What Peptron does

Peptron (펩트론) is a South Korean peptide-based biotechnology company founded in 1997 and listed on KOSDAQ under ticker 087010 since 2015, headquartered in Daejeon's Yuseong-gu district with a GMP manufacturing facility at Osong Bio Park. The company's core technology is SmartDepot™ — a proprietary sustained-release drug delivery platform based on biodegradable polymer microspheres manufactured via an ultrasonic spray-drying process (distinct from conventional emulsion-based methods). This platform enables peptide APIs (GLP-1 analogues, somatostatin analogues, leuprolide, exenatide) to be released over one week to one month from a single subcutaneous injection. The IP perimeter spans 27+ Korean patents and 34+ international patents across 17 countries, with protection extending through 2028, and includes an exclusive worldwide license from the U.S. NIH/NIA for SR-exenatide in neurodegenerative disease applications.

Peptron operates a dual business model. The first stream is custom peptide synthesis services: research-grade and GMP-grade peptides manufactured under an ISO9001-certified quality management system and sold directly to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research customers via [email protected]. The second stream is proprietary drug development using SmartDepot™ — a clinical and preclinical pipeline spanning PT302 (SR-Exenatide for Type 2 diabetes, Phase 2 completed), PT320 (SR-Exenatide for Parkinson's disease, Phase 2 completed via NIH collaboration), PT403 (once-monthly SR-Semaglutide for diabetes/obesity), PT404 (once-monthly SR-Tirzepatide), PT105 (SR-Leuprolide for prostate cancer, MFDS IND approved), SR-Octreotide (acromegaly), and PAb001-ADC (MUC1-targeting ADC for solid tumors, exclusively licensed to Qilu Pharmaceutical in China). Peptron also commercializes Loopone® injection (leuprolide acetate 3.75mg) domestically in South Korea for prostate cancer and precocious puberty.

Revenue mechanics combine small recurring revenue from custom peptide synthesis and domestic Loopone® sales, upfront payments and milestones from out-licensing (Qilu: $3M upfront plus up to $1.618M milestones under a ~$540M total deal value), and longer-term royalty and supply contract economics (Invex: minimum KRW 500 billion exclusive supply contract for PT320). The customer base for pipeline assets is concentrated on a small number of global pharmaceutical partners (Yuhan Corporation for co-development, Qilu and Invex for licensing/distribution), while peptide synthesis services address a fragmented academic and industrial research market.

Name

Peptron

Legal name

주식회사 펩트론

Website

https://peptron.co.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Peptron is a Korean biotech developing sustained-release peptide drugs via its SmartDepot™ polymer-microsphere platform. It earns revenue from custom peptide synthesis services, domestic Loopone® sales, and pipeline licensing deals with partners including Qilu Pharmaceutical, Invex, and Yuhan Corporation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics (HLAAAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE), Endocrinology & Reproductive Health Pharmaceuticals (incl. Women’s Health) (HLAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Sustained-release peptide drugs
• Custom peptide synthesis
• Biodegradable microsphere drug delivery
• GLP-1 sustained-release formulations
• Long-acting injectable peptides

Headquarters

HQ city

Yusong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Proprietary Drug Development & Commercialization: Peptron develops proprietary sustained-release peptide drugs through clinical phases and commercializes them or out-licenses rights. Revenue is generated through product sales upon approval or milestone/royalty payments from licensing agreements.
2. Custom Peptide Synthesis Services (B2B): Peptron manufactures and sells research-grade and GMP-grade custom peptides to pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic laboratories. ISO9001-certified quality management system. Contact: [email protected].
3. Technology Licensing & Out-licensing: Peptron licenses its technology platform and pipeline assets to global pharmaceutical partners. Notable deals include PAb001-ADC to Qilu Pharmaceutical (~$540M total deal value) and exclusive NIH licenses for neurodegenerative applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Peptron is a peptide-based pharmaceutical company developing sustained-release drug formulations using its proprietary SmartDepot™ technology platform, which uses biodegradable polymer microspheres to enable extended peptide drug release from 1 week to 1 month per single subcutaneous injection. The company operates a dual business combining ISO9001-certified custom peptide synthesis services for B2B research customers with proprietary drug pipeline development (PT302, PT320, PT403, PT404, PT105, SR-Octreotide) targeting diabetes, obesity, Parkinson's disease, acromegaly, and prostate cancer. Commercial revenue today is generated from Loopone® (leuprolide) sales, custom peptide synthesis service fees, and licensing/royalty income from technology out-licensing deals (e.g., Qilu, Invex).

Product overview

Peptron is a peptide-based pharmaceutical company developing sustained-release drug formulations using its proprietary SmartDepot™ technology platform. The company operates a dual business model combining custom peptide synthesis services (ISO9001 certified) with an internal drug pipeline targeting diabetes, obesity, Parkinson's disease, acromegaly, and prostate cancer. The product portfolio includes commercial products (Loopone® injection), clinical-stage drug candidates (PT302, PT320, PT403, PT404, PT105, SR-Octreotide), and research-grade peptide synthesis services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Loopone® Injection 3.75mg (루프원®주3.75mg) A GnRH agonist injection containing leuprolide acetate 3.75mg approved for the treatment of precocious puberty and prostate cancer, distributed through domestic Korean pharmaceutical channels with pharmacovigilance reporting maintained.
• PT302 (SR-Exenatide) A 2-week sustained-release exenatide formulation for Type 2 diabetes treatment, developed using SmartDepot™ technology, targeting once every two weeks subcutaneous dosing instead of twice-daily standard exenatide. Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials completed in Korea. Co-developed with Yuhan Corporation.
• PT320 (SR-Exenatide for Parkinson's Disease) A 2-week sustained-release exenatide formulation leveraging GLP-1 receptor agonist mechanism for neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects in Parkinson's disease. Developed under exclusive worldwide NIH/NIA license. Phase 2 clinical trial completed with significant HbA1c reduction. Subject of the Invex MOU (minimum KRW 500B exclusive supply).
• PT403 (SR-Semaglutide) A once-monthly sustained-release semaglutide formulation for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, developed using SmartDepot™ technology to extend dosing beyond existing weekly injectable semaglutide regimens.
• PT404 (SR-Tirzepatide) A once-monthly sustained-release tirzepatide formulation for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, leveraging SmartDepot™ dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist technology for once-monthly dosing.
• PT105 (SR-Leuprolide) A 1-month sustained-release leuprolide formulation aimed at prostate cancer and precocious puberty treatment, using 26-gauge needle delivery to reduce injection pain vs. conventional thick needles. Received Korean MFDS IND approval March 2021. Targets bioequivalence with Takeda's Lupron (USD 9B global sales).
• SR-Octreotide (Acromegaly Treatment) A 1-month sustained-release somatostatin derivative formulation for acromegaly treatment, based on the SmartDepot™ technology platform. Target reference product is Novartis's Sandostatin LAR (global sales ~USD 1.6B in 2017).
• Custom Peptide Synthesis Services Custom peptide synthesis services for research and commercial applications, conducted under ISO9001 certified quality management system, including peptide synthesis, purification, and analysis for global pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic laboratories.
• SmartDepot™ Technology Platform (Out-licensing) Proprietary sustained-release drug delivery technology platform using biodegradable polymer microspheres for peptide drugs, licensed to global partners for use with proprietary peptide APIs. Enabled landmark deals: PAb001-ADC to Qilu Pharmaceutical (~$540M total deal value) and exclusive NIH licenses for neurodegenerative applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• PAb001-ADC technology transfer deal valued at approximately KRW 6,400 billion (~$540M) with Qilu Pharmaceutical
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core, major and strategic.

• 치루제약 (ChiruPharm)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023ChiruPharm completed technology verification for PAb001-ADC, confirming successful technology transfer for antibody-drug conjugate production.
• Invex (인벡스)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022MOU signed for clinical development of PT320 (SR-Exenatide for Parkinson's disease) and IIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension) / neurological indications. Invex leads the FDA IND process and Peptron supplies the drug product. Minimum contract value of KRW 500 billion for exclusive supply.
• Qilu Pharmaceutical (齐鲁制药)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Exclusive licensing agreement for PAb001 (MUC1-targeting antibody) and ADC candidates. Deal value approximately KRW 6,400 billion (~$540M), including USD 3M upfront payment, USD 1.618M milestones, and tiered royalties. Qilu completed successful technology verification and scale-up for antibody and ADC manufacturing. Developing indications: breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer.
• 삼성바이오로직스 (Samsung Biologics)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Samsung Biologics contracted for antibody production (PAb001) during Peptron's R&D phase. Qilu subsequently verified successful technology transfer and achieved equivalent yield and quality in their own manufacturing facilities.
• Unnamed Domestic Korean Partner — PT105 DistributionmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2020Priority negotiating partner selected for domestic Korean distribution rights to PT105 (SR-Leuprolide) for prostate cancer. Korean domestic market for reference product (Luphere) is approximately KRW 530 billion (~USD 450M). Deal discussions ongoing with the objective of first generic/competitive product launch.
• Swiss DibaPharmstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019Swiss biotech company Dibapharm selected for next-generation ADC joint research collaboration, announced June 2026 in news section.
• 인벡스 (Invex) — Additional IndicationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018Invex-led FDA IND for SR-exenatide (PT320) in neurological indications; Peptron serves as drug product supplier. Development focused on Parkinson's disease and expanded indications including IIH.
• Unnamed Major Global Pharma Company (diabetes/obesity GLP-1)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2016Technology evaluation agreement signed with a major global pharmaceutical company for applying Peptron's SmartDepot technology to a proprietary novel GLP-1 peptide for next-generation diabetes and obesity treatment. Assessment of SR-formulation feasibility underway.
• Massachusetts University / U.S. FDAstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Peptron selected as sole Korean company in a U.S. FDA joint research project with Massachusetts University System (led by Prof. Sungyu Yoon) and FDA scientists to establish regulatory standards for sustained-release generic injectables. Collaborating with AstraZeneca, Alkermes, and Janssen.
• NIH / National Institute on Aging (NIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2014CRADA (Cooperative Research And Development Agreement) signed in 2014 between Peptron and NIH/NIA for joint research on SR-exenatide for neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, TBI). NIH Greig lab demonstrated neuroprotective effects of exenatide. Peptron holds exclusive worldwide license for SR-exenatide in neurodegenerative applications. Collaboration includes派遣 of PhD-level researchers and joint development with NIA scientists.
• 유한양행 (Yuhan Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Co-development of PT302 (SR-Exenatide) for type 2 diabetes, with Phase 2 clinical trial completed at 15 Korean clinical sites. Yuhan provided clinical development support and local market access expertise.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alkermes: Specialty pharma built around proprietary long-acting injectable (LAI) microsphere drug delivery technology, including Vivitrol and partnered programs across CNS and endocrine indications. Most directly comparable to Peptron on the SmartDepot™ biodegradable-polymer sustained-release platform; Peptron was also selected alongside Alkermes in the FDA/Massachusetts University regulatory standards project.
• Ipsen: Global specialty pharma with a peptide and sustained-release franchise (Somatuline Autogel/Dysport) and a track record of peptide-based development for endocrine and oncology indications. Comparable to Peptron's peptide SR pipeline targeting acromegaly (SR-Octreotide), prostate cancer (PT105), and endocrine pathways.
• Hanmi Pharmaceutical: Korean innovator pharma operating the Hanmi Pharmaceutical R&D platform with multiple long-acting peptide and GLP-1 programs (e.g., efpegerglucagon, HM15136) for diabetes, obesity, and rare endocrine disorders. Closest Korean-market comparator to Peptron's SmartDepot-applied PT403/PT404 semaglutide and tirzepatide franchise.
• Daewoong Pharmaceutical: Korean pharmaceutical company developing sustained-release peptide injectables, GLP-1 receptor agonist formulations (e.g., DWP710001) and biosimilar peptide products. Comparable to Peptron on Korean-domestic peptide SR development for diabetes, obesity, and oncology indications.

Regional players

• Celltrion: Major Korean biosimilar and biopharmaceutical developer with peptide/biologic manufacturing scale at its Songdo and broader facilities. Less direct overlap on sustained-release platform technology but a relevant Korean biotech peer for capital-markets valuation, CDMO capability, and global out-licensing playbook.
• Samsung Biologics: Korean-based CDMO with large-scale mammalian biologics manufacturing; contracted by Peptron to produce the PAb001 antibody in support of the Qilu ADC program. Comparable as a Korean biologics manufacturing peer and a benchmark for cGMP capacity scale.

Broad incumbents

• Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Established Japanese pharma with leadership in long-acting injectable microsphere technology (Aripiprazole Lauroxil/Abilify Maintena) and broad CNS pipeline. A relevant large-cap analog to Peptron on sustained-release injectable platforms and Parkinson's/schizophrenia commercial channels.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical: Global pharma marketing Lupron Depot (leuprolide) — the reference product Peptron's PT105 SR-Leuprolide is positioning against — as well as the broader endocrine and oncology portfolio. Compares as both a revenue-benchmark target and a potential competitive threat for Peptron's generic/biosimilar peptide pipeline.
• Novo Nordisk: Global leader in GLP-1 therapy (semaglutide/Ozempic/Wegovy) and a named counterparty evaluated in Peptron's unnamed 2016 major-pharma technology-evaluation track. Defines the competitive context PT403 (SR-semaglutide) and PT404 (SR-tirzepatide) must navigate.

Emerging players

• PolyPeptide Group: Public specialty CDMO focused exclusively on custom peptide synthesis and peptide API manufacturing for pharma and biotech customers. Direct competitor to Peptron's custom peptide synthesis services line of business on global B2B customer overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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 Peptron