A Century of Trust and Commitment:
A Proud Name in Global Healthcare
Yuhan Corporation

Yuhan Corporation's Philosophical Roots: Serving the Country and Society

This year marks one hundred years of Yuhan Corporation. Looking back, the company has contributed to modernizing Korea's pharmaceutical industry and national independence. Yuhan's founder Dr. Ilhan New embedded a spirit of practical service to country and society into the company's management philosophy through his conviction that "a nation can regain its strength only when its people are healthy." Yuhan's iconic willow emblem, which traces its origins to a carved willow gift from independence activist Dr. Jae-pil Seo, is symbolic of this practical commitment. True to Dr. Seo’s wish that the company should serve the people like a willow tree, by providing relief and hope, the emblem became an integral part of Yuhan’s identity.
From the outset, Yuhan sought to go beyond sales of imported pharmaceuticals. Aiming to localize the production of high-quality medicines and strengthen Korea's healthcare sovereignty, Yuhan established new benchmarks for quality management, guided by an overriding priority: integrity.
This commitment to integrity was later institutionalized through pioneering governance reforms. In 1936, Yuhan introduced Korea's first employee stock ownership program, and in 1969 it transitioned to a professional management system, serving as an exemplary model for strict separation between ownership and management. After Dr. New passed away in 1971, public-interest foundations established in accordance with his will to return his entire fortune to society created a transparent governance structure for returning corporate profits to the public. This helped create a solid foundation of trust, which enabled Yuhan to remain resilient through decades of change.

A Commitment to Integrity: The First Steps Toward Technological Independence

Yuhan's century-long commitment to integrity has been reflected not only in its business practices but also in its marketing philosophy. For example, Yuhan's inaugural newspaper advertisement broke with the common practice during that period of making exaggerated claims and instead, prominently featured the company's willow emblem. To enhance transparency in pharmaceutical distribution, the company also disclosed product ingredients and adopted a fixed-price system. In the 1930s, before launching a tuberculosis treatment, the company organized nationwide public lectures on disease prevention, combining consumer education with public health advocacy. Its message—"A physician is your friend"—encouraged people to seek professional medical advice before taking medication. These examples reflect Yuhan's commitment to public health over short-term commercial gain.
This unwavering focus on public trust naturally evolved into a determination to develop high-quality medicines in Korea. The result was Antiphlamine, Yuhan's first in-house developed medicine, introduced in 1933. Developed under difficult circumstances to alleviate the suffering of fellow Koreans facing disease and poverty, Antiphlamine was more than a household first-aid remedy—it marked an important milestone in Korea's pharmaceutical sovereignty. Today, the product has expanded into multiple formulations while retaining its status as a national brand with a distinct identity. It also laid the foundation for Yuhan's transformation into a global company focused on innovative new drugs.

A Leading Force in the Era of Global New Drugs

The company's decades-long pursuit of technological independence has ultimately culminated in the development of a global blockbuster drug. Through sustained long-term investment—allocating up to 20% of annual revenue to research and development—Yuhan successfully commercialized Leclaza, Korea's 31st domestically developed new drug. As a third-generation EGFR1-targeted therapy for lung cancer, Leclaza demonstrated outstanding clinical efficacy and became the first Korea-born anticancer drug to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Notably, before the drug became eligible for health insurance reimbursement, Yuhan provided it free of charge to lung cancer patients through an Early Access Program (EAP), demonstrating that the founder's commitment to public health continues to guide the company today.
The success of Leclaza represents more than a single product achievement. It has fundamentally transformed Yuhan into a research-driven global biopharmaceutical company. Building on its growing drug development capabilities, the company is now advancing global clinical programs across oncology, immunology, and metabolic diseases. By successfully combining its long-standing commitment to producing high-quality medicines with advanced biotechnology investment, Yuhan continues to strengthen its position as an innovative global pharmaceutical leader.

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Creating a Virtuous Cycle of Shared Prosperity

The profits generated through Yuhan's business operations are returned to society through the Yuhan Foundation and the Yuhan School Foundation, two public-interest organizations established to fulfill the founder's vision. Since its establishment in 1970, the Yuhan Foundation has awarded scholarships to nurture future talent and provided enhanced value to society. Its programs have steadily broadened to include support for university students with North Korean-born backgrounds and the Ilhan New Awards for master's and doctoral candidates. The foundation also contributes to community welfare through disaster relief and a wide range of social welfare initiatives.
The Yuhan School operates Yuhan Technical High School and Yuhan University, cultivating talented professionals with both technical expertise and strong character. Having trained skilled workers since Korea's early industrialization, Yuhan School is now expanding its educational ecosystem through innovation centered on AI and interdisciplinary education. These institutions stand as another embodiment of Yuhan's enduring commitment to returning corporate success to society. The single willow tree planted by its founder has grown over the past century into a broad canopy of trust and shared prosperity. Under its shade, Yuhan Corporation is now extending its branches toward its next hundred years.