Immunology-focused drug developer Shaperon said on June 25 that it is stepping up collaboration with biobeauty company NeedsTech, which it is in the process of acquiring, to accelerate global expansion.
Through the acquisition, Shaperon aims to complement its drug discovery-focused business with a biobeauty business capable of generating recurring revenue. NeedsTech has rapidly expanded its online and offline distribution network in South Korea with beauty devices and skincare products and is regarded as a fast-growing beauty company with strengths in product planning, brand management, and commerce-driven sales.
NeedsTech has expanded rapidly in the domestic market through major distribution channels, including corporate welfare malls, Electroland, Lotte Department Store’s Beauty Ground, Olive Young, and Kakao Gift. The company has broadened its revenue base with its skincare brand Vude and healthcare brand Hugrap and currently generates annual revenue of about 20 billion won.
NeedsTech officially launched its Hong Kong subsidiary earlier this year to expand overseas. Since its establishment, the unit has generated cumulative sales of approximately 1 billion won, which the company views as an encouraging first step into the Greater China market.
Building on its initial sales and distribution experience in Hong Kong, the two companies are preparing to establish a subsidiary in Taiwan. Taiwan is considered an attractive market due to strong consumer demand for K-beauty and growing interest in premium skincare products. Shaperon plans to diversify its sales channels across Greater China and expand local partnerships through the Taiwan operation.
The company is also accelerating its U.S. expansion. Shaperon is establishing a U.S. sales subsidiary through its U.S. affiliate, Hudson Therapeutics, while also preparing to launch products on Amazon’s global e-commerce platform. The company plans to use the United States as its gateway to the North American market and eventually as a base for expansion into Latin America.
Shaperon intends to combine NeedsTech’s expertise in product development, distribution, and marketing with its own anti-inflammatory and anti-aging biotechnology to develop differentiated biobeauty products. The company aims to go beyond conventional cosmetics by introducing science-backed premium products that combine K-beauty competitiveness with proprietary biotechnology.
In particular, Shaperon believes its expertise in inflammation regulation and aging research, developed through its drug discovery programs, can be applied to functional cosmetics and healthcare products. The company expects this to strengthen NeedsTech’s technological differentiation and enhance brand credibility in global markets.
The company is targeting more than 20 billion won in domestic sales this year and over 5 billion won in overseas sales during the second half alone. It expects expansion into Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States to accelerate NeedsTech’s revenue growth while improving Shaperon’s consolidated financial performance.
“NeedsTech has already demonstrated its product competitiveness and distribution capabilities in the domestic market,” a Shaperon official said. “Combined with Shaperon’s biotechnology, we believe it has significant growth potential in the global biobeauty market. Following the initial sales success in Hong Kong, we will accelerate our expansion into Taiwan and the United States.”
The official added, “By leveraging our U.S. subsidiary, Hudson Therapeutics, we will establish a foothold in North America while building a global distribution network that can eventually expand into Latin America. Through the virtuous cycle created by combining drug research and development with our biobeauty business, we aim to strengthen stable cash generation and enhance corporate value.”
Shaperon is currently pursuing the acquisition of NeedsTech. The company has said it intends to strengthen its financial stability by leveraging NeedsTech’s stable revenue base while integrating its proprietary anti-inflammatory and anti-aging technologies into beauty products to establish a new growth model that combines biotechnology and beauty.
Founded as an immunomodulation platform biotechnology company, Shaperon’s pipeline includes the atopic dermatitis candidate NuGel, Alzheimer’s disease candidate NuCerin, pulmonary fibrosis candidate NuPulcin, COVID-19 treatment candidate NuSepin, alopecia areata candidate NuAretin, obesity candidate NuBeshin, and immuno-oncology candidate NuPilimab.