Dong-A ST, Q2 Sales Increase by 12.5% as R&D Results Materialize

[Financial News] Dong-A ST continues its sales growth in the second quarter, accelerating the materialization of research and development (R&D) results. The growth in the prescription drug (ETC) sector and overseas business sector was notable, but the operating profit slightly decreased due to rising cost rates.
Dong-A ST announced on the 24th that its consolidated sales recorded 177.4 billion won, a 12.5% increase compared to the same period last year. During the same period, operating profit was 4 billion won, a 43.4% decrease from the previous year.
The increase in sales was led by the prescription drug sector, which recorded sales of 129 billion won, a 19.5% increase compared to the previous year. The overseas business sector also recorded sales of 39.7 billion won, a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year.
In particular, the growth hormone product 'Grotropin' recorded sales of 32.9 billion won, a 16.3% increase compared to the previous year. The gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment 'Zacubo' also recorded new sales of 11 billion won.
Overseas, Darbepoetin Alfa BS recorded sales of 6.4 billion won, an increase of over 70% compared to the previous year.
The autoimmune treatment Stelara biosimilar 'Imuldosa' was launched in 13 countries including Germany, and also obtained product approval in the MENA region (Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc.). The U.S. launch schedule has been postponed to the third and fourth quarters due to local packaging delays.
In the R&D sector, the progress of the new drug pipeline is notable. The metabolic disorder-related nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (MASH) and type 2 diabetes treatment 'DA-1241', being developed through the U.S. subsidiary Metavia, completed global phase 2a clinical trials.
The substance showed synergy in improving liver fibrosis when combined with semaglutide, and confirmed both efficacy and safety in indicators such as ALT, CAP, FAST, and HbA1C.
The obesity treatment 'DA-1726' also demonstrated safety and weight loss effects through global phase 1a and part 2 trials, and additional trials for maximum tolerated dose exploration are underway from July. Topline data is expected to be announced in the fourth quarter.
In addition, various modality-based new drug pipelines are progressing, including △ Alzheimer's disease treatment 'DA-7503' (domestic phase 1 trial ongoing) △ Immuno-oncology drug 'DA-4505' (domestic phase 1 trial ongoing) △ Claudin 18.2 targeted ADC candidate 'DA-3501'.
In particular, DA-4505 is attracting attention for showing tumor suppression synergy in combination with global immuno-oncology drugs.
Meanwhile, Dong-A ST acquired 'Aptis', a linker technology specialist, to expand the next-generation ADC platform. Aptis's 'ApClick' technology is expected to be used in the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) targeting gastric and pancreatic cancer, contributing to the expansion of the global new drug pipeline.
A Dong-A ST representative stated, "Stable growth in prescription drugs and overseas business continues, and clinical trials of global new drug candidates in the R&D pipeline are proceeding smoothly," adding, "We will continue to enhance corporate value through continuous performance creation in the second half of the year."

vrdw88@fnnews.com Kang Jung-mo Reporter