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[Song Young doo, Edaily Reporter] Shares of pharmaceutical and biotech companies categorized as COVID-themed stocks, along with those in the obesity drug sector, posted strong gains. WOOJUNG BIO saw the highest share price increase among biopharma firms after the government announced a rise in domestic COVID-19 cases. Investor sentiment toward obesity drug-related companies also picked up following bullish securities industry analyses highlighting growth prospects for the sector and its players.

(Source : KG Zeroin MP Doctor)

According to KG Zeroin MP Doctor(formerly Market Point) on the 13th, WOOJUNG BIO closed at 1,882 won, up 16.68% from the previous day’s 1,613 won. Rather than company-specific news, the rally is seen as being driven by expectations for increased sales from installing negative-pressure hospital rooms and sterilization services amid rising COVID-19 patient numbers.

On the same day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported the country’s COVID-19 response status. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at hospital-level medical institutions has risen for five consecutive weeks: from 63 in the week of June 22~28, to 101, 103, 123, 139, and most recently 220 in the week of July 27~August 2.

Although far below the 864 hospitalized patients in the same period last year, the figure has more than doubled in the past month. The virus detection rate has also increased for four straight weeks, and viral load continues to trend upward. Overseas, countries such as the U.S. and Japan are likewise reporting five consecutive weeks of rising COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Against this backdrop, COVID-related sectors and companies are regaining attention. WOOJUNG BIO, which supplied negative-pressure hospital rooms during the pandemic, is now drawing interest with its hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization service.

A WOOJUNG BIO official said, “We provide sterilization services for all hospitals and clinics in Korea. Sterilization is necessary for wards treating infectious patients, and we use hydrogen peroxide vapor for this service. It can kill 99.9% of germs without leaving residues.”

While hydrogen peroxide sterilization is costly, hospitals have little choice but to use it amid the current spread. “We have been in this service the longest, developed our own sterilization equipment, and secured related patents, which gives us an advantage,” the official added.

Securities Analysts Highlight Obesity Drug Potential; Peptron, Inventage Lab Rally

Obesity drug sector stocks also surged. Peptron closed at 349,000 won, up 14.42%(43,500 won) from the previous session. Inventage Lab gained 13.21%(4,050 won) to 34,700 won, and D&D Pharmatech rose 6.77%(9,000 won) to 142,000 won.

The sector rally was fueled by securities market commentary. On July 13, Hana Securities researcher Kim Sun-a appeared on YouTube channel 3PROTV, saying the U.S. obesity drug market is entering a growth phase and citing potential for domestic and overseas firms. Kim specifically mentioned D&D Pharmatech and Peptron, noting, “Tirzepatide(Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro) is a once-weekly injection, but Peptron is developing technology for once-monthly dosing. It is in co-development with a global partner, and once a final contract is signed, milestone payments, large-scale production, and royalty revenue will follow.”

Kim also stated in a July 7 report that amid intensifying competition in obesity drugs, long-acting injectables are emerging as a key alternative, naming Peptron, Inventage Lab, and G2GBIO as notable stocks.

A Peptron official commented, “Today’s share price rise is due less to company-specific news and more to renewed market attention on obesity drugs and long-acting formulation technology.”

Bluemtec Signs Exclusive Distribution Deal for Novartis Drug

Bluemtec also saw strong gains, rising 12.94%(700 won) to 6,110 won the first time it has topped the 6,000-won mark since closing at 6,240 won on May 28.

On August 13, Bluemtec announced it had signed an exclusive domestic distribution and marketing agreement with Novartis Korea for the dyslipidemia treatment Leqvio. Under the deal, Bluemtec will handle all commercial activities in the domestic clinic channel advertising, distribution, and sales management via its online prescription drug platform, BluePharm Korea.

BluePharm Korea is the country’s largest online prescription drug platform, with over 35,000 clinic members. Beyond simple ordering, it offers targeted advertising for physicians, AI-driven recommendations, and digital medical content. The platform will support Leqvio’s rapid market penetration by leveraging real-world treatment patterns in internal medicine and family medicine clinics, which see many dyslipidemia patients.

Leqvio, a PCSK9-targeting siRNA therapy, was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2021 and has rapidly expanded its market presence. Administered twice a year, it reduces LDL cholesterol by over 50%. Global sales in 2024 reached USD 2.75 billion(KRW 3.8 trillion).

A Bluemtec official said, “Leqvio offers not only proven clinical efficacy but also a formulation structure ideal for use in primary care settings. Through BluePharm Korea’s integrated physician-focused distribution and marketing, we aim to transform prescribing practices and set a new standard in the medical field.”