Dong-A ST announced on the 24th that its operating profit for the second quarter of this year was 4 billion won, a decrease of 43.4% compared to the same period last year. During the same period, sales increased by 12.5% year-on-year to 177.4 billion won.
The company cited the rising cost rate as the background for the decline in operating profit. In contrast, the institutional sector of prescription drugs (ETC) and international business grew, leading to an increase in sales.
The institutional sector of prescription drugs showed an increase of 19.5% compared to the same period last year. Notably, sales of the growth hormone product 'Grotropin' and the peripheral circulation improvement agent 'Tanamin' increased, and a new product, the gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment 'Ja Q Bo,' developed by JEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, was added.
Sales in the international business sector increased by 5.5% year-on-year as exports of the autoimmune disease treatment 'Stelara' biosimilar (a biological medicine generic) named 'Imuldosa' began. Imuldosa has been launched in a total of 13 countries, including Germany, and has received product approvals in regions such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In the United States, the local packaging schedule has been delayed, and it is expected to be released in the third quarter.
The company has completed global phase 2a trials for the metabolic syndrome-related fatty liver disease (MASH) and type 2 diabetes treatment 'DA-21241' through its U.S. subsidiary Metabia. Additionally, phase 1a trials for the obesity treatment 'DA-1726' and phase 1 trials for the dementia treatment 'DA-7503' are ongoing.