[Public Notice+] NextBT Acquires TCM Saengmyeong Science... "New Growth Engine in Healthcare"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Health functional food specialist NextBT has become the largest shareholder of TCM biosciences, a diagnostic kit specialist company.

NextBT announced on the 1st that it acquired 726,836 common shares of TCM biosciences. The total acquisition amount is approximately 15.9 billion KRW, and the shareholding ratio after acquisition is 22.25%.

Through this acquisition, NextBT secured new growth engines such as molecular diagnostics and in vitro diagnostic kits in addition to its existing health functional food business. The two companies plan to leverage their global distribution networks and technological capabilities to create synergy in the healthcare business and enhance corporate competitiveness.

TCM biosciences is a biomedical specialist company that developed COVID-19 diagnostic kits (TCM-Q Corona Ⅲ) and self-diagnostic kits for female diseases (GainPad). Amid the recent pandemic of COVID-19, interest in domestic medical companies has increased, and inquiries from major countries such as the United States and Europe regarding TCM biosciences’ COVID-19 diagnostic kits are also rapidly increasing.

In addition to strengthening corporate competitiveness, the governance structure of Bioliders Group, the largest shareholder of NextBT, has changed from indirect control by Chairman Park Youngcheol through TCM biosciences to a direct governance structure centered on Bioliders. This governance change is expected to improve management efficiency and maximize profitability. Chairman Park plans to further increase Bioliders’ shares to strengthen control over the group.

A company official stated, “Along with the health functional food business, whose market size is continuously growing, the explosive growth of the diagnostic kit business will highlight the company’s growth potential. We will strive to enhance corporate value by securing mid- to long-term growth engines and ensure that positive effects are reflected in performance.”