SK Chemical Ginkgo Leaf Extract
Blood Circulation and Cognitive Function Enhancer
Actively Engaged in Dementia Prevention Activities
SK Chemicals employees are holding an internal promotional event to celebrate Gineksin's cumulative sales surpassing 500 billion KRW.
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] SK Chemicals' ginkgo leaf extract blood circulation and cognitive function enhancer 'Gineksin' has surpassed cumulative sales of 500 billion KRW 30 years after its launch.
SK Chemicals announced on the 5th that as of last month, Gineksin's cumulative sales reached 500.6 billion KRW. It has been 30 years since its first release in 1992. Gineksin is the first domestically developed natural medicine for blood circulation improvement to exceed cumulative sales of 500 billion KRW in Korea.
Gineksin provides three major vascular protective effects through the 'ginkgo flavon glycoside' component found in ginkgo leaves: ▲reduction of blood viscosity ▲vasodilation ▲strengthening of vascular elasticity. In March 1988, Seonkyung Industry (now SK Chemicals) Life Science Research Institute developed and patented the production and manufacturing method of high-quality, high-purity ginkgo leaf extract derived from domestic ginkgo leaves, and launched the product in 1992.
According to the pharmaceutical market research firm Ubist, Gineksin has maintained the number one domestic market share in the ginkgo leaf blood circulation improvement segment since 2002 until last year. As of last year, it holds a 38% market share.
In addition to improving blood circulation, high-dose intake has been proven to improve memory decline and concentration reduction, leading to the launch of a high-dose 240 mg Gineksin in March last year.
Gineksin has also left various records over 30 years. In 1991, before its domestic release, it was the first domestically produced blood circulation improvement medicine exported to three countries: the United States, Germany, and Argentina. It was also the first time in domestic pharmaceutical history that a domestic medicine was exported before being sold domestically. Furthermore, in 1992, the year it was launched domestically, it became the first domestic medicine to surpass 10 billion KRW in domestic sales.
SK Chemicals is also actively engaged in dementia prevention activities inspired by Gineksin's cognitive function improvement effects. Since opening its official KakaoTalk account in May, it has been providing various content to remind users of the importance of memory. It offers services such as videos featuring people in their 30s to 70s reminiscing about their precious memories and memory tests that allow users to check their cognitive function.
They are also conducting social contribution activities for high-risk dementia groups. SK Chemicals has distributed the AI-based cognitive improvement program 'Sound Mind' to 62 elderly day and night care centers in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, and Cheongju City, Chungbuk Province, where SK Chemicals' business sites are located. They plan to expand distribution to 74 locations including Andong City, Gyeongbuk Province, and Ulsan by the end of the year.
Sound Mind is a cognitive and language training program developed by the social venture Idware. It is an application service that uses voice recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help prevent dementia or delay symptoms in high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Results show positive changes, such as a two-level increase in the difficulty of training content, after elderly users at the centers who are at high risk of dementia or require cognitive training used the program more than three times a week.
Jeon Gwang-hyun, President of SK Chemicals, said, "Gineksin has consistently contributed to public health over the past 30 years by improving cognitive function and blood circulation. We will continue to strive to solve social issues such as dementia not only through health promotion with our products but also through ESG (environmental, social, and governance) activities."
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