# South Korean ophthalmic pharmaceutical developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-ophthalmic-pharmaceutical-developments
> Updated: 2026-10-07T23:48:49.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The South Korean pharmaceutical sector has seen developments in ophthalmic treatments, including the approval of new domestic drugs and the expansion of market share for existing treatments.

In September 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved Latica Eye Drops 5% for GL Pharmtech and Aju Pharmaceutical. This marks South Korea’s 44th domestically developed new drug and is the first domestic treatment specifically for dry eye syndrome. The drug, which uses Recoflavone hydrate to promote mucus secretion, was developed following a nine-year process involving technology acquisition and clinical trials.

Concurrently, Samchandang Pharm reported significant growth for its glaucoma treatment, Latazt. By August 2026, the product reached an 11% market share in the South Korean preservative-free single-use latanoprost market, up from 3.1% in March 2025. This growth aligns with a broader market shift toward single-use formulations in the region.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Samchandang Pharm's Latazt exceeds 11% market share in Korea

Samchandang Pharm's glaucoma treatment, Latazt, has reached an 11% share of the South Korean preservative-free single-use latanoprost market.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samchandang-pharms-latazt-exceeds-11-market-share-in-korea

### 2026-09-08: GL Pharmtech and Aju Pharmaceutical receive approval for new dry eye drug

GL Pharmtech and Aju Pharmaceutical have secured approval for Latica Eye Drops 5%, South Korea’s 44th domestically developed new drug and its first specifically for dry eye syndrome.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gl-pharmtech-and-aju-pharmaceutical-receive-approval-for-new-dry-eye-drug

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Cite as: South Korean ophthalmic pharmaceutical developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-ophthalmic-pharmaceutical-developments
