[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] SK Bioscience announced on the 24th that it recorded an operating loss of ₩39.6 billion in the third quarter of this year, a sharp turnaround from the operating profit of ₩60.9 billion in the same period last year. The company's sales dropped 73.4% year-on-year to ₩61.6 billion, and it posted a net loss of ₩22.3 billion.

The company attributed the losses to increased costs stemming from its investments in research and development (R&D) and the expansion of production infrastructure. SK Bioscience made three major global acquisitions this year, including acquiring management control of Germany's IDT Biologika in a deal worth ₩260 billion, as well as securing stakes in U.S. biotech firms Sunflower and FinaBioSolutions.

Additionally, the company is investing ₩325.7 billion to build a global R&PD center in Songdo, Incheon, and is expanding its vaccine production facility, Andong L House, both of which have contributed to the rise in expenses.

SK Bioscience also explained that the conclusion of its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing contract with U.S.-based Novavax led to the disappearance of one-off settlement effects that had positively impacted last year's results, resulting in decreased sales this year.

 

 

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