Huons Global sees steady growth in exports, R&D despite flat Q1 revenue

Huons Global said it recorded consolidated revenue of 199.1 billion won ($142.4 million), operating profit of 25.6 billion won, and net profit of 26.1 billion won in the first quarter of 2025.

Compared to the same period last year, revenue and operating profit declined slightly by 1.4 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, while net profit rose by 13.1 percent.

Although consolidated sales edged down, the company highlighted improved performance in key business segments, including prescription drug growth at Huons and robust aesthetic exports at Hugel subsidiary Humedix.

Huons Global also emphasized its ongoing investment in research and development (R&D) despite cost-cutting efforts, reporting R&D expenditure of 17.8 billion won in the first quarter—a 34 percent increase from the year before.

On a separate basis, Huons, the group’s core pharmaceutical unit, posted 145.8 billion won in sales in the first quarter, down 1.3 percent from the same period.

The company also posted operating and net profit of 12.8 billion won and 12.3 billion won, up 20.1 percent and 26 percent.

Growth in chronic disease treatments and rising exports of injectable and ophthalmic drugs to the U.S. supported this performance. The company recently secured U.S. FDA approval for two additional anesthetic products, adding to its five previously approved injectable drugs, and plans to expand its U.S. export business further.

Huons also saw improved profitability through streamlined cost management and subsidiary performance, achieving an operating margin of 8.8 percent on a consolidated basis and 9.8 percent on a standalone basis—its highest in five quarters.

Huons’ newly launched health supplement affiliate, Huons En, posted revenue of 11.7 billion won and turned to a profit with 200 million won in operating income. Another affiliate, Huons Life Science, significantly reduced its operating loss, recording 5.8 billion won in sales and a 50 million won deficit.

Aesthetic-focused subsidiary Humedix reported standalone revenue of 40.1 billion won, a 2.5 percent decrease from the previous year, but operating and net profit rose by 7.3 percent and 45 percent, respectively, to 11.4 billion won and 13.4 billion won.

The company attributed this to higher sales of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, particularly in Brazil, and new product approvals in Thailand. Growth in cosmetic and active pharmaceutical ingredient businesses also contributed to the improved factory utilization and profitability.

Huons MNC, a subsidiary specializing in healthcare packaging materials, posted first-quarter consolidated revenue of 12.5 billion won. Operating and net profits dropped sharply by 49.6 percent and 76.4 percent, respectively, due to cost pressures.

While the glass packaging segment saw slightly lower sales, the cosmetics division's sales surged 77.2 percent year-on-year following last year’s business transfer. The company expects further growth as its Vietnam production facility begins full-scale operation in the second quarter.

Huons Biopharma, which develops botulinum toxin products, posted sales of 7.2 billion won and 1.4 billion won in operating profit.

Exports to markets such as Thailand and Iraq increased, but sales in Korea declined, leading to lower overall results.

Huons Meditech swung to a loss, with sales falling to 13.3 billion won amid a decline in medical device exports.

“Despite ongoing global economic uncertainty, Huons Group is driving visible results through aggressive export expansion and sustained R&D investment, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy,” Huons CEO Song Soo-young said.