Trump's announcement has sent ripples through South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector, where leading firms such as Celltrion and SK Biopharmaceuticals have established strong footholds in the U.S. market through various distribution channels.
Celltrion sought to reassure shareholders, stating that it has already implemented preemptive measures to minimize the potential impact of tariffs in 2025.
“As of the end of January, we have transferred approximately nine months’ worth of inventory for our products scheduled for U.S. sale in 2025,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
In anticipation of regulatory shifts, Celltrion is pivoting toward exporting drug substances rather than finished products, as raw materials are expected to be subjected to lower tariff rates.
The company also confirmed it is evaluating the possibility of securing U.S.-based production facilities for manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients if necessary.
SK Biopharmaceuticals, which exports its epilepsy treatment through a Canadian contract manufacturer, said that it is considering alternative production arrangements, including the possibility of transferring production to U.S.-based facilities, as Canada could also be subjected to tariffs under Trump’s administration.
Other major industry players, including Samsung Biologics, Samsung Bioepis, and Yuhan Corp., are closely monitoring the situation as they assess the potential ramifications for their U.S. operations.
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