Chemport

What Chemport does

Chemport Inc. (주식회사 켐포트), founded in 2001 in Naju, South Korea, is a privately-held specialty manufacturer focused on high-purity fish-oil-derived Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Omega-3 dietary supplements marketed under the Megapex trademark. The company was founded by Omega-3 and lipid chemistry researchers from the DaeDeok Life Sciences Research Institute of GoHab Group and operates three business lines: (1) pharmaceutical-grade APIs including Icosapent Ethyl (EPA 960mg/g), Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, Omega-3 Carboxylic Acids, DHA 95%, and injectable-grade Fish Oil, used in cardiovascular drugs such as Amarin's Vascepa/Vazkepa and other Lovaza/Omacor-class products; (2) Omega-3 dietary supplement ingredients offered as EPA-rich (up to 97%), DHA-rich (up to 94%), and combined EPA&DHA formulations in ethyl ester (EE), triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) forms; and (3) a domestic-only biotechnology line producing useful microorganism culture media (PhotoGro, YeastGro, LactoGro, ChloroGro, MultiGro, NattoGro, PhotoGold), livestock and aquaculture probiotics, and wastewater treatment agents.

Chemport's underlying technology rests on natural product chemistry purification (recrystallization, distillation, HPLC) combined with proprietary microorganism fermentation and cultivation capabilities. Manufacturing occurs across four facilities in Naju, including a pharmaceutical GMP-certified facility completed in 2021. The company has accumulated API registrations across seven major regulatory regimes — US FDA (2013), EU EDQM (2015/2017), Japan PMDA (2017), UAE FDA (2018), Australia TGA (2019), Health Canada (2020), and China NMPA (2025) — alongside quality systems certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, EU HACCP) and sustainability credentials (IFOS 2023, FOS 2024, GOED 2023). These multi-jurisdictional approvals constitute the principal barrier to entry for any new entrant targeting the same cardiovascular omega-3 API molecules.

The business model is B2B contract-based. Pharmaceutical APIs and Omega-3 ingredients are sold via direct sales through a Seoul office to global pharmaceutical manufacturers and dietary supplement producers, with named anchor customers including Amarin and BASF. The biotechnology line is distributed domestically through South Korea's government procurement platform (나라장터 종합쇼핑몰) to farms, aquaculture operators, and government agencies. Pricing is contract-based and not publicly disclosed. The company achieved $5 million in export milestones by 2007 and $10 million by 2014, received Export Tower awards from the Korea Trade Association, and has been designated a Korean Hidden Champion and Global Strong Company by the SME Ministry.

Name

Chemport

Legal name

Chemport Inc.

Website

https://megapex.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Chemport is a privately-held South Korean manufacturer of high-purity fish-oil pharmaceutical APIs (including Icosapent Ethyl for cardiovascular drugs) and Omega-3 supplement ingredients under the Megapex brand, supplying global pharma, dietary supplement makers, and a domestic microorganism product line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical API Manufacturing

NAICS

Starch and Vegetable Fats and Oils Manufacturing (31122), Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225)

SIC

Fats & Oils (2070)

akta.pro primary industry

Omega-3 & Specialty Lipids (Fish/Algal Oils, EPA/DHA, MCTs, CLA, Phospholipids) (AFAJAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Omega-3 & Marine/Algal Lipids (EPA/DHA Oils, Concentrates) (AFAJALAK), Fats, Oils & Lipid Ingredients (Specialty Oils, MCTs, Structured Lipids) (CRADAOAL), Nutraceuticals & Functional Ingredients for Animal Diets (Probiotics, Omega-3, Joint, GI) (HLAMAHAH)

Keywords

• Fish oil API
• Omega-3 ingredients
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• EPA DHA concentrates
• Beneficial microorganisms

Headquarters

HQ city

Dongan

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API): Manufacturing and selling fish oil-based APIs including Icosapent Ethyl, Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, and Fish Oil for cardiovascular disease treatments. Approved by US FDA, EU EDQM, Japan PMDA, Health Canada, Australia TGA, UAE MOHAP, and Korean KGMP.
2. Omega-3 Dietary Supplements: High-purity omega-3 EPA/DHA products under Megapex brand for dietary supplement manufacturers, available in various purity levels (70-97% EPA, 70-94% DHA)
3. Beneficial Microorganism Products: Useful microorganism培养基 and bacterial strains for agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, and wastewater treatment. Includes phototrophic bacteria, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and Chlorella cultivation media.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Chemport manufactures high-purity fish oil-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) including Icosapent Ethyl, Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, Omega-3 Carboxylic Acids, DHA 95%, and injectable-grade fish oil for cardiovascular disease treatments, approved by US FDA, EU EDQM, Japan PMDA, Health Canada, Australia TGA, UAE MOHAP, and Korean KGMP. The company also sells high-purity Omega-3 dietary supplement ingredients under the Megapex brand (EPA up to 97%, DHA up to 94%) and cultivates beneficial microorganisms for agricultural, livestock, aquaculture, and wastewater treatment applications in the domestic Korean market.

Product overview

Chemport is a pioneering Omega-3 manufacturer specializing in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Omega-3 supplements. The company operates three core product divisions: (1) Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients including Icosapent Ethyl, Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, DHA 95%, and Fish Oil for oral and injectable applications, all approved by major regulatory agencies (US FDA, EU EDQM, Japan PMDA, Health Canada, Australia TGA, UAE FDA, Korean FDA); (2) Megapex™ branded Omega-3 dietary supplements available in EPA-rich, DHA-rich, and balanced EPA&DHA formulations with purities up to 97% EPA and 95% DHA in ethyl ester (EE), triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) forms; and (3) Biotechnology products including useful microorganism culture media (PhotoGro, YeastGro, LactoGro, ChloroGro, MultiGro), livestock/aquaculture probiotics, and wastewater treatment agents for domestic Korean market. The company is headquartered in Naju with sales operations in Seoul.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Icosapent Ethyl (EPA-E) API Oral Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient for cardiovascular disease treatment; EPA-based API with 960mg/g concentration, approved by US FDA, EU, Japan, Canada, UAE, Australia, and Korea. Used in drugs such as VASCEPA, VAZKEPA, and Epadel.
• Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters (Omega-3 90) API Oral API containing 90% omega-3 fatty acids in ethyl ester form, approved by EU EDQM and Korean FDA. Used in drugs such as Lovaza and Omacor.
• Omega-3 Carboxylic Acids API Oral API in carboxylic acid form for omega-3 pharmaceutical applications.
• DHA 95% API High-purity DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) API with 95% purity concentration for pharmaceutical applications.
• Fish Oil Rich in Omega-3-Acids (Injectable) API Injectable-grade fish oil API rich in omega-3 fatty acids, approved for use in injectable pharmaceutical formulations.
• Megapex EPA-Rich Omega-3 Series
• Megapex DHA-Rich Omega-3 Series
• Megapex EPA&DHA-Rich Omega-3 Series
• Useful Microorganism Culture Media
• Livestock and Aquaculture Probiotics
• Wastewater Treatment Agents

Quantifiable outcome

• EPA purity up to 98%, DHA up to 95% in EE/TG/FFA forms
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (국립농업과학원)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Multiple government patent technology transfers for beneficial microorganism products including Bacillus subtilis FWC-1 for odor reduction, Barrio-gro and BV-gro antagonistic microorganisms for agricultural applications.
• Jeonnam Agricultural Technology Institute (전남농업기술원)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Technology transfer partnership for Oda-down odor reduction microorganism product development and commercialization.
• Korea National Narcotics AgencyminorOthers · 1 January 2025Regulatory approval obtained for cardiovascular disease API business from China NMPA (National Medical Products Administration).
• JW Holdings (JW홀딩스)minorOthers · 1 January 2018Received Excellence Award at JW Holdings Partners Day for shared growth management partnership.
• BASFcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2013API supply partnership as approved supplier alongside Amarin for Icosapent Ethyl used in cardiovascular omega-3 drug formulations.
• GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3)minorOthers · 1 January 2013GOED Membership Certificate holder since 2023. Industry organization for EPA and DHA omega-3 global standards.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Croda International: UK-listed specialty chemicals company with significant life sciences and nutrition ingredient businesses. Comparable to Chemport as a broad incumbent supplying high-purity lipid and omega-3 ingredients into pharmaceutical and consumer health markets.

Direct peers

• Golden Omega: Chilean omega-3 concentrate manufacturer producing high-purity EPA/DHA ingredients. Comparable as a specialty omega-3 ingredient producer targeting nutraceutical and pharmaceutical customers globally.
• Aker BioMarine: Norwegian krill and marine-derived omega-3 ingredient supplier. Directly comparable to Chemport in the high-purity marine omega-3 ingredient space with sustainability certifications (similar to Chemport's FOS/IFOS positioning).
• Polaris (AAK): French omega-3 specialty lipid manufacturer (now part of AAK). Directly comparable as a high-purity omega-3 API producer serving pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers with multi-regulatory approvals.
• KD Pharma Group (dsm-firmenich): One of the world's largest omega-3 API and specialty lipid manufacturers (now part of dsm-firmenich). Directly comparable to Chemport in producing Icosapent Ethyl and Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters APIs for cardiovascular drug customers at pharma-grade purity.
• GC Rieber Oils: Norwegian fish oil refiner and omega-3 concentrate producer. Directly comparable to Chemport in producing high-purity EPA/DHA concentrates for supplement and pharma applications.
• Solutex: Spanish omega-3 ingredient manufacturer specializing in high-concentration EPA/DHA products. Directly comparable to Chemport's Megapex product range in the high-purity supplement ingredient category.

Regional players

• Luhua Biomarine: Chinese marine-derived omega-3 ingredient producer. Comparable to Chemport in fish oil-based EPA/DHA concentrate manufacturing but primarily serves the Chinese domestic market, creating a regional parallel rather than direct head-to-head competition.

Broad incumbents

• Novozymes (Novonesis): Global leader in industrial enzymes and microorganisms. Comparable to Chemport's biotech division (useful microorganisms for agriculture, livestock, aquaculture), though Novozymes operates at vastly greater scale across many applications beyond Chemport's domestic Korean focus.
• BASF: Diversified global chemical and nutrition giant that both supplies omega-3 APIs (and is itself a Chemport customer). Comparable as a broad incumbent in omega-3 ingredients and pharma excipients, but operates across many other chemical categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance33 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Chemport