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Top 10 Korean Pharmaceutical & Biotech Stocks to Watch in 2025 U.S. Pharmaceutical Tariff Risk Era: In-depth Stock Analysis

AI Prompt 2025. 7. 9. 14:20
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Top 10 Korean Pharmaceutical & Biotech Stocks to Watch in 2025 U.S. Pharmaceutical Tariff Risk Era: In-depth Stock Analysis

※ The possibility of the United States imposing new or additional tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals as part of its industrial protection and supply chain stabilization policies is gaining traction. With heightened global awareness of pharmaceutical and biotech supply chains following the pandemic, the rise of U.S.–China economic rivalry, and mounting policy moves to foster domestic manufacturing, the Korean stock market now faces both uncertainties and opportunities within the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
This post will focus on the structural and immediate impacts of U.S. pharmaceutical tariff risk on the Korean pharma/biotech industry and its major listed companies, identify key drivers behind their performance, address both positive and negative elements, and provide comprehensive analysis of valuation and technical trends, ending with pragmatic long-term investment advice. 😅

 

Overview

The U.S. is considering strengthening tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biosimilars, proprietary drugs, and vaccines, especially since countries like Europe, India, Korea, and China play dominant roles in global supply. Accompanying efforts to increase self-sufficiency, these policy changes directly and indirectly affect not just major global pharma/biotech players but especially Korean listed companies with U.S. market exposure, new drug developers focused on exports, CMC/clinical/tech exports, and CMO/biopharma operators.

Below is a systematic review of 10 leading Korean pharma/biotech stocks, categorized by sector, plus a thorough analysis of key factors impacted by U.S. pharma tariffs, elements driving up and down movements in stock prices, and future value.

Top 10 Recommended Korean Pharmaceutical & Biotech Stocks (Ticker)

  1. Samsung Biologics (207940)
  2. Celltrion (068270)
  3. Hanmi Pharm (128940)
  4. Samsung Bioepis (unlisted, majority-owned by Samsung Biologics)
  5. SK Biopharm (326030)
  6. Yuhan Corporation (000100)
  7. Chong Kun Dang (185750)
  8. Daewoong Pharmaceutical (069620)
  9. Dong-A ST (170900)
  10. HLB (028300)

Factors Driving Stock Price Increases

1. Expansion of New Drug & Technology Exports in the Global Market

  • Korean pharma/biotech firms are emphasizing U.S. FDA approvals and technology out-licensing, especially in new drug and biosimilar fields, leveraging patent cliffs and biosimilar entry for growth.
  • Companies like Celltrion, Samsung Biologics, and Hanmi Pharm have solid U.S. export, license, and clinical trial track records, and can strengthen their global position even under tariff regimes due to competitive pricing and technological advantages.

2. Securing CMO Strength & U.S. Local Production

  • Samsung Biologics, Hanmi Pharm, and SK Biopharm are positioning the U.S. as a primary manufacturing and export destination, benefitting from rising CMO (contract manufacturing) demand by global pharma majors.
  • Strategies to circumvent tariff risk, including building joint ventures and facilities in the U.S. or diversifying into Europe, are actively underway.

3. Rising Brand Power and Technology Internalization in K-Bio

  • The rise in K-Bio’s global reputation, robust clinical/R&D performance, and commercialization of new biosimilars/bio-betters are strengthening market credibility and competitive edge.
  • Hanmi Pharm, HLB, and Yuhan Corp., among others, are vigorously expanding drug pipelines through proprietary platforms.

4. Supply Chain Diversification and API Self-Sufficiency

  • Even major U.S. pharma firms are reducing their reliance on Chinese and Indian APIs, increasingly importing from Korea, the U.S., and European producers.
  • Chong Kun Dang, Daewoong Pharm, and Dong-A ST are leveraging API localization and diversified export destinations for new revenue streams.

Factors Contributing to Stock Price Declines

1. Sales Risk for U.S.-Focused Exporters

  • U.S. tariff imposition or strengthening of drug price controls could weaken the price competitiveness of Korean biosimilars, vaccines, and other exports, potentially leading to higher prices in the U.S. market.
  • Export-dependent companies such as Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis are particularly vulnerable to short-term sales declines and stock corrections.

2. Intensifying Local Competition and Rising Dependence on Localization

  • Heightened local production investment by multinational and U.S. pharma companies and tougher competition from local U.S. firms could hinder market entry for certain products.
  • Stricter FDA and clinical standards may raise entry barriers and delay approvals, making market access riskier.

3. Increased Cost of Goods, Logistics, and Reorganization of Export Channels

  • U.S. tariffs can drive up import, customs, and logistics costs, while supply chain realignment may increase expansion expenses for other markets, including Europe and Japan.
  • Fluctuating raw material/labor/FX costs also contribute to investment risk.

4. Patent, Technical, and Regulatory Risks

  • Patent litigation, delays in U.S. drug/biosimilar approvals, and qualification issues for manufacturing facilities may bring unexpected costs and time delays for Korean firms.
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Technical Analysis & Future Trading Value

Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, Hanmi Pharm

  • Strong CMO sector outlook and simultaneous growth in original products and biosimilars produced bullish trends in H1 2024.
  • After short-term overheating, trading volume and buy-side activity is rising around support levels (60–120 day MAs), providing mid-term re-accumulation opportunities.

SK Biopharm, Samsung Bioepis

  • Expanded product pipelines for CNS therapeutics, immunomodulators, and biosimilars are being highly valued in the market.
  • Valuation is somewhat expensive relative to market cap/BPS, and volatility is high depending on global licensing and U.S. FDA approval news.

Daewoong Pharm, Yuhan Corp., Chong Kun Dang

  • Even predominantly domestic players are being recognized for their R&D independence, new drug development, API localization, and export growth.
  • These stocks showed defensive performance during Q1–Q2 downturns, with additional upside if earnings continue to improve.

HLB, Dong-A ST

  • Growth of novel pipelines for oncology and rare diseases, and out-licensing potential, are key stock drivers.
  • Watch for trend extensions and rallies based on MACD, RSI, and 20-day average volume indicators.

Investment Outlook and Considerations

1. Global/Local Production Strategy & FX Risk Management

  • While U.S. tariffs may lead to short-term earnings drops or stock corrections, long-term players can respond through local production expansion, supply chain localization, strategic M&A, and technology internalization.
  • Long-term pipeline strength remains the core selection criterion despite volatility in FX, trade structure, and local regulations.

2. Focus on Performance, R&D, and Approval Momentum

  • Emphasize fundamentals such as quarterly revenue/operating profit, clinical progress, and international pipeline expansion over short-term speculative themes.
  • Collaboration-based open innovation, global R&D hubs, and market/geographic diversification can positively influence future performance.

3. Attention to Policy, Macro Environment, and Global Competition

  • Closely monitor both U.S. (price cuts, export support, etc.) and Korean (biotech promotion, R&D tax credits) policies, as well as competitive moves from U.S., Indian, Chinese, and other global firms.
  • Ongoing scrutiny of market competition, patent disputes, and global regulatory changes is essential.

4. Linking ESG, Regulatory, and Non-financial Factors

  • Heightened standards by authorities (FDA, EMA, etc.), ESG performance, and quality management are all crucial to risk mitigation and upside.
  • Over the medium/long term, reflect clinical governance and crisis management in your portfolio alongside traditional criteria.

Conclusion

U.S. pharmaceutical tariff risks introduce short-term volatility to Korean pharmaceutical and biotech earnings and stock prices. However, over the long term, companies with strong new drug and biosimilar pipelines, local production capabilities, R&D strength, and robust policy/regulatory response may turn this challenge into opportunity.

Amid global uncertainty, diversified investment focusing on companies with technical independence and strong growth pipelines, as well as phased portfolio rebalancing, is vital. Monitor policy, FX, and regulatory trends closely; screen companies based on developmental momentum in new drugs, clinical progress, and overseas expansion with a balanced eye on future value and risk.

If you require additional analysis or portfolio consulting, please feel free to inquire further.

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