SK Life Science

What SK Life Science does

SK Life Science, Inc. is the US commercial and development subsidiary of SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (itself part of SK Group, South Korea's 2nd-largest conglomerate with $151 billion in combined global revenue). Headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey with US R&D/lab operations in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, the company develops and commercializes therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and oncology. Its flagship product, XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) CV, is FDA-approved for focal-onset seizures in adults and was the first molecule discovered, developed and commercialized through FDA approval by a Korea-based company without partnering or out-licensing.

The company's underlying technology centers on cenobamate's dual mechanism of action — preferential inhibition of the persistent sodium current plus positive allosteric modulation of the GABA-A receptor — which is differentiated within the antiseizure category. R&D integrates target-based drug discovery, high-throughput and high-content screening, computer-aided drug design and combinatorial chemistry, with artificial intelligence being progressively embedded across discovery, development and operations. The pipeline comprises 12 compounds spanning epilepsy formulations, sleep disorders (solriamfetol, out-licensed to Axsome as Sunosi), Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, ADHD, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and an alpha-emitter radiopharmaceutical oncology platform (SKL35501/NTSR1 and SKL37321/CA9) built via the Full-Life Technologies license and TerraPower radioisotope supply.

SK Life Science earns revenue through direct commercial sales of XCOPRI in the US via a specialty pharmacy distribution network supported by an enterprise field sales force, the only direct-to-consumer campaign of any anti-seizure drug on the US market, and an HCP education platform (Epilepsy Connect). Internationally, revenue is generated through licensing and royalty agreements with regional partners — Angelini Pharma (Europe), Paladin Labs (Canada), Dexcel (Israel), Dong-A ST (30 countries), Hikma (MENA), Ignis Therapeutics (China), Ono Pharmaceutical (Japan) and Eurofarma (Latin America). The company targets a horizontal segmentation across adult and pediatric epilepsy patient populations, treating prescribers (epileptologists, neurologists, advanced practice providers) as a core persona. More than 100,000 patients have been treated with cenobamate cumulatively across the US, Europe, UK, Sweden, Israel and Canada.

Name

SK Life Science

Legal name

SK Life Science, Inc.

Website

https://sklifescienceinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SK Life Science is the US subsidiary of SK Biopharmaceuticals, commercializing XCOPRI (cenobamate) for adult focal seizures and advancing a 12-compound pipeline spanning CNS disorders and oncology radiopharmaceutical therapies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Antiseizure Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)

Keywords

• Antiseizure medications
• CNS therapeutics
• Epilepsy treatment
• Radiopharmaceutical therapy
• Central nervous system drugs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paramus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. XCOPRI/Cenobamate Product Sales: SK Life Science generates revenue through direct commercial sales of XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) in the US market. The product is prescribed for focal seizures in adults. Revenue is derived from prescription volume through pharmacy distribution channels.
2. Global Licensing and Royalty Revenue: SK Biopharmaceuticals generates licensing and royalty revenue from international partners commercializing cenobamate: Angelini Pharma (Europe/ONTOZRY), Paladin Labs (Canada), Dexcel Pharma (Israel), Dong-A ST (30 countries), Hikma (MENA), Ignis Therapeutics (China), Ono Pharmaceutical (Japan), Eurofarma (Latin America). SK Biopharmaceuticals also licensed solriamfetol to Axsome and Ignis.
3. Solriamfetol Licensing: SK Biopharmaceuticals discovered and licensed-out the FDA and EMA-approved treatment for sleep disorders (solriamfetol, marketed as Sunosi by Axsome) after completing phase 1 clinical trials. Revenue stream from licensing agreements with Axsome Therapeutics and Ignis Therapeutics for narcolepsy and OSA indications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SK Life Science is a pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and oncology. Its lead commercial product is XCOPRI (cenobamate), an antiseizure medication for focal-onset seizures in adults. The company maintains a pipeline of approximately 12 compounds spanning CNS and oncology indications and supports patients through a dedicated navigator program and copay assistance.

Product overview

SK Life Science is a pharmaceutical company commercializing treatments for CNS disorders and oncology. Core commercial product is XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) CV, an FDA-approved antiseizure medication for focal seizures in adults. The company has an investigational oral suspension formulation of cenobamate under FDA review. Digital offerings include Epilepsy Connect for healthcare provider education and the SK Life Science Navigator patient support program. The pipeline encompasses 12 compounds across epilepsy, sleep disorders, ADHD, schizophrenia, and oncology including radiopharmaceutical therapies. Through the Mentis Care joint venture, the company is developing AI-driven epilepsy management tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) CV: FDA-approved antiseizure medication for treating focal seizures in adults, discovered and developed by SK Biopharmaceuticals and SK Life Science
• Epilepsy Connect
• SK Life Science Navigator Program
• Mentis Care

Products and services

• XCOPRI (cenobamate)
• Cenobamate Oral Suspension
• SK Life Science Navigator Program
• Epilepsy Connect
• Mentis Care

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ patients treated with cenobamate globally across US, Europe, UK, Sweden, Israel and Canada
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KOTRAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 June 2026SK Biopharmaceuticals signed MOU with KOTRA biotechnology consortium to jointly operate SK Life Science LinX innovation hub support programs for Korean biotech companies entering US market.
• Korean American Society in Biotech and PharmaceuticalsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 June 2026MOU signed to jointly operate support programs under three-way cooperation with KOTRA and SK Life Science LinX. Planning academic symposiums at the innovation hub.
• KHIDI / Hallym University (Station C)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 June 2026Station C startup support program operated by KHIDI and Hallym University will be hosted at SK Life Science LinX innovation hub.
• Eurofarma (Mentis Care JV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025SK Biopharmaceuticals and Eurofarma launched Mentis Care, a joint venture to develop an AI-based epilepsy management platform in Toronto, Canada. Platform aims to combine seizure detection, prediction algorithms, and clinical decision support to improve personalized patient care.
• Full-Life TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025SK Biopharmaceuticals licenses global rights to FL-091 radiopharmaceutical compound from Full-Life Technologies for SKL35501 development.
• Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SK Biopharmaceuticals signs radiopharmaceutical therapy R&D MoA and collaborative research agreement with Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences.
• HikmacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023SK Biopharmaceuticals established alliance with Hikma to commercialize cenobamate in Middle East and North Africa.
• ProEn TherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023SK Biopharmaceuticals signs agreement with ProEn Therapeutics for radiopharmaceutical development.
• TerraPowerminorOthers · 1 January 2023SK Biopharmaceuticals signs radioisotope supply agreement with TerraPower for radiopharmaceutical therapy development.
• Dong-A STcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022SK Biopharmaceuticals signs licensing deal with Dong-A ST to commercialize cenobamate in 30 countries.
• EurofarmacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021SK Biopharmaceuticals entered cenobamate licensing agreement with Eurofarma for Latin American markets.
• Cala HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SK Biopharmaceuticals entered partnership with Cala Health to fuel innovation in neurology.
• Angelini Pharma (Arvelle Therapeutics)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Partner Arvelle Therapeutics (acquired by Angelini Pharma) received European Commission marketing authorization for ONTOZRY (cenobamate). ONTOZRY launched in Germany as part of Europe-wide commercial rollout. SK Biopharmaceuticals signed cenobamate licensing agreement with Endo International.
• Ono PharmaceuticalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Entered into exclusive licensing agreement for Ono Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialize cenobamate in Japan. NDA submitted in Japan September 2025.
• Ignis TherapeuticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Licensing agreement with Ignis Therapeutics to develop and commercialize cenobamate, solriamfetol, and four other CNS-focused compounds in China.
• LifeSci Venture PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Signed agreement to collaborate on open innovation with global life science venture capital firm LifeSci Venture Partners, supporting investment and innovation activities.
• Roivant Sciences (ProteoVant)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018SK Biopharmaceuticals launched US joint venture ProteoVant (now SK Life Science Labs) with Switzerland-based Roivant Sciences. Led to acquisition of France-based Yposkesi, a CDMO for cell and gene therapies, and Center for Breakthrough Medicines investments.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• GSK: Global pharma major with established CNS portfolio including Lamictal (lamotrigine) for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Broader incumbent competitor with overlapping epilepsy and CNS assets.

Others

• Angelini Pharma: Italian pharma group and SK Biopharmaceuticals' European commercialization partner for cenobamate (marketed as ONTOZRY). Adjacent as both a commercial partner and a CNS player with overlapping products.

Direct peers

• Eisai: Eisai markets Fycompa (perampanel) for focal-onset and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, plus Banzel (rufinamide) for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome — directly overlapping with both SK Life Science's commercial franchise and pipeline targets.
• UCB: UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company with a leading epilepsy franchise (Vimpat/lacosamide, Keppra/levetiracetam, Briviact/brivaracetam) directly competing with XCOPRI in focal-onset seizures. Most direct comparable for SK Life Science's CNS specialty pharma business.
• Supernus Pharmaceuticals: Pure-play neurology company specializing in epilepsy and CNS disorders (Trokendi XR, Oxtellar XR, Apomorphine infusion). Comparable in scale and therapeutic focus to SK Life Science's commercial business.
• Lundbeck: Specialty CNS pharmaceutical company with epilepsy assets (Onfi/Sympazan) and broader CNS portfolio. Comparable to SK Life Science as a CNS-focused innovator with global commercialization.
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Jazz commercializes Epidiolex (cannabidiol) for seizure disorders associated with Dravet/Lennox-Gastaut/TSC, directly competing in the pediatric and rare epilepsy segments where SK Life Science's pipeline (LGS DISCOVER study) is positioned.
• Marinus Pharmaceuticals: Specialty pharma focused on seizure disorders with Ztalmy (ganaxolone) approved for CDKL5 deficiency disorder and in trials for refractory status epilepticus. Similar specialty epilepsy positioning to SK Life Science.

Emerging players

• Xenon Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS company with azetukalner (XEN1101) for focal-onset seizures in Phase 3. Direct emerging competitor to XCOPRI in the focal seizure segment.
• Praxis Precision Medicines: Clinical-stage CNS company developing therapies for epilepsy (PRAX-222 for SCN1A-related disorders, ulixacaltamide for essential tremor). Comparable as emerging epilepsy-focused player with pipeline overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SKLifeScience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SKLifeScienceInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61575083199590
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/16048449

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about SK Life Science