Yuhan has published a history compiling its century-long record, marking the 100th anniversary of its founding. The work spans the entrepreneurial spirit of founder Dr. Yoo Il-han, the development of a domestically created cancer drug, and the company's vision for becoming a global pharmaceutical firm.
Yuhan said on the 20th that it has published "The 100-Year History of Yuhan" to commemorate its centennial.
The publication documents the challenges, innovation and social responsibility that have shaped the company since Dr. Yoo Il-han founded it in 1926 on the belief that "only a healthy people can reclaim their sovereignty." It comprises three volumes: a general history, an account of research and development, and a commemorative photo book.
The general history organizes major events into 100 stories across 10 chapters, from "The Birth of Yuhan, a National Enterprise" to "Toward a Global R&D-Driven Pharmaceutical Company." It traces the company's early role in supplying essential medicines to the public, the pharmaceutical industry's first initial public offering, the establishment of professional management, and the return of corporate profits to society, along with changes in governance and ethical management.
The R&D volume devotes three chapters to research achievements and the development of key products, pursued on the basis of Dr. Yoo's founding principle: "Make the best products to serve the nation and our fellow people."
It focuses in particular on the development and performance of lazertinib, a non-small cell lung cancer treatment created through open innovation and sold as Leclaza in Korea and Lazcluze overseas. Lazertinib was the first domestically developed cancer drug to win approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it has since entered Europe and other global markets. The volume also outlines future growth strategies, including next-generation immuno-oncology drugs, treatments for metabolic diseases, and the expansion of a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
The commemorative photo book records major centennial projects with photographs, including a campaign to collect historical materials, the production of commemorative content, the launch of anniversary products, writing and drawing contests, the founding anniversary ceremony, and the opening of Willow House.
Yuhan plans to distribute the volumes to major public and university libraries in Korea to share its history and founding philosophy.
"The 100-Year History of Yuhan is more than a book recording one company's past. It is a history of the development of Korea's pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and a milestone for reflecting on the values of sharing and honesty that Dr. Yoo Il-han left behind," a Yuhan official said. "Building on the trust of the past 100 years, we will create a new century that contributes to human health."