Huons said it achieved a record-high revenue in the second quarter, posting 156 billion won in sales, up 4.7 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit surged 40 percent to 13.1 billion won, and net profit, 46.5 percent to 11.8 billion won. 

The company said it saw balanced growth across all business segments in the second quarter, with improved performances from subsidiaries. 

Both Huons N, a subsidiary specializing in health functional foods that completed its spin-off and merger in May, and Huons LifeSciences, which specializes in prescription drugs, turned to profit. Pangen Biotech, acquired late last year, was included as Huons’ consolidated subsidiary starting this June.

By business segment, the ETC(ethical drugs) division recorded sales of 69.1 billion won in the second quarter. The division continued its stable growth, led by its metabolic disease drugs and injectable exports, marking a 3.9 percent increase year-on-year. Notably, injectable exports to North America in the second quarter reached 5.4 billion won, a 51 percent surge compared to the same period last year.

Sales from the beauty and wellness segment declined 13 percent to 42.2 billion won, due to the transfer of the health functional food business unit’s performance to Huons N, starting last May. Sales from the contract manufacturing organization (CMO) business increased by 7.4 percent to 20.8 billion won, driven by a rise in both contract manufacturing for eye drops, following the operation of the new eye drop line at Plant 2, and other pharmaceutical contract services.

In May, Huons received Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approval from the U.S. FDA for its products, 1 percent and 2 percent multiple-dose vials for lidocaine hydrochloride injection. Huons plans to expand its export portfolio to the U.S. by pursuing new registration for its dental anesthetics.

Meanwhile, the board of directors approved a cash dividend of 150 won per share and set the record date for the dividend as Aug. 21 under the revised Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act.