APR Achieves First Success with Skin Booster...Opens Door to Overseas Exports

Skin Booster Exports Begin in Q2
Full-scale Entry into Japan and Middle East from Q3
EBD Launch Expected by Year-End

APR, which has grown through cosmetics and beauty devices, has achieved its first results in its medical aesthetics business, a new growth engine for the company. After the company's skin booster received medical device certification and export approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), overseas exports began in the second quarter of this year. The fact that APR's medical aesthetics business, which until now had only been at the R&D and approval stages, has entered the revenue-generating phase suggests it will emerge as a new source of profit. As early as the end of this year, the company also plans to launch an energy-based medical device (EBD), further accelerating the expansion of its medical aesthetics business.

According to the industry on August 7, APR recently completed MFDS Class 2 medical device certification and export approval for its PN-based skin booster product, and small-scale shipments to the Southeast Asian market have begun in the second quarter. PN is a substance extracted from salmon DNA and is a representative ingredient for skin boosters as it is used for regenerating damaged skin tissue and promoting collagen production. Rejuran, a leading brand of skin booster, is also based on this ingredient. As global demand for skin regeneration increases, related product categories in the global medical aesthetics market are experiencing rapid growth.

APR has been conducting R&D and approval procedures until now. Exports are still at an early stage, but the company plans to ramp up overseas sales in the second half of the year. APR announced that, starting from the third quarter, sales will be expanded in major markets such as Japan and the Middle East. A company representative explained, "We started overseas exports in the second quarter, and although there has been some revenue, the sales volume is still too small to disclose as a separate category."

Skin boosters are medical aesthetic products designed to be directly injected into the dermis layer of the skin, helping with skin regeneration and improving elasticity. Unlike regular cosmetics, these products are administered in clinical settings, and demand for medical beauty solutions is quickly expanding in line with the growth of both domestic and international aesthetic markets.

APR is also preparing to enter the domestic market. Currently, the company is targeting overseas markets first, utilizing the MFDS Class 2 medical device certification, while domestically it is pursuing the higher-level Class 4 medical device approval. An APR representative stated, "For the Korean market, obtaining Class 4 approval from the MFDS requires more stringent clinical procedures, so we estimate that it will take an additional one and a half to two years before launch."

Another new business, EBD (energy-based device) medical equipment, is also on the verge of commercialization. EBD devices refer to medical equipment that utilizes energy sources such as lasers, radiofrequency, or ultrasound to improve skin elasticity, promote lifting, and reduce wrinkles. These are representative devices used primarily in dermatology and plastic surgery clinics.

APR’s EBD medical device recently completed domestic regulatory approval and is expected to launch as early as the end of this year, or at the latest, early next year. The company aims to expand its business portfolio into the medical device market, leveraging the technological expertise and global distribution network it has accumulated through existing products such as the Medicube AGE-R beauty device.

An APR representative commented, "One of our EBD devices has recently completed domestic regulatory procedures, and we are preparing for sales from as early as the end of the year or early next year," adding, "We are currently evaluating product performance and collecting feedback through our medical expert network."

The industry believes that if APR’s medical aesthetics business gains momentum following its initial skin booster exports, market expectations for the company will rise further. An industry official stated, "Given APR’s previous strong growth with just cosmetics and home beauty devices, the company’s growth potential and profitability will be re-evaluated as the medical aesthetics business begins to meaningfully contribute to its earnings," adding, "The launch of the EBD at year-end is likely to mark a turning point for the company’s corporate value."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.