SK biopharmaceuticals reports 188.1 percent rise in second-quarter net income

SK biopharmaceuticals said that second-quarter net income rose 188.1 percent to 85.1 billion won ($59.6 million) from 29.5 billion won ($20.7 million) a year earlier.

Revenue climbed 40.3 percent to 247 billion won ($173 million), while operating profit increased 56.9 percent to 97.1 billion won ($68 million).

The company said rapid growth in Xcopri sales drove the operating-profit increase despite a decline in first-quarter one-off income and higher selling and administrative expenses.

Cenobamate, the company's main epilepsy treatment, is sold in the United States as Xcopri. Monthly prescriptions rose to 49,155 in June.

The company began a direct-to-consumer advertising campaign for Xcopri at the end of June. It said the campaign would strengthen awareness and market leadership in the second half.

SK biopharmaceuticals has retained its goal of filing additional new drug applications for cenobamate within the year, covering a primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure indication and pediatric use. It also plans to seek approval for an oral suspension formulation for adults and extend the treatment age range in stages to pediatric and adolescent patient groups.

“The oral suspension formulation of cenobamate reflects the treatment circumstances of patients who have difficulty taking tablets, and we will continue to expand treatment options from a patient-centered perspective, address unmet medical needs across diverse patient groups and broaden the prescription base,” Lee Dong-hoon, president of SK biopharmaceuticals, said.