Chong Kun Dang
A South Korean pharmaceutical company founded in 1941, known for domestic drug manufacturing, branded prescription medicines, and research into new medicines and biologics.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Chong Kun Dang is a South Korean pharmaceutical company whose origins trace to a small pharmacy opened by Chong-kun Lee, known by his pen name Kochon, in Seoul in 1941. That business, initially called Gungbon Pharmacy, became the foundation for a company that grew from pharmacy and medicine sales into drug manufacturing, research, and international business. The company’s history is closely tied to the development of South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly efforts to build domestic capacity for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished medicines when the country depended heavily on imported supplies. After Gungbon Pharmacy was closed under colonial-era business restrictions, Lee reopened as Chong Kun Dang Pharmacy in 1946. The business subsequently expanded into research and production. In 1949, the company established an early research laboratory and developed a tube-packaged medicinal ointment. It continued operating through the Korean War and was incorporated as a pharmaceutical company in 1956. During the following decades, Chong Kun Dang invested in chemical synthesis, fermentation, and research facilities. Its production of chloramphenicol and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 1968 approval for the medicine marked an important export milestone for the company and, by its account, for Korean pharmaceutical manufacturing. It later exported pharmaceutical products and ingredients to overseas markets. The company’s business developed across prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, consumer-health products, and pharmaceutical research. Its prescription portfolio has included therapies in areas such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and transplantation or immune suppression. Branded products associated with the company include the anticancer medicine Camtobell, the type 2 diabetes medicine Duvie, the immunosuppressant Tacrobell, and over-the-counter products such as Penzal. Some products are based on the company’s own research, while its broader portfolio also includes licensed, partnered, and established medicines. Its research programs cover small-molecule drugs and biologics, including biosimilars and candidates in oncology, metabolic disease, and other therapeutic areas. Pipeline programs and their development stages can change over time; company disclosures identify CKD-510 as licensed to Novartis and describe further biologic and biosimilar research. The corporate structure changed in 2013, when the former Chong Kun Dang company was divided into a holding company, Chong Kun Dang Holdings, and a separately incorporated pharmaceutical operating company, Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical. The pharmaceutical company was listed separately on the Korea Exchange. Chong Kun Dang Holdings remains its parent within the wider Chong Kun Dang group. The company’s registered head office is on Chungjeong-ro in Seoul. Its international business has included exports and partnerships, including an Indonesian joint venture established with local pharmaceutical partner PT Otto Pharmaceutical. Chong Kun Dang has also faced regulatory scrutiny. In 2021, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety imposed manufacturing and sales restrictions on several of its medicines after finding that the company had changed certain pharmaceutical additives without the required approval and had not properly documented the changes. The episode is a notable compliance and reputational issue in the company’s modern history. In later years, the company continued to pursue research partnerships and international ambitions. It announced a new corporate identity in 2025, its first major identity change in more than five decades, presenting the update as part of a global-growth strategy. The company remains active, with its core identity rooted in pharmaceutical manufacturing, branded medicines, and drug development.
History
Chong Kun Dang’s official company profile dates its establishment to May 7, 1941. The company describes its history as part of the development of Korea’s pharmaceutical industry and says its purpose is to develop quality medicines, protect human health, and contribute to a welfare society. Its current business is centered on manufacturing and selling medicines, supported by research and development. The company’s product history includes both prescription medicines and familiar consumer products. Its official profile identifies Penzal as a long-standing pain-relief product, alongside Zelcom, a deworming medicine, and Sokcheong, a digestive product. Prescription offerings named in the profile include the anticancer drug Camtobell and the diabetes treatment Duvie, as well as products for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and immune suppression. The company also describes a portfolio of functional health foods, including probiotics and omega-3 products. A documented turning point in Penzal’s brand history came in 2008. Following controversy about isopropylantipyrine, Chong Kun Dang says it conducted a full, free recall and renewed the brand, replacing that ingredient in the Penzal Q line with ethenzamide. The relaunch also introduced art-inspired packaging featuring works by Gustav Klimt. The company’s Penzal history lists later sponsorships of art exhibitions and campaigns, as well as the 2014 release of the extended-release Penzal ER tablet and a campaign beginning in 2018. Chong Kun Dang has also described international expansion as part of its business development. Its official company profile says it established a representative office in Vietnam in December 2012. In September 2015, it formed a joint venture, CKD-OTTO PHARMA, with Indonesian pharmaceutical company OTTO. The company reports that its Indonesian oncology plant was completed in 2018, received Indonesian GMP approval, and obtained halal certification. Chong Kun Dang says the plant was intended to supply anticancer medicines locally and support expansion into regional markets. The corporate profile records a division date of November 5, 2013, while the group website identifies Chong Kun Dang as the group’s pharmaceutical business and Chong Kun Dang Holdings as the holding company. The group’s wider portfolio includes biopharmaceuticals, chemical products, health foods, property, construction, and service businesses. The available official sources describe a continuing pharmaceutical company with domestic manufacturing and sales, exports, overseas operations, and ongoing investment in innovative medicines.
- 2025
New corporate identity introduced
[8]The company refreshes its visual identity at its 84th anniversary event and presents the move as part of its global-growth ambitions.
- 2023
CKD-510 licensed to Novartis
[11]Chong Kun Dang licenses out its CKD-510 research program to Novartis.
- 2021
Regulatory action over medicine manufacturing changes
[7]South Korea’s drug regulator imposes restrictions and recall measures concerning nine medicines after unauthorized additive changes and deficient records.
- 2015
Indonesian joint venture established
[1]The company establishes PT CKD Otto Pharmaceuticals with Indonesian partner PT Otto Pharmaceutical.
- 2014
Duvie launched
[10]Chong Kun Dang launches Duvie, its lobeglitazone-based medicine for type 2 diabetes.
- 2013
Pharmaceutical business separated from the holding company
[6]The pharmaceutical operation is separated from Chong Kun Dang Holdings and becomes a separately listed company.
- 2004
Camtobell launched
[10]The company introduces Camtobell, an internally developed anticancer medicine.
- 1972
Central research laboratories established
[4]The company expands its formal research infrastructure with central laboratories.
- 1969
Company name changed to Chong Kun Dang
[9]The corporate name is changed to Chong Kun Dang, accompanying further development of pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports.
- 1968
Chloramphenicol receives U.S. FDA approval
[1]The company’s chloramphenicol becomes an early Korean-made medicine to receive U.S. FDA approval, supporting the company’s export ambitions.
Products and positioning
A research-led Korean pharmaceutical manufacturer presenting its mission as improving quality of life through medicine. Its business combines established prescription and OTC brands with internally developed medicines, biosimilars, and partnered drug-development programs.
Prescription oncology medicine · 2004
Camtobell
Camtobell is Chong Kun Dang’s branded anticancer medicine based on belotecan. The company describes it as an internally developed drug. Its injectable formulation is indicated for certain cancers, including small-cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. The product represents the company’s work in developing and commercializing proprietary prescription medicines.
Prescription diabetes medicine · 2014
Duvie
Duvie is a lobeglitazone-based prescription medicine for type 2 diabetes. Chong Kun Dang presents it as an internally developed medicine and describes its mechanism as improving insulin resistance. The company later developed combination products intended to offer additional dosing options and support treatment convenience.
Prescription immunosuppressant
Tacrobell
Tacrobell is Chong Kun Dang’s branded tacrolimus medicine. The company’s product information lists uses that include preventing rejection after kidney or liver transplantation and other specified immune-mediated conditions. Because tacrolimus requires careful clinical use and monitoring, treatment decisions and dosing are managed by healthcare professionals.
Over-the-counter medicine
Penzal
Penzal is one of Chong Kun Dang’s established consumer-facing over-the-counter medicine brands. The company identifies it among its OTC products alongside other non-prescription medicines. Product formulations and approved uses may vary by market and product version.
Biosimilar medicine
Nespevel
Nespevel is associated with Chong Kun Dang’s development and commercialization of a biosimilar to darbepoetin alfa, used in the treatment of anemia. Company and industry materials identify it as a biosimilar product marketed in South Korea and Japan.
Ophthalmology biosimilar · 2023
Lucenbiez
Lucenbiez is Chong Kun Dang’s biosimilar to ranibizumab, a medicine used in ophthalmology. The company identifies it among its commercial products following Korean approval and subsequent launch. The product extends the company’s biologics-related business beyond its established small-molecule portfolio.
Prescription botanical medicine · 2022
Jitec
Jitec is a botanical medicine developed for gastritis. Chong Kun Dang’s public research and product materials identify the program as a domestic new medicine approved in 2022. It represents the company’s continued use of natural-product research alongside conventional chemical and biologic drug development.
Prescription cardiovascular medicine
Dilatrend
Dilatrend is a branded cardiovascular medicine in Chong Kun Dang’s prescription portfolio. It is one of the established products identified in company and industry descriptions of the company’s domestic medicines business.
Controversies
2021
Regulatory action over unauthorized additive changes
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety imposed restrictions affecting nine medicines after finding that pharmaceutical additives had been changed without required approval and manufacturing records had not properly documented the changes. The regulator ordered recall measures for affected medicines already on the market, while some immediate measures were handled differently in consideration of patient needs.
Brand decisions
2025
Refresh the corporate identityStrategyBackground
The company presented a visual identity renewal as a way to express a modernized, internationally oriented corporate ambition.
Action taken
Chong Kun Dang unveiled an updated corporate identity at its 84th anniversary event and began applying it to corporate materials and product packaging.
Aftermath
The company framed the redesign as part of its aim to become a global pharmaceutical company.
2023
License CKD-510 to NovartisM&ABackground
Chong Kun Dang developed CKD-510, an HDAC6 inhibitor research program, and sought external development and commercialization capabilities.
Action taken
The company entered a licensing arrangement with Novartis for CKD-510.
Aftermath
Chong Kun Dang’s research page identifies the program as licensed out; further development remains subject to the licensee’s research and clinical decisions.
2013
Separate the pharmaceutical business from Chong Kun Dang HoldingsStrategyBackground
The group reorganized its investment and pharmaceutical activities into distinct entities.
Action taken
The pharmaceutical operation was spun off as a separate company, while Chong Kun Dang Holdings continued as the holding company.
Aftermath
The operating pharmaceutical company became separately listed on the Korea Exchange.
Recent events
- 2025
Chong Kun Dang announces a strategic investment and research partnership with AbClon[12]
M&A · Other
The companies announced an equity investment and development collaboration covering potential cell and antibody therapies. The arrangement was presented as a way to expand Chong Kun Dang’s biologics portfolio and support development and commercialization collaboration.
- 2025
Chong Kun Dang unveils a new corporate identity[8]
Other
At its 84th anniversary event, Chong Kun Dang introduced a refreshed corporate identity after more than 50 years, positioning the update as part of its ambition to develop into a global pharmaceutical company.
- 2023
Chong Kun Dang licenses CKD-510 to Novartis[11]
M&A · Other
Chong Kun Dang disclosed an out-licensing arrangement for CKD-510, an HDAC6 inhibitor, to Novartis. The company lists the program as licensed out and describes its development area as cardiovascular disease.
Sources12 sources
- 1Chong Kun Dang company overviewckdpharm.com
- 2Chong Kun Dang executive messageckdpharm.com
- 3Chong Kun Dang research pipelineckdpharm.com
- 4Kochon Hall chronology of Chong Kun Dangkochonhall.or.kr
- 5Chong Kun Dang Holdings affiliate profileckd-holdings.com
- 6Korea Exchange filing describing the 2013 corporate separationkind.krx.co.kr
- 7Report on 2021 regulatory restrictions affecting Chong Kun Dang medicineskoreajoongangdaily.joins.com
- 8Report on Chong Kun Dang’s 2025 corporate identity renewalview.asiae.co.kr
- 9Company name changed to Chong Kun Dangckdbio.com
- 10Camtobell launchedckdpharm.com
- 11CKD-510 licensed to Novartism.ckdpharm.com
- 12Chong Kun Dang announces a strategic investment and research partnership with AbClonbiz.chosun.com
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