API manufacturing, plus a sizable domestic OTC business. Comparable to Yuhan in integrated pharma model and Korean market focus.
• GC Biopharma (formerly Green Cross): GC Biopharma is a Korean pharmaceutical and biotech company with plasma-derived products, vaccines, and innovative drug pipelines. Similar to Yuhan in being a long-established Korean pharma with global ambitions.
• Hanmi Pharmaceutical: Hanmi is a Korean innovative pharmaceutical company with a similar licensing-heavy business model, multiple global out-licensing deals, and pipeline focus on oncology and metabolic diseases. Closest comparable to Yuhan in size, geography, and strategy.
• Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical: Chong Kun Dang is a Korean pharmaceutical company with both generic and innovative drug portfolios, similar size to Yuhan, and an established domestic Korean footprint with selected international expansion.
• Celltrion: Celltrion is Korea's leading biosimilars company with global commercial reach and significant manufacturing capacity. While focused on biosimilars rather than small molecules, it competes with Yuhan for the same Korean pharma talent, capital, and global partnership mindshare.

Broad incumbents

• Samsung Bioepis: Samsung Bioepis is a Korean biosimilars developer backed by Samsung Biologics with larger manufacturing scale and global commercial partnerships. A broader Korean biopharma incumbent that competes in the same ecosystem for global pharma partnerships.
• Daiichi Sankyo: Daiichi Sankyo is a Japanese global oncology pharma with strong ADC and targeted therapy pipeline. A comparable established Asian pharma with successful track record of converting Japanese-discovered science into global blockbuster assets.
• Astellas Pharma: Astellas is a Japanese global pharmaceutical company with oncology and specialty therapeutic focus, plus significant API manufacturing and licensing activities. Comparable in being an Asia-headquartered pharma competing in global oncology markets.

Emerging players

• SK Bioscience: SK Bioscience is a Korean biotech focused on vaccines and innovative biologics with growing global ambitions. Represents the next tier of Korean biopharma players expanding into global markets, partially overlapping Yuhan's growth trajectory.

Regional players

• Lupin: Lupin is an Indian pharmaceutical company with strong API manufacturing capabilities and global supply chain reach. Comparable in API manufacturing scale and focus on supplying global pharma, though operates from a different geography and therapeutic mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yuhan-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments26 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yuhan Corporation