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  • SK hynix holds onto rival Kioxia as AI turns NAND into battleground
    SK hynix holds onto rival Kioxia as AI turns NAND into battleground SEOUL, July 26 (AJP) — Bain Capital earlier this month has closed the book on one of the biggest private equity wins of the artificial intelligence era by fully exiting Japanese memory chipmaker Kioxia. SK hynix, however, is staying put. The South Korean memory giant continues to hold an indirect 14 percent stake in Kioxia through a special-purpose investment vehicle established during Bain's 2018 acquisition of Toshiba Memory, underscoring that the investment has evolved from a financial holding into a strategic asset in the rapidly changing AI memory market. Bain confirmed earlier this month that it had completed the sale of its remaining Kioxia shares after gradually reducing its ownership following the company's public listing. The eight-year investment reportedly generated profits exceeding $15 billion as AI-driven demand transformed Kioxia into one of Japan's highest-valued technology companies. SK hynix has taken a markedly different path. Unlike Bain, whose objective was to monetize its investment, the world's second-largest memory chipmaker appears to view Kioxia as an increasingly valuable strategic foothold in the NAND flash market, which has become an integral part of AI infrastructure alongside high-bandwidth memory. SK hynix is the global leader in HBM, supplying Nvidia and other AI chip designers with premium memory used to process AI workloads. But as hyperscale data centers expand, demand is also surging for enterprise solid-state drives built on NAND flash memory to store and retrieve the enormous datasets that AI models require. Industry analysts increasingly describe AI servers as consuming both "fast memory" and "massive memory" — HBM for computation and NAND for storage. That changing dynamic has elevated NAND from a traditionally cyclical commodity business into another critical layer of AI infrastructure. According to TrendForce, Samsung Electronics remained the world's largest NAND flash supplier in the first quarter with a 31.6 percent revenue share. SK hynix, including subsidiary Solidigm, ranked second with 17.6 percent, while Kioxia held 13.9 percent alongside Micron and SanDisk. The ownership therefore gives SK hynix exposure to one of its largest competitors while broadening its reach across the AI memory ecosystem. The holding also preserves strategic flexibility. SK hynix originally participated in Bain's $18 billion acquisition of Toshiba Memory through convertible bonds and the special-purpose vehicle rather than as a conventional equity investor. Those securities could potentially provide opportunities to increase its economic interest should market conditions or strategic priorities change. The investment comes as the NAND industry itself is undergoing structural change. Years of oversupply and volatile pricing have prompted manufacturers to become more disciplined in production expansion, while AI data centers have created a new source of sustained demand for enterprise storage. Industry forecasts expect enterprise SSD shipments to continue growing as cloud providers increase AI infrastructure investment, improving the long-term outlook for NAND producers. TrendForce expects the NAND flash market to remain undersupplied throughout 2026 as AI infrastructure spending continues to outpace manufacturers' ability to expand production. Suppliers are relying largely on process migrations rather than building new fabrication plants because memory makers continue to prioritize more profitable DRAM and HBM capacity. The research firm forecasts global NAND supply to remain 4-5 percent below demand this year, extending shortages that have supported pricing. While supply growth is expected to accelerate in 2027 as Korean, U.S. and Japanese manufacturers upgrade existing production lines and Chinese suppliers ramp up new facilities, TrendForce does not expect market balance to return until the second half of next year. Server shipments are projected to rise 17 percent this year as Intel's and AMD's next-generation platforms gain traction, with further acceleration expected in 2027 as agentic AI applications become commercialized and supply bottlenecks for CPUs and memory ease. Servers now account for more than 40 percent of global NAND flash bit demand, surpassing traditional consumer applications as the industry's primary growth engine. Although smartphones and notebook PCs together still represent nearly 40 percent of NAND consumption, both markets are expected to remain weak through 2027, reinforcing the growing importance of enterprise AI infrastructure in shaping industry profitability. For SK hynix, retaining exposure to Kioxia also provides insight into a rival that remains Japan's sole global-scale NAND manufacturer, at a time when semiconductor supply chains are increasingly shaped by geopolitical considerations as much as market competition. The contrast with Bain's exit illustrates two very different approaches to the AI boom. For the private equity firm, Kioxia represented a spectacular realization of investment gains after the company's market value soared following its listing. For SK hynix, the stake appears to have become less about locking in profits than maintaining a strategic position across the full spectrum of AI memory technologies. As AI spending shifts beyond processors to encompass the entire data-center stack, the value of controlling both computing memory and storage memory may ultimately outweigh the gains from simply cashing out. 2026-07-26 18:10:14
  • Weather Forecast: Showers Expected in Seoul and Surrounding Areas with Highs Reaching 36°C
    Weather Forecast: Showers Expected in Seoul and Surrounding Areas with Highs Reaching 36°C On Monday, July 27, showers are expected primarily in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, while much of the country will continue to experience a heat wave. From morning to evening, Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon will see showers ranging from 5 to 40 mm. The expected rainfall for the five western islands and the northern coast of Gangwon is between 5 and 20 mm. The morning low temperatures are forecasted to be between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs are expected to reach between 28 and 36 degrees Celsius. For the time being, the perceived temperature in most regions of the country is expected to exceed 33 degrees Celsius, with some areas in the southern region surpassing 35 degrees. Tropical nights, where nighttime lows do not drop below 25 degrees, are also anticipated in various locations. Waves in the East, West, and South Seas are expected to be between 0.5 and 1.0 meters. In the offshore waters within approximately 200 km of the coastline, wave heights are forecasted to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East and West Seas, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the South Sea. The expected morning low temperatures in major regions are as follows: Seoul 26°C, Incheon 26°C, Suwon 26°C, Chuncheon 24°C, Gangneung 24°C, Cheongju 25°C, Daejeon 25°C, Sejong 24°C, Jeonju 25°C, Gwangju 25°C, Daegu 25°C, Busan 26°C, Ulsan 25°C, Changwon 26°C, and Jeju 27°C. Daytime highs are forecasted to be: Seoul 33°C, Incheon 33°C, Suwon 33°C, Chuncheon 31°C, Gangneung 30°C, Cheongju 34°C, Daejeon 34°C, Sejong 33°C, Jeonju 34°C, Gwangju 35°C, Daegu 36°C, Busan 33°C, Ulsan 36°C, Changwon 35°C, and Jeju 34°C.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:04:00
  • Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Responds to Family Concerns of Crew Members in Hormuz
    Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Responds to Family Concerns of Crew Members in Hormuz The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has responded to concerns raised by the families of crew members following reports about the situation in the Hormuz Strait. The ministry stated that since the blockade began on February 28, it has been operating a 24-hour emergency response team to manage the ongoing situation. Additionally, since March 3, the ministry has established an 'emergency consultation and communication channel' for crew members and their families, providing round-the-clock phone and email support to address their concerns.The ministry emphasized that it has been working as a unified team with other government departments, shipping companies, and labor unions to ensure the safety of the crew and vessels since the outbreak of the conflict.This response follows a report published on June 30, which highlighted the frustrations of the families regarding the government's communication and support efforts. 2026-07-26 18:04:00
  • Lessons from the Meiji Restoration: Governance Requires Unity
    Lessons from the Meiji Restoration: Governance Requires Unity Meiji Restoration was a revolution that transformed Japan into a modern state. However, those who succeeded in the revolution did not all work together to build the new nation. While they united to dismantle the old power structure, they diverged in the process of governing the country after seizing power. The greatest lesson from the Meiji Restoration is not the success of the revolution itself, but the importance of unity in governance. In September 1877, in Shiroyama, Kagoshima, two heroes of the Meiji Restoration, Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, ultimately could not reconcile. Once comrades in the revolution that toppled the Tokugawa shogunate, they became adversaries, pointing their guns at each other. The Seinan War, Japan's last civil war, ended with a victory for the Meiji government forces. This outcome was a result of the different paths chosen by those who had achieved the revolution together. History often describes this conflict as a clash between idealism and realism. However, the essence is somewhat different. Both men shared the same goal of making Japan a prosperous modern nation. What diverged was not the goal itself, but the order in which to achieve it. Saigo sought to establish a moral foundation first, while Okubo aimed to strengthen national power. Saigo was a leader who gathered people, whereas Okubo was a leader focused on managing the state. While Saigo was a revolutionary who dismantled the old order, Okubo was a builder who established the institutions and foundations of the new nation. He reorganized finances, promoted industry, and concentrated national resources on building modern administration and military. His role was crucial in laying the groundwork for Japan to compete with Western powers in a short period. Ultimately, history accepted Okubo's choice. Japan pursued industrialization and established the foundations of a modern state. However, this victory came at a cost. The Seinan War left behind enormous war expenses, equivalent to a significant portion of the national revenue at the time, leading to inflation, fiscal austerity, rural devastation, and social conflict. Most importantly, the dissatisfaction and loss felt by the defeated samurai class were not politically absorbed, leaving deep societal fractures. The state grew stronger, but the political unity needed to bind society together could not keep pace. While victorious, the limitations of unity became evident. The Meiji Restoration succeeded in creating a modern state, but the process of integrating various factions into a new order left considerable sacrifices and aftereffects. This remains a political lesson from the Meiji Restoration that resonates even today, over 150 years later. This lesson is applicable to South Korean politics today. The upcoming Democratic Party convention next month should not be viewed merely as a competition for party leadership. It is the first leadership election for the ruling party since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration. The new leadership will need to support the president's governance philosophy through legislation, manage next year's budget, and lead the ruling party until the 2028 general elections. This convention is not just a procedure to elect a party leader; it is a process of laying the political foundation for future governance. The Lee Jae-myung administration faces complex and heavy challenges. Tasks that will shape the nation's future, such as AI national strategy, enhancing semiconductor competitiveness, fostering advanced manufacturing and defense industries, energy transition, balanced regional development, and addressing low birth rates and aging, are all being pursued simultaneously. Externally, the administration must actively respond to U.S.-China strategic competition, global supply chain restructuring, and changes in trade order. All these tasks require long-term momentum and political stability. Recently, there have been concerns in the political arena that no matter how much success is achieved in diplomacy and the economy, if the ruling party cannot be operated stably, the momentum for governance will not last long. This is a principle of politics that history has repeatedly shown, transcending the opinions of specific politicians. Diplomacy elevates the nation's status, and the economy improves the lives of citizens. However, the power to solidify and sustain those achievements lies in politics. If the president sets the direction for governance, the ruling party must play the role of turning that direction into reality. Even if the government formulates policies and the president makes decisions, laws must pass through the National Assembly, and budgets require the Assembly's approval. If the government and ruling party do not move in the same direction, reform legislation will be delayed, budgets will drift, and it will be difficult to achieve policy outcomes that citizens can feel. Conversely, if the ruling party operates stably, policies can gain momentum, and governance can maintain consistency. The leadership of the ruling party is not merely an internal power issue; it is directly linked to the success or failure of national governance. Viewing this convention solely as a contest between reform and growth, or between hardline and moderate approaches, risks missing the essence. The ruling party cannot exist solely through struggle like the opposition, nor can it be evaluated only on administrative performance like the government. It must possess the strength to promote reform, the responsibility to manage governance stably, and the leadership to unify diverse opinions. Internal competition is necessary, but the purpose of that competition should not be to exclude others. It should aim to create better policies and stronger governing capabilities. The Democratic Party has already received the public's mandate to govern. What is now needed is to translate electoral victories into governance achievements. It will be difficult to operate governance stably if the party only looks to the support base that helped them win elections. Politics must consider not only the voices within the party but also the concerns of citizens who did not support them. The unity of the ruling party is not merely a matter of distributing positions among factions; it must be a process of incorporating the diverse interests and demands of society into government policy. The Meiji government was able to push for strong centralization and industrialization because it had clear national goals and momentum. However, in the process, it failed to adequately address the losses and anger of those left behind, ultimately paying a steep price in civil war. The faster the pace of reform, the more important it is for politics to embrace those who feel left behind or excluded. Momentum and unity are not mutually exclusive; they are both essential conditions for governance. After the Democratic Party convention, competition must come to an end. The new leader should not be merely a representative of the winners but a representative of the entire party. They must be able to embrace not only those who supported them but also party members and lawmakers who made different choices. A leadership that blindly follows the government or one that seeks to compete with the government is not desirable. The ruling party must correct the government's misdirection when necessary and unite to support needed reforms, sharing responsibility for governance outcomes. History remembers the aftermath of elections longer than the results themselves. The Meiji Restoration demonstrated that building a nation and unifying it are distinct challenges. The ability to acquire power and the ability to operate it stably are not the same. Elections create winners. However, governance is not completed solely through victory. Only when the government leads with the voices of those who competed and felt excluded can the nation move forward. This is the political lesson from the Meiji Restoration that resonates today: governance is completed not through victory, but through unity.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:00:00
  • APR to Internalize Key Component Technology for Beauty Devices
    APR to Internalize Key Component Technology for Beauty Devices APR is set to internalize system semiconductor and key component technology for beauty devices through a government project.On July 23, APR held a kickoff meeting at Lotte World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, following its selection by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the semiconductor advanced industry technology development project, the company announced on July 26.The event was attended by Shin Jae-woo, head of APR's R&D Center, Park Dong-hee, head of the technology research office, and representatives from domestic university research institutes and government-funded research organizations.APR was selected as the lead organization for the project last month and will collaborate with participating organizations to carry out the project over four years, concluding in 2029. The consortium is expected to receive a total funding of 7.6 billion won.The project aims to secure core components and system technologies that influence the output stability, miniaturization, energy efficiency, and safety control of beauty devices. Research related to system semiconductors, which determine the performance of beauty devices, will also be conducted.Additionally, APR plans to expand its product development capabilities in the beauty device sector into the semiconductor and core technology areas, establishing a K-Beauty Tech platform that integrates semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and hardware.An APR official stated, "We will collaborate with domestic research institutions and universities to internalize key K-Beauty Tech technologies and secure differentiated technological competitiveness in the global market."Meanwhile, APR plans to introduce new medical beauty devices in South Korea as early as the end of this year and aims for global business expansion in the medium to long term.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:00:00
  • Crown Haitai Hosts 17th Hanum Traditional Music Competition with 700 Students
    Crown Haitai Hosts 17th Hanum Traditional Music Competition with 700 Students Crown Haitai Confectionery announced on July 26 that it held the 17th Hanum Traditional Music Dream Competition and the 14th Gather! Hanum Talents Competition at the Crown Haitai Hall in Namsan, Seoul, on July 24-25.The Hanum Talents Competition, which aims to discover traditional music talent and promote the preservation and development of Korean traditional music, has been held annually since 2010. This year, over 700 students from approximately 150 elementary and middle schools across the country participated to showcase their skills.The individual competition, the Hanum Traditional Music Dream Competition, was divided into categories for lower and upper elementary students and middle school students, featuring 10 different sections including wind, string, and vocal music. In the results, the grand prize for the lower elementary category went to Oh Chae-yeon (Gyeonggi Baegot Lala Elementary) in the vocal section, while Kim Da-yoon (Daegu Dongcheon Elementary) won the grand prize for the upper elementary category in the string section, and Hong Seo-jin (Gyeonggi Garim Middle) took the grand prize in the dance section for middle school. A total of 76 participants received awards and shared over 40 million won in prize money.In the group competition, Gather! Hanum Talents, teams from 12 sections including orchestral, dance, vocal, percussion, and performance competed for the overall grand prize. The overall grand prize, awarded by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, went to the Yeum Traditional Performance Group for their performance in the percussion section. Each winning team in the various sections received over 70 million won in prize money and certificates.The Hanum talents selected through this competition will have the opportunity to perform at the Changsin Festival, the largest traditional music event hosted by a domestic corporation, and at the Young Talent Hanum Concert held at the Crown Haitai Hall in Namsan.A representative from Crown Haitai stated, "We will continue to support the talents who will lead the future of our traditional music so they can pursue even greater dreams."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 17:52:00
  • Yoon Sang-hyun Calls for Joint Public Recount and Special Investigation
    Yoon Sang-hyun Calls for Joint Public Recount and Special Investigation Yoon Sang-hyun, chairman of the National Assembly's special investigation committee on the recent shortage of ballots during the local elections, stated on July 26 that "a public recount and a special investigation must proceed together. The best approach is to conduct the public recount under the supervision of the special investigation team."During a press conference at the National Assembly, Yoon argued, "With the emergence of ballot manipulation incidents, it seems unlikely that the special investigation committee can conclude its work, so the duration should be extended."He asserted that the special investigation should comprehensively address not only the ballot shortage but also the recently revealed ballot manipulation incidents, allegations of inadequate and fraudulent elections, and other related cases identified during the investigation. While both ruling and opposition parties previously agreed on the method for recommending the special investigation, they have yet to reach a consensus on the duration or scope of the investigation.Regarding the recount, Yoon noted, "There are differing opinions among members of the People Power Party. Many believe that a public recount should be conducted promptly," adding, "I hope this can be discussed in a general meeting of lawmakers when the opportunity arises."Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the timing of the recount for 2.47 million ballots stored at the handball stadium in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul. The Democratic Party has called for an "immediate recount," while the People Power Party has insisted on waiting until the special investigation is launched.Meanwhile, the special investigation committee's activities are set to conclude by August 1. If an agreement on extending the duration fails, it is expected that the committee will adopt its report and disband. Yoon mentioned that "discussions are ongoing among the committee members" and expressed optimism that a conclusion might be reached within the week.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 17:44:00
  • Dry Eye Treatment Market Expands, But New Drug Development Remains Challenging
    Dry Eye Treatment Market Expands, But New Drug Development Remains Challenging The dry eye treatment market is rapidly growing, yet new drug development remains a formidable challenge. The diverse causes of the condition make it difficult to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials, leading global pharmaceutical companies to face setbacks. Nevertheless, the strong demand for effective treatments has prompted domestic companies to accelerate their drug development efforts.According to market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global dry eye treatment market is projected to grow from $8.55 billion this year to $15.09 billion by 2034.In South Korea, the dry eye market was valued at approximately 480 billion won in 2024, according to Ubiest. The steady increase in patients, driven by the rise in digital device usage and the chronic nature of the condition requiring long-term management, has contributed to a stable market.However, despite the market potential, new drug development is considered a significant challenge. Jeong Yoon-taek, head of the Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy Research Institute, cited the clinical characteristics of dry eye as a key reason for the difficulties in developing new treatments. Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), require both objective measures, like tear production and corneal damage improvement, and subjective symptoms reported by patients, making the process of proving efficacy particularly complex.AbbVie’s Restasis, a leading product in the dry eye market, is effective only for patients with inflammatory dry eye and typically takes about six months to show results. Artificial tears remain a symptomatic treatment, leaving a significant unmet medical need for a fundamental cure.In this market context, domestic pharmaceutical companies are continuing their new drug development efforts. Huons has completed the first patient registration for the Phase 2 clinical trial of its dry eye drug candidate, HUC1-394. This peptide-based eye drop, introduced from Novacell Technology, aims to complete the trial with the last patient visit targeted for the second half of next year, followed by the release of the clinical study report. If efficacy and safety are confirmed, the company will prepare for Phase 3 trials.While existing treatments focus on suppressing inflammation, HUC1-394 aims to promote the recovery of damaged tissue. The company expects it to fundamentally improve dry eye symptoms by healing the damaged ocular surface. This aligns with its goal of evolving from a generic manufacturer to a leading global ophthalmic company.Hanol BioPharma is currently conducting Phase 3 trials for its dry eye drug, HL036 (active ingredient: Tanfanercept). The company has confirmed statistically significant improvement in one of the Phase 2 trial endpoints, the Schirmer test, and has set this as the primary endpoint for the ongoing Phase 3 trial. The Schirmer test is a standard measure for objectively assessing tear production and is utilized in both approved dry eye treatments and many new drugs under development.Due to the high development difficulty, some companies are revising their strategies. Yuyu Pharmaceutical is considering changing the indication for its drug YP-P10 after it failed to demonstrate improvement in eye discomfort in Phase 2 trials. HLB Therapeutics is shifting its focus from developing RGN-259 for dry eye to treating neurotrophic keratitis (NK).Jeong Yoon-taek noted, “Recently, various approaches, including forming an artificial lipid layer on the tear film to prevent moisture evaporation and nerve stimulation, are being explored. Efforts to overcome development challenges through drug repurposing and combination therapies are also ongoing.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 17:36:00
  • EcoProBM, Solbrain, and Aekyung Chemical Launch Sodium-Ion Battery Alliance
    EcoProBM, Solbrain, and Aekyung Chemical Launch Sodium-Ion Battery Alliance EcoProBM is collaborating with Solbrain and Aekyung Chemical to jointly develop materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIB).On July 22, EcoProBM announced the establishment of the 'K-Sodium Alliance' after signing a memorandum of understanding with Solbrain and Aekyung Chemical at its headquarters in Ochang, North Chungcheong Province.Under this agreement, the three companies will co-develop key materials for sodium-ion batteries, including cathodes, electrolytes, and hard carbon anodes. EcoProBM will focus on cathode materials and mass production technology, Solbrain will handle electrolyte and additive technologies, and Aekyung Chemical will be responsible for hard carbon development and mass production technology.The companies will share their developed products and evaluation results, allowing them to adjust the performance of the materials and pursue joint marketing efforts targeting global cell manufacturers and automakers.Sodium-ion batteries use sodium as a raw material instead of lithium, offering lower raw material costs and advantages in low-temperature performance and lifespan, making them suitable for energy storage systems (ESS) and affordable electric vehicle batteries.However, there have been concerns about the lack of a sufficient supply chain for cathodes, electrolytes, and anodes in South Korea, which has weakened the foundation for commercialization.EcoProBM has been developing cathodes for sodium-ion batteries for the past four years and has established a pilot production line with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons.Instead of supplying individual materials separately, the three companies plan to offer a packaged material solution that combines cathodes, electrolytes, and hard carbon. This approach aims to reduce the burden on cell manufacturers and automakers to validate the performance of each material combination.EcoProBM will oversee the entire project based on its existing pilot line and cathode technology.Choi Kyung-se, head of Solbrain's central research institute, stated, "Domestic battery material companies have established a cooperative system to secure sodium-ion battery technology. We will participate in the creation of a domestic SIB ecosystem and technology development."Kim Jun-hyung, head of Aekyung Chemical's central research institute, said, "We will connect the material technologies among the three companies based on our experience in developing hard carbon anodes."Jung Hyun-soo, head of future technology at EcoProBM, noted, "The domestic supply chain for sodium-ion battery materials has not been sufficiently established, which has limited commercialization. We will promote technology development and commercialization through private cooperation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 17:36:00
  • Samsung Biologics and Celltrion Report Strong Q2 Earnings of 1.3 Trillion Won
    Samsung Biologics and Celltrion Report Strong Q2 Earnings of 1.3 Trillion Won South Korea's leading biopharmaceutical companies, Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, both reported strong earnings for the second quarter of this year, each surpassing 1.3 trillion won in revenue. Despite similar financial results, their growth strategies diverged significantly.According to industry reports on July 26, Samsung Biologics recorded consolidated revenue of 1.32 trillion won and an operating profit of 586.4 billion won for the second quarter, marking increases of 30% and 23%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Celltrion also achieved a record second-quarter revenue of 1.3 trillion won and an operating profit of 430 billion won, reflecting increases of 35.2% and 77.3%.While both companies posted impressive results, their growth strategies differ. Samsung Biologics recently decided to acquire the peptide contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Polypeptide Group, expanding its business model beyond antibody drugs to include peptides.This acquisition aims to diversify its business portfolio by securing both peptide development and production technology along with a global customer base. The financial performance of Polypeptide Group is expected to be reflected in Samsung Biologics' consolidated results starting next year.Celltrion's growth is driven by an expansion in its high-profit product lines. Products such as Jimpendra (known as Remsima SC in the U.S.), Uplizna, and Stelara now account for over 60% of its total revenue.Additionally, Celltrion has advanced its new drug candidates into clinical trial stages. As major domestic pharmaceutical companies compete in developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), Celltrion is transitioning its focus toward ADC drug development with candidates CT-P70, P71, and P73.Notably, CT-P70 and CT-P71 have received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Fast Track program facilitates expedited discussions between developers and the FDA throughout the clinical development process, potentially accelerating development timelines. Key clinical results are expected to be released sequentially starting in the second half of this year.Huh Hyemin, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Celltrion now needs to adopt a more aggressive research and development (R&D) approach. If the clinical trials for the three ADC drugs gain momentum and yield positive R&D outcomes, it could lead to a reassessment of the company's value."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 17:36:00