If last year laid the groundwork for a leap through global research, this year must be a decisive year to take another step up through market No. 1 for the core product Cenobamate, the launch of a future growth pillar centered on radiopharmaceuticals (RPT), and innovation based on artificial intelligence (AI).
Lee Dong-hoon, president of SK Biopharmaceuticals, said at the New Year's gathering on Jan. 2 in the byeongo year (丙午年), "2026 will be the first year SK Biopharmaceuticals completes its global leadership."
The new epilepsy drug Cenobamate (U.S. brand name XCOPRI®) has been a core asset driving the company's revenue growth since its initial U.S. launch in May 2020. Cumulative revenue for the first to third quarters last year was 459.5 billion won, surpassing the full-year 438.7 billion won in just nine months.
Lee said, "Based on Cenobamate's growth momentum and data from clinical expansion, we will broaden the prescribing arena and secure absolute leadership as the market is reshaped by factors such as the expiration of patents for competing drugs."
Lee cited RPT as a key modality that will become a future growth pillar for the company. He said, "RPT is a market where there is still no clear global frontrunner, and securing the early lead will determine the pace of future growth." He added, "We will rapidly pursue pipeline expansion, global partnerships, and stable supply chain assurance to ensure that the 'first-mover opportunity' is translated into results."
Lee said, "We will convert the data- and AI-based research system the company has built into tangible competitiveness and redesign the entire research and development cycle around AI to evolve into an 'AI-driven biopharma.'"
On global operating strategy, Lee said, "By sharing the market entry and commercialization experience accumulated through direct sales in the United States with partners in each country, we have strengthened regional collaboration models and data-based decision-making systems," adding, "On this foundation, we will reinforce execution across all areas, including supply chains, regulatory responses, and commercial operations, and proactively refine our internal operating systems in preparation for expansion into new markets, including Asia."