Promising New Weight-Loss Pill From South Korea’s Sam Chun Dang Pharm Mints Country’s Newest Billionaire

ByJohn Kang,

Forbes Staff.

I

nvestor optimism about the pill version of weight-loss injectables being developed by Sam Chun Dang Pharm (SCD) in South Korea has fueled a rally in its shares, which are up by more than 75% so far this month. The stock surge has propelled Yoon Dae-in, the company’s chairman, into the billionaire ranks.

Yoon, who turns 76 in March, directly and indirectly owns 34% of the company’s shares. He also has a small stake in OPTUS Pharmaceutical, the eye-drop manufacturing arm of SCD. Forbes estimates Yoon’s net worth at $2.1 billion.