i-Sens Soars 23% on EU CGM Expansion [K-bio pulse]

This article was released as Pharm Edaily Premium Content on February 13, 2026, at 8:10 AM.

[Kim Jinsoo, Edaily Reporter] Shares of South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies rallied Thursday, led by i-Sens Inc., which surged on news of its expansion into the European continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) market.

Pharmicell Co. also posted sharp gains after reporting robust growth across its business units and forecasting continued expansion. Meanwhile, Hyundai ADM and its research partner Gencurix saw their stock prices climb after announcing breakthrough findings on the causes of chemotherapy resistance.

i-sens stock trend. (KG Zeroin MP Doctor)

i-Sens Jumps on European Market Entry

Shares of i-Sens closed at 23,450 won, up 21.88% from the previous session, according to market data provider KG Zeroin MP Doctor. The rally was attributed to the commercialization of its next-generation CGM products and anticipated sales growth in Europe.

In an earnings release Wednesday i-Sens reported 2025 revenue of 315.7 billion won and an operating profit of 8.3 billion won. Revenue rose 8.4% year over year while operating profit surged more than 200%.

The company’s CGM division showed particularly strong momentum. In 2025, the division recorded 17.6 billion won in sales, surpassing its annual target of 15 billion won. While domestic sales accounted for 10.9 billion won, overseas sales reached 6.7 billion won. Notably, international sales overtook domestic sales in the fourth quarter, signaling a shift toward an export-driven growth structure.

Expansion is expected to accelerate following a private-label supply agreement with LifeScan Enterprise LLC, a global diabetes management firm. Under the deal, i-Sens will supply CGM products to LifeScan, which will launch them in Europe under the “OneTouch” brand. Currently, i-Sens’ “CareSens Air” is available in 27 countries.

LifeScan, a veteran in the blood glucose monitoring industry for over 40 years, operates an extensive distribution network across tens of thousands of pharmacies and clinics in Europe. i-Sens plans to launch its CGM products in Germany, Portugal, Belgium and Ireland early next year.

To meet rising demand, i-Sens has expanded its annual production capacity to 2 million units through an automated line at its Songdo Plant 2. Its next-generation model, CareSens Air 2, which features improved performance and wearability, is currently undergoing clinical trials and regulatory approval, with a target launch in the first quarter of 2027.

“We expect the specific framework for our U.S. CGM business to emerge within this year,” an i-Sens official said. “We are preparing to ensure the scheduled launch of CareSens Air 2 in South Korea and Europe in 2027, followed by the U.S. in 2028.”

Pharmicell Rises 16% on Record Performance

Pharmicell shares rose 16.13% to close at 16,990 won, reflecting both last year’s strong performance and future growth prospects.

The company announced it achieved its highest-ever annual performance, with revenue of 114 billion won and an operating profit of 34.3 billion won. Revenue increased 75% year-over-year, marking the first time the company has surpassed the 100 billion won milestone. Net income jumped 536% to 40.3 billion won.

Growth was driven by the biochemical division, particularly in low-dielectric electronic materials and raw pharmaceutical ingredients. Sales of low dielectric materials used in high value equipment such as AI accelerators, 5G networks, and base station antennas—reached 64.7 billion won, a 118% increase from the previous year.

The company has maintained a decade long partnership with Doosan Corp. (Electronic BG) to develop resins and curing agents. In December, it began supplying high-performance specialty curing agents, further solidifying its market position.

The pharmaceutical materials segment also grew significantly, with sales rising 84% to 20.4 billion won.

“We are building a track record in both electronic materials and pharmaceutical ingredients based on our technological edge,” a Pharmicell official said. “We plan to significantly expand capacity with the completion of our third plant in the second half of this year.”

Hyundai ADM Hits Daily Limit

Hyundai ADM shares hit the daily limit, closing at 5,680 won, while Gencurix rose 19.49% to 1,950 won. The gains followed a report on the mechanisms behind cancer drug resistance.

Hyundai ADM Bio announced it has identified the genetic mechanism for overcoming “pseudo resistance.” Through genomic analysis of pancreatic cancer patient-derived organoids (PDO), researchers found that drug resistance is often caused by a “physical barrier” surrounding cancer cells rather than mutations within the cells themselves.

Gencurix, which specializes in RNA-seq genetic analysis, collaborated with Hyundai ADM and Organoidsciences to uncover the nature of this resistance.

Hyundai Bioscience, the parent company of Hyundai ADM, plans to use these findings for upcoming clinical trials involving prostate cancer patients who do not respond to standard treatments like enzalutamide.

“We intend to prove this mechanism through prostate cancer trials and eventually expand to other refractory solid tumors such as lung and breast cancer,” a Hyundai ADM official said.

김진수 (kim89@edaily.co.kr)