1. What Happened?: Disappointing H1 2025 Results

Biosolution reported KRW 3.1 billion in revenue, KRW -1.3 billion in operating profit, and KRW -0.9 billion in net profit for the first half of 2025, marking a shift into the red. Revenue decreased by 4.8% year-over-year, missing market estimates.

2. Why?: Increased Cost of Goods Sold and R&D Expenses

Despite growth in the cell therapy segment, declining sales in the cosmetic materials segment impacted overall performance. Increased cost of goods sold, higher selling, general, and administrative expenses, and substantial R&D expenses (KRW 3.9 billion), representing 62.26% of revenue, contributed to the decline in profitability.

3. So What?: Analyzing the Positives and Negatives

  • Positives:
    • CartiLife’s domestic product change approval and US FDA RMAT designation
    • Growth in the human tissue model business and expansion of the animal testing alternatives market
    • Continued investment in R&D
  • Negatives:
    • Decline in sales and shift to operating/net loss
    • Short-term profitability impacted by high R&D expenses
    • Rising debt-to-equity ratio and foreign exchange volatility

4. Investor Action Plan: Cautious Investment with a Long-Term Perspective

Biosolution possesses long-term growth potential based on its technological prowess in cell therapy and human tissue models. However, improving short-term profitability and securing financial soundness are crucial challenges. Investors should carefully weigh the long-term growth prospects against the short-term financial risks when making investment decisions.