Duchembio Accounts for 96.3% of Domestic Production of Radiopharmaceuticals for Alzheimer's Diagnosis

[Financial News]  As the market for Alzheimer's disease treatments expands, the market for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used to identify eligible patients is also growing. South Korean radiopharmaceutical company Duchembio accounted for more than 96% of domestic production of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing Alzheimer's dementia.
According to an analysis by Duchembio of item-specific production data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 22nd, domestic production of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing Alzheimer's dementia increased from KRW 7.2 billion in 2023 to KRW 8.03 billion in 2024 and KRW 12.27 billion in 2025. Last year's production value rose 52.9% from the previous year.
The combined production value of Duchembio's Vizamyl and Nuraceq last year was KRW 11.81 billion, accounting for 96.3% of total domestic production. The growth rate in the production value of the two products also increased from 12% in 2024 to 55% in 2025. The rise is believed to have coincided with the start of Leqembi prescriptions in South Korea, which boosted demand for diagnostic tests.
Growth was also evident in product sales. Duchembio's sales of Vizamyl and Nuraceq reached KRW 4.55 billion in the first half of this year, up 38.3% from KRW 3.29 billion during the same period last year. That figure represents 61% of the approximately KRW 7.5 billion in annual sales recorded last year.
The expansion of Alzheimer's disease treatments is a major driver of growth in the diagnostic market. Anti-amyloid treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla are administered to patients whose brains have been confirmed to show beta-amyloid pathology, making diagnosis necessary before treatment.
Kisunla, Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's disease treatment whose active ingredient is donanemab, is currently undergoing product approval review by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Beta-amyloid pathology must be confirmed before treatment with Kisunla, and PET scans can also be used during treatment to assess the degree of amyloid reduction and determine whether dosing should continue. If the drug is introduced in South Korea, demand for PET scans before and after treatment could increase.
The population eligible for diagnosis is also expected to expand. Based on statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Central Dementia Center, the estimated pool of patients potentially eligible for Alzheimer's treatment in 2025 includes approximately 2.98 million people with mild cognitive impairment and about 300,000 people with early Alzheimer's dementia, for a total of approximately 3.3 million. The figure is projected to rise to about 4.5 million by 2033.
Profitability also improved. Duchembio's consolidated operating profit last year was KRW 7.4 billion, an increase of approximately 47% from the previous year. Its operating margin rose from approximately 14% in 2024 to about 19% last year.
Radiopharmaceuticals have a short half-life because the radioactive isotope F-18 has a half-life of approximately 110 minutes, making it difficult to maintain inventory for extended periods. Since the products must be supplied to medical institutions on the day they are manufactured, the regional distribution of manufacturing facilities and the establishment of a supply chain are important.
Duchembio operates 12 manufacturing sites nationwide, five of which are GMP-certified facilities. The company plans to focus its investments in 2027 on expanding its manufacturing sites and testing infrastructure.
Sang Woo Kim, CEO of Duchembio, said, "As Alzheimer's disease treatment becomes more widespread, the importance of diagnostic infrastructure for accurately identifying patients eligible for treatment and monitoring their treatment progress is also growing," adding, "As the introduction of new treatments could increase both the number of people requiring tests and the frequency of testing, we will strengthen a stable supply system."

[email protected] Jung Sang-hee Reporter