IntronBio resumed its upward rally after just one day. The company has been continuing a steep upward trend since announcing that iN-SIS5, a new alternative material to Botox (botulinum neurotoxin), has been registered as an international cosmetic ingredient. Amid the recent surge in stock prices of companies related to obesity treatments, there is growing interest in safe and effective materials for wrinkle improvement, which is considered a 'top topic' in the beauty field.
As of 9:49 AM on the 22nd, IntronBio was trading at 10,360 KRW, up 10.68% from the previous day.
Since the 16th, the stock price has drawn a steep upward curve. After closing lower the previous day, it rose again on this day, increasing the company's value.
iN-SIS5 has completed both the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) registration and the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (ICID) listing. This means it can be safely used internationally as a cosmetic ingredient.
BoNT, well known as Botox, hydrolyzes SNARE proteins that regulate membrane fusion of motor neurons and blocks neurotransmission. It is used for cosmetic or medical purposes such as wrinkle improvement. Since BoNT is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria and is highly toxic, side effects such as facial muscle paralysis can occur. There have been drawbacks including the need for strict process control from the manufacturing stage and significant handling difficulties.
iN-SIS5 offers similar efficacy to existing BoNT but, unlike BoNT, it is not a 'toxin' itself, providing advantages in safety and production efficiency. iN-SIS5 inhibits the formation of the SNARE protein complex, thereby suppressing the secretion of neurotransmitters released at the nerve terminals of muscles.
The characteristics of iN-SIS5 allow it to be applied in various fields. IntronBio is first pursuing industrialization targeting the cosmetics sector. It is collaborating with NodMason, which owns the HUXLEY brand. The ingredient registration was also led by NodMason’s skincare research institute, which conducted related experiments and registration processes with the help of a specialized raw material company.
Jafung Koo, CEO of NodMason, said, "Wrinkle improvement remains the top topic in the beauty field," and added, "For fundamental needs, HUXLEY expects a synergy effect between nature and science by adding the safe and excellent functional iN-SIS5 to the existing natural cactus seed oil through new and bold attempts."
Kang Sanghyun, head of research at IntronBio, said, "iN-SIS5 is a material that can provide various effects such as wrinkle improvement and pore reduction, and especially has characteristics that can overcome the side effects and drawbacks of existing BoNT," adding, "We plan to gradually expand the business into various fields, including applying it in cosmetics and loading it onto microneedles."
Yoon Kyungwon, CEO of IntronBio, introduced, "We have established a strategy to rapidly industrialize technologies and promising materials derived from new drug development through strategic partnerships," and said, "This project was also promoted based on that strategy."
Domestic Botox companies recorded record-breaking overseas performance in the first half of this year. In the first half of this year, Daewoong Pharmaceutical achieved sales of 75.3 billion KRW, Hugel 74.4 billion KRW, and Medytox 44.5 billion KRW from Botox alone. As the global population receiving Botox increases, sales are rising. K-Botox is increasing its market share overseas by emphasizing high quality and reasonable prices. The usage, which was previously limited to 'facial' procedures, is expanding to various treatment areas such as the trapezius muscle and calves.
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