United Pharm Targets Respiratory Market with Sereterol Activair

Korea United Pharm is preparing to launch Sereterol Activair, marking a decisive step into the asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) inhaler market.

According to the company’s investor relations (IR) data released on October 1, annual sales have steadily increased from $158 million in 2021 to $206 million in 2024. Operating profit also rose sharply, climbing 69.5% from $23.7 million to $40.1 million over the same period, with profit margins improving from 15% to 19.5%.

This performance reflects the company’s focus on value-added drugs such as Cilostan CR and Atmeg Combigel Soft Capsule. An industry observer commented, “Nearly 60% of Korea United Pharm’s portfolio consists of improved formulations. By leveraging in-house controlled-release technologies, the company has consistently reduced costs and enhanced profitability, making it a hidden gem in the market.”

With attention now shifting to Sereterol Activair, the company aims to solidify its reputation as a high-value South Korean player.

Sereterol Activair is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) designed for patients with mild to severe asthma and COPD. An R&D executive at a leading pharmaceutical firm noted, “As COPD cases in Korea continue to rise, Korea United Pharm’s push to develop a DPI in South Korea is a significant milestone. If approved in the fourth quarter, cost savings through proprietary technology will strengthen its position as a high-value company.”

The company completed its DPI manufacturing facility in 2021 and secured GMP approval from the Daejeon Regional MFDS. The fully automated plant can produce 8,000 inhalers per day, each delivering 60 doses, covering every stage from inhaler assembly to final packaging.

A company spokesperson explained, “Our goal is to challenge multinational dominance in the asthma and COPD market with a fully Korean technology base. The device ensures consistent dosing across different airflow rates, enabling reliable treatment for both mild and severe patients. Beyond profitability, Sereterol Activair represents a drug delivery platform that can be expanded into other therapeutic areas.”

Industry experts agree that this platform could extend beyond respiratory diseases. A quality control executive from a mid-sized pharmaceutical firm remarked, “With inhaler production infrastructure already in place, Korea United Pharm can adapt the platform to deliver a wider range of drugs.”

To accelerate this expansion, the company is collaborating with Chonbuk National University Hospital and the Airway-Targeted Therapeutics Research Center to incorporate new candidates for refractory respiratory diseases into the inhaler platform.

“Our immediate focus is asthma and COPD,” the company spokesperson added. “But our partnership with Chonbuk National University underscores our broader vision to establish Sereterol Activair as a next-generation drug delivery platform.”