pharm edaily

[Yu Jin-hee, Edaily Reporter] South Korea-South Korean biotech companies Curatis and Zaigle surged to daily price limits on April 25, riding a global wave of enthusiasm in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device sector. In contrast, traditional drugmaker Dongsung Pharmaceutical faltered as investors shunned its uncertain prospects.

Curatis’s Recent Stock Price Flow. [Source=KG Zeroin’s MP Doctor]

Curatis soared 29.95%, closing at 4,225 won, while Zaigle jumped 30.00%, ending at 1,050 won, both placing in the top 10 gainers of the day. The gains largely reflected favorable external developments rather than internal performance.

Curatis benefitted from optimism surrounding the imminent commercialization of oral obesity treatments by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Novo Nordisk has begun the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process for an oral formulation (Rybelsus) of its injectable obesity drug Wegovy. Similarly, Eli Lilly recently announced successful Phase 3 clinical trial results for its oral obesity and diabetes treatment candidate, orforglipron.

Curatis, initially specialized in vaccine development and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, became linked to the obesity drug market only recently. In February, Inventage Lab, known for its microsphere sustained-release injections and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platforms, acquired management control of Curatis.

Through this partnership, Curatis now serves as the primary GMP manufacturer for Inventage Lab‘s products, including GLP-1-based obesity treatments similar to those from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The company plans to complete related manufacturing facilities later this year.

Curatis’s global-standard GMP facility in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, previously used to produce clinical mRNA vaccine samples, enhances its competitive edge. Incorporating Inventage Lab’s LNP platform into its existing mRNA capabilities is expected to strengthen Curatis’s position as a next-generation mRNA therapeutics CDMO.

“With Inventage Lab’s financial and technological backing, we can maximize our potential,” a Curatis spokesperson said. “We aim to rapidly grow into a globally competitive CDMO and meet market expectations.”

Zaigle’s Recent Stock Price Flow. [Source=KG Zeroin’s MP Doctor]

Zaigle, traditionally a wellness home appliance company, hit its daily ceiling due to unexpected positive developments in the global sodium-ion battery market. CATL, a major Chinese battery maker, announced plans to mass-produce its second-generation sodium-ion battery, Naxtra, later this year. Sodium-ion batteries are seen as a promising alternative to lithium-ion, offering improved resource stability and cost efficiency.

Zaigle entered the battery market in 2022 through its acquisition of CM Partner’s battery division and now develops sodium-ion batteries under its Zaigle Energy Solution unit. Established in 2008 and listed on KOSDAQ in 2016, Zaigle has diversified into healthcare and wellness appliances and is now expanding into medical devices and secondary batteries to secure future growth.

Conversely, Dongsung Pharmaceutical’s stock plummeted 12.17% to 3,500 won following news that its second-generation owner abruptly sold his 10.8% stake to digital marketing firm Brand Refactoring for 12 billion won. The transaction transferred control to Brand Refactoring, whose CEO, Baek, also leads Celestera (formerly Clinomics), a genomic cancer diagnostics company facing its own delisting concerns.

“The second-generation owner’s below-market price share sale and Celestera’s own market uncertainties created distrust,” an industry insider said. “There are no clear synergies, causing investors to turn away.”