Samyang Biopharm, T&R Biofab Surge…Peptron Volatile on Lilly Catalyst[K-Bio Pulse]

This article was released as Pharm Edaily Premium Content on December 1, 2025, at 8:10 AM.

[Kim Saemi, Edaily Reporter] On October 28 the Korea Exchange saw a sharp divergence across the bio sector Samyang Biopharm Corporation hit an upper limit on the KOSPI while T&R Biofab Co. Ltd. surged to a limit up on the KOSDAQ. In contrast Peptron Inc. spiked during regular trading on optimism over the potential full product manufacturing of Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Mounjaro only to tumble in after hours trading after news of an extension to Lilly’s platform technology evaluation period.

Samyang Biopharm and T&R Biofab Hit Upper Limits from the Opening Bell

According to KG Zeroin’s MP Doctor (formerly Market Point), Samyang Biopharm closed at 66,000 won, up 15,300 won (29.82%) from the previous day maintaining its upper limit band throughout the session. With three consecutive limit up sessions following its spin off listing the company’s market cap has soared from 224.6 billion won at IPO to 495.2 billion won more than doubling in three trading days.

Samyang Biopharm stock trend on Oct. 28 (Source: NaverPay Securities)

The rally appears driven by a rerating following the company’s split from Samyang Holdings. Samyang Biopharm regained independence 4 years and 7 months after being absorbed into the holding company. During the period as a business division under the holding structure, financials and standalone performance were not disclosed in public filings, limiting proper valuation.

Now listed independently, Samyang Biopharm is positioned to rebuild corporate value based on its specialty focused portfolio including bioabsorbable surgical sutures gene delivery systems and oncology products.

A company official commented “Since the spin off the ability to evaluate Samyang Biopharm’s corporate value independently appears to have contributed to the stock movement.”

T&R Biofab also shot to a limit up early in the session, driven by expectations surrounding Blisspack, an unlisted OEM/ODM manufacturer of freeze-dried cosmetic balls acquired last year. Kiwoom Securities published a report on Blisspack that morning, adding fuel to investor sentiment.

The report noted that Blisspack’s business environment has stabilized after the acquisition including reset pricing with major clients and projected sustained high growth driven by new product launches. Cosmetics jointly developed with T&R Biofab are scheduled for 4Q 2024 launch, with overseas distribution contracts already underway.

Blisspack has delivered rapid growth recording 9 billion won in 1Q revenue (+90% YoY). Full year revenue is expected to reach 20 billion won, with 30%+ growth planned for next year.

A T&R Biofab official said “The report on Blisspack appears to be the direct trigger for today’s rally. We expect Blisspack to generate substantial net profit next year.”

The company added that results from the FDA submission for its craniofacial implant (CFI) are expected within three months noting confidence in approval given that the device has been used more than 20,000 times domestically with no major safety issues since MFDS approval in February 2021.

T&R Biofab craniofacial implant (Source: Lim Jung-yo, Edaily Reporter)

Peptron Whipsaws on Conflicting Signals from Lilly

Peptron experienced extreme volatility throughout the day. During regular trading, expectations over potential Mounjaro finished-product manufacturing in Korea sent the stock soaring, with shares reaching 369,500 won (+20%) intraday before paring gains to close at 340,000 won (+10.39%).

The market grew increasingly optimistic that Peptron may be tapped as Lilly’s local finished-product manufacturing partner for Mounjaro. Other long-acting obesity-drug platform developers, including G2GBIO and Inventage Lab, also gained 13.63% and 9.22%, respectively.

Peptron headquarters (Source: Peptron)

Peptron is currently pushing to build a U.S. cGMP grade sustained release drug manufacturing facility at Osong Advanced Medical Complex in Cheongju, with construction permits under review by the Chungbuk Free Economic Zone Authority.

Investor focus remains on Peptron’s SmartDepot long-acting injectable platform, being jointly evaluated with Lilly since October 2023. The original disclosure stated the evaluation period would end after 14 months, implying results could arrive as early as December 7.

However at 3:31 p.m. Peptron disclosed that the evaluation period may be extended due to newly agreed in-vivo studies on a specific peptide formulation. The company emphasized that the contract term remains “until evaluation completion” and no formal contract amendment is required.

The after-hours market reacted sharply: Peptron fell to 291,000 won (-5.52%), with investors pricing in the potential delay.

One industry official remarked “It’s hard not to worry about what happens when the market opens Monday. In a hyper competitive GLP-1 landscape, an extended evaluation is not a positive signal.”

GemVax Drops on FDA Rejection of GV1001 BTD Request

Meanwhile, GemVax&KAEL Co. Ltd. (GemVax) tumbled after 2 p.m. closing at 33,000 won (-12.47%) after it became known that its progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) therapy GV1001 did not receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) from the U.S. FDA.

GemVax acknowledged the decision in a company notice but stressed that Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Fast Track status remain intact. The company plans to accelerate Phase 3 trial design and its IND submission.

A GemVax spokesperson stated “Regardless of the BTD outcome the benefits associated with ODD and Fast Track remain valid. Our commitment to developing the world’s first PSP therapy has not changed. We will make every effort to bring GV1001 to market as swiftly as possible.”

김새미 (bird@edaily.co.kr)