What DONGKOOK Pharm does

Dongkook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (KOSDAQ: 001540) is a South Korea-based pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1968 that operates across five integrated business segments: OTC pharmaceuticals, derma-cosmetics, health functional foods, prescription injectables, and medical devices. Its core prescription pharmaceutical platform is built on proprietary drug delivery technologies including microsphere-based long-acting injectables, liposomal carriers, and prefilled syringe systems (Asia's first commercial PFS facility, commissioned in 1992), supported by EU GMP, EDQM, and KGMP-certified manufacturing across three plants in Jincheon-gun.

The company's commercial model is anchored by legacy OTC brands including Insadol (gum disease), Madecassol (wound healing), FeraminQ (menopause), Pansidil (hair loss), Cheesen (hemorrhoids), and Oramedy (oral ulcers), distributed through a nationwide pharmacy network, hospital medical representatives, and 200+ dedicated Pharmacy Beauty Solution zones. The derma-cosmetics brand Centellian24, featuring Centella asiatica-derived Madeca formulations, has surpassed 1 trillion KRW in cumulative sales with 91 million units of Madeca Cream sold, and is expanding globally through Ulta Beauty (US, 1,400 stores), Watsons (Thailand), Don Quijote/Loft/Matsumoto Kiyoshi (Japan, 1,000+ stores), TikTok Shop US, and Cosmoprof Bologna. Export revenue reached $40 million across 60+ countries, and the company is the top-ranked Korean pharmaceutical exporter by export proportion.

The R&D pipeline targets high-value chronic disease indications including diabetes, Alzheimer's, prostate and breast cancer (Lorelin Depot 3-month formulation Phase 3 completed February 2026; Goserelin Acetate Microsphere DKF301), and obesity (monthly injectable in Phase 1 via partnerships with G2GBio, TionLab Therapeutics, and Inventage Lab). The May 2024 Withnix acquisition added beauty device R&D and manufacturing capabilities, and the company holds patents for high-purity manufacturing methods for Montelukast, Octreotide, Bivalirudin, Voriconazole, and a gelatin-free GnRH agonist formulation patented in 10+ countries. Recent regulatory milestones include Swissmedic approval for Insadol (2026) and ISO 37001 anti-bribery certification.

Name

DONGKOOK Pharm

Legal name

동국제약 주식회사

Website

http://www.dkpharm.co.kr/

Company type

Public

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dongkook Pharmaceutical (KOSDAQ: 001540) is a South Korean pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1968, producing OTC drugs (Insadol, Madecassol, FeraminQ, Pansidil), derma-cosmetics (Centellian24), injectables, and medical devices. It serves Korean consumers via pharmacy networks and exports to 60+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small-Molecule CMC Documentation & Regulatory Support (DMF/CMC) (HLAGAHAM)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Prescription pharmaceuticals
• Derma cosmetics
• Drug delivery systems
• Health functional foods

Headquarters

HQ city

Kangnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Revenue from prescription and OTC pharmaceuticals including Insadol (gum treatment), Madecassol (wound treatment), FeraminQ (menopause treatment), Pansidil (hair loss), and specialty injectables. Products sold through pharmacies and hospitals.
2. Derma-cosmetics (Centellian24): Revenue from skincare and derma-cosmetics brand Centellian24, including Madeca Cream and various PDRN/PN-based aesthetic products. The brand has surpassed 1 trillion won in annual revenue and is expanding globally.
3. Health Functional Foods: Revenue from health supplements including MyFit brand, DK Health Store popup operations, and various functional food products.
4. API and Contract Manufacturing: Revenue from active pharmaceutical ingredients export and CMO services for international pharmaceutical companies, including Japanese customers for lyophilized injectables.
5. Medical Devices: Revenue from medical devices including hyaluronic acid fillers (Bellast), prefilled syringes, and beauty devices following the Withnix acquisition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DONGKOOK Pharmaceutical develops, manufactures, and sells prescription and OTC pharmaceuticals, derma-cosmetics (Centellian24), health functional foods, medical devices, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company applies proprietary drug delivery technologies including microsphere long-acting injectables, liposomal formulations, and prefilled syringe systems across a portfolio spanning gum treatment, wound healing, menopause, hair loss, and specialty injectables. It also provides contract manufacturing and API export to international pharmaceutical companies across 60+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centellian24 (센텔리안24): Derma-cosmetics brand featuring Madeca formulas for skin care products.
• Insadol (인사돌)
• Insadol Plus (인사돌플러스)
• Madecassol (마데카솔)
• Madeca21 (마데카21)
• FeraminQ (훼라민Q)
• Pansidil (판시딜)
• Cheesen (치센)
• myfit (마이핏)
• Bellast (벨라스트)
• Sencia (센시아)
• Oramedy (오라메디)

Quantifiable outcome

• 91 million units cumulative sales of Madeca Cream
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• G2GBio, TionLab Therapeutics, Inventage LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with local biotech firms for development of monthly obesity injections. Target of Phase 1 studies for three formulations in obesity treatment market projected to reach $150 billion by 2035.
• WithnixcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 May 2024Acquisition completed May 2024. Withnix develops and manufactures small and medium-sized home appliances including beauty devices. This acquisition enhances Dongkook's R&D and production capabilities in the beauty device sector.
• Hanil Electric Co.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MOU for joint development of beauty and wellness products, part of Kyungdong Pharm's diversification strategy. While primarily referencing Kyungdong, Dongkook is cited as an early success case for pharmaceutical-cosmetics convergence.
• Green Ribbon Children FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 2018Social contribution partnership for 'Child Health' program supporting underprivileged children. Partnership includes nutritional support and psychological counseling for foster children and youth through regular donations.
• 3McoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2012Exclusive distribution agreement for Minocline dental ointment. 3M Medical Division distributes the periodontal disease treatment product exclusively to dental hospitals and clinics in Korea, while Dongkook supplies pharmaceutical products through pharmacy channels.
• Korea Childhood Leukemia FoundationminorOthers · 19 January 2012CSR partnership including annual 'Love Story in December' year-end concert, spring outings for pediatric cancer patients, and blood donation drive. Dongkook has partnered since 2010 with ongoing support activities.
• LG Life SciencescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 April 2011Strategic sales partnership for Lorelin Depot injection in pediatric endocrinology. LG Life Sciences distributes the product for central precocious puberty indication while Dongkook maintains urology and gynecology sales. Partnership leverages LG's established pediatric network while Dongkook focuses on clinical data-driven marketing.
• C-Tree (씨트리)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2010Product development partnership for Bivalirudin (Angiomax) injectable with 2.1 billion won government funding. C-Tree provides R&D funding through Gyeonggi Economic Region leading industry project while Dongkook handles manufacturing and joint sales.
• Korea National Park ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2009Long-term partnership for hiking safety campaigns and first aid supplies. Dongkook supplies Madecassol and first aid products to 600+ first aid stations across 22 national parks since 2009. Joint annual spring and fall safety campaigns at major hiking trails.
• Korean Academy of PeriodontologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2009Annual 'Gum Day' campaign partnership since 2009. Joint organization of awareness events, free dental examinations, and educational programs. Dongkook sponsors the campaign with Insadol brand, reaching millions of Korean consumers.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Amorepacific: Korea's largest cosmetics conglomerate and a major K-beauty exporter. Competes with Centellian24 across derma-cosmetics channels but operates a much broader portfolio and significantly larger marketing budget.
• Kolmar Korea: Leading Korean cosmetics ODM/contract manufacturer with global brand relationships. Comparable as a Korean beauty industry peer that competes for the same derma-cosmetics customers and export distribution partnerships, though via an OEM/ODM model.
• LG H&H: Korean consumer healthcare and cosmetics giant spanning household, personal care, beauty and pharmaceuticals. Overlaps with Dongkook in derma-cosmetics and pharmacy-channel OTC but on a much larger scale and broader category set.

Direct peers

• Hugel: Korean aesthetics pure-play with botox, fillers and regenerative products. Directly comparable to Dongkook's Bellast filler and derma-cosmetics franchise, sharing the same dermatology and medical aesthetics customer base.
• Yuhan Corporation: Largest Korean pharmaceutical manufacturer by revenue with a comparable business model combining branded OTC, prescription drugs, and consumer health. Operates parallel R&D, manufacturing, and pharmacy distribution infrastructure to Dongkook.
• Huons Global: Korean pharmaceutical and aesthetics company with Hutox botox and a portfolio spanning injectables, OTC and derma-cosmetics. Most direct Korean competitor to Dongkook's combined aesthetics + pharmaceutical strategy.
• Daewoong Pharmaceutical: Major Korean pharmaceutical company with a comparable portfolio spanning OTC, prescription drugs, and aesthetics (Nabota botox). Closely mirrors Dongkook's diversified model across pharmaceutical, derma-cosmetics and hospital sales channels in Korea.
• Green Cross: Korean pharmaceutical company with biologics, vaccines, OTC and consumer health offerings. Comparable in combining branded consumer pharma with hospital-channel prescription drugs and pursuing export expansion.
• Hanmi Pharmaceutical: Korean pharmaceutical company specializing in proprietary drug delivery platforms and peptide-based therapeutics. Overlaps with Dongkook's microsphere, liposome and prefilled syringe technology positioning and competes for the same specialty pharma partnerships.
• Dong-A ST: One of Korea's leading pharmaceutical companies with a similar mix of consumer OTC brands (e.g. Bacchus) and prescription pharmaceuticals. Operates the same pharmacy, hospital and export channels as Dongkook and competes directly in domestic consumer health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3JMzIAhPNmbCQFyfalZstg
• Instagraminstagram.com/dongkook_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dongkook-pharmaceutical-co-ltd

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&A1 record

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about DONGKOOK Pharm