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Daol Investment Securities Raises SK Biopharmaceuticals Price Target on New Drug Acquisition
Health Technology · Biotechnology · yonhap_finance · 2026-08-26
326030
Daol Investment Securities has upgraded its price target for SK Biopharmaceuticals to 160,000 KRW, citing the strategic addition of the epilepsy drug Opakalim.
What Happened
Price Target Upgrade: Daol Investment Securities has raised its target price for SK Biopharmaceuticals from 150,000 KRW to 160,000 KRW, maintaining a 'Buy' rating. The upgrade follows the company's recent acquisition of the epilepsy drug candidate 'Opakalim'.
Competitive Edge of Opakalim: Opakalim is a novel Kv7 channel activator currently in Phase 2/3 clinical trials, with a potential U.S. market launch as early as 2029. It demonstrates superior safety and tolerability compared to existing treatments, with a significantly lower incidence of dizziness.
Synergy with Existing Portfolio: Analysts believe Opakalim will complement the company's flagship drug, Xcopri. While Xcopri targets refractory patients, Opakalim’s favorable safety profile allows it to capture the early-stage treatment market, creating a comprehensive product lineup.
Profitability Outlook: The firm values the new drug candidate at approximately 717.5 billion KRW. By leveraging existing U.S. sales networks and the synergy between the two products, SK Biopharmaceuticals is expected to see improved profitability across its epilepsy franchise.