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- 2025-12-21 05:14:25
- Policy
- MSD discontinues supply of Zostavax in Korea
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 30, 2024 05:50am
- MSD Korea has announced that it will discontinue the domestic supply of the shingles vaccine Zostavax in Korea. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, MSD reported the suspension of Zostavax to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Monday. The last batch is expected to be delivered within September, but the supply period is subject to change depending on market demand. Zostavax is a shingles vaccine that was launched in 2013. It was the first live attenuated vaccine available in South Korea. According to the market research institution IQIVA, Zostavax generated KRW 22.4 billion in sales last year, which is half the KRW 55.9 billion it had posted in 2019. "The introduction of alternative shingles vaccines to Zostavax in 2017 has significantly reduced global clinical demand for Zostavax," explained MSD said in a statement. "We have decided to voluntarily discontinue the manufacture and supply of Zostavax in the global market in 2024." The company added that this decision has nothing to do with the quality or safety of the product and that the decision is based on a careful evaluation of the declining clinical demand for Zostavax due to changing market conditions and the availability of alternative vaccines. Alternatives to Zostavax include SK Bioscience's ‘SKYZoster’ and GSK's ‘Shingrix.’ "In the case of Zostavax, there are alternative shingles vaccines already available on the market," said MSD, adding, "We believe the market impact of this discontinuation will be minimal, so we are not taking any measures to facilitate supply." The last batch is planned for September 2024. "The supply period may vary depending on market demand," MSD said. "We will continue to ensure smooth supply and management of the last batch of Zostavax in Korea and any remaining product in the market, while diligently informing health authorities, relevant organizations, and healthcare providers about this decision and the processes that will follow to minimize disruption in the healthcare setting."
- Policy
- Antengene starts Xpovio's reimb pricing negotiations in KOR
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 29, 2024 05:45am
- The Chinese pharmaceutical company Antengene has started pricing negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service for its multiple myeloma drug ‘Xpovio Tab (Selinexor),’ bringing near its reimbursement listing in Korea. Xpovio was approved in July 2021 as a treatment for blood cancer. At the time of its approval, it became the first new drug developed by a Chinese pharmaceutical company to be approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. However, it has faced many challenges during the health insurance reimbursement review after its approval. According to industry sources on the 28th, Antengene recently started drug pricing negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service for its Xpovio Tab. The drug was deemed adequate for reimbursement only for the multiple myeloma indication after HIRA’s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) review on the 2nd of this month. The drug has passed DREC review at its second attempt. Xpovio received domestic approval in August 2021. It is indicated ▲ for use in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least 4 prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least 2 proteasome inhibitors (PI), at least two immunomodulatory medicinal products (IMiD), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (mAb); and ▲ as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL) who have received at least two prior lines of treatment. Of these, only the multiple myeloma indication was approved as adequate for reimbursement. In June last year, the Cancer Disease Review Committee also set reimbursement standards only for the multiple myeloma indication. At the time, the drug's reimbursement application was rejected by DREC in November of the same year. Antengene Korea, which imports and sells the drug, started preparations again with grit and submitted an application again in February, and succeeded in being recognized as adequate for reimbursement in May, but just for the multiple myeloma indication. Before the DREC review, the Korea Multiple Myeloma Patient Group had issued a statement urging the Korean government to reimburse Xpovio Tab, due to lack of other alternative treatments. In its request, KMPG stressed how the drug is covered in all A8 countries that are used as a reference for new drug registration in Korea. At the time Xpovio was approved in Korea, the drug was not listed in any of the A8 countries. However, starting with Canada in 2022, it is now reportedly listed in all A8 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Japan. If the company and HIRA reach an agreement during the drug pricing negotiations, it will be reimbursable in Korea. If so, it will become the second reimbursed drug developed by a Chinese pharmaceutical company after Brukinsa. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if it will successfully pass the final stage of negotiations with the MFDS and be reimbursed as requested by patients.
- Policy
- Only 15 of the 61 Trajenta generics will be released in KOR
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 29, 2024 05:45am
- Despite the expiry of the substance patent of the DPP-4 inhibitor diabetes drug Trajenta (linagliptin) set for the 8th of next month, most of its generic versions will not be launched at that time. Only products with the first generic exclusivity will be released, and the rest will only be allowed sale in March next year after the sales ban period is lifted. According to industry sources on June 28, a total of 15 generic versions of Trajenta will be listed with reimbursement on June 9. On the day, the following pharmaceutical companies will be launching generic versions of Tragenta: Korea Arlico Pharm, Hutecs Korea Pharmaceutical, Alvogen Korea, Aju Pharmaceutical, Boryung Pharmaceutical, Hanlim Pharma, Dongwha Pharmaceutical, Ildong Pharmaceutical, Hana Pharm, Kukje Pharm, KyungDong Pharm, Shinil Pharm, Huons, Daewon Pharm, and DonKoo Bio&Pharma will release generic versions of Trajenta monotherapy. The absence of large generic companies in the monotherapy market is notable. This is in contrast to the 29 companies releasing the linagliptin 5mg + metformin hydrochloride 1g combination drug. The reason why only 15 companies, mainly small and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies, are launching Trajenta generic monotherapy is due to the first generic exclusivity. The 15 companies received the right to first generic exclusivity in February 2019. They were able to avoid Trajenta’s crystalline patent and secure the right to market the drug first upon their approval. The companies will have exclusive rights to market the drug until March 8, 2025. This means that before March 8, 2025, the sale of drugs that are identical to the products that have obtained first generic exclusivity is prohibited. 42 generic drugs have been approved, excluding 19 that have obtained first generic exclusivity. These can only be launched after March 8th of next year. Their launch date has been delayed by 9 months due to the failure to obtain the first generic exclusivity rights. As it is important for generic products to preoccupy the market, the products that failed to obtain first generic exclusivity are now put in a much more disadvantageous position as they would have to enter the market 9 months later than the competitors. In response, 4 companies, including Mother's Pharmaceutical, received approval for salt-modified versions to bypass the first generic exclusivity. Since salt-modified products are not identical to the original drug, they can be released regardless of the first generic exclusivity rights. They will also receive a drug pricing premium, and be priced at KRW 675 per unit, making them the highest-priced among follow-on Trajenta monotherapies.
- Policy
- New dementia drug Leqembi receives approval
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 27, 2024 05:48am
- The new drug ‘Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb),’ which reduces the rate of disease progression and slows cognitive decline from Alzheimer's disease, has received marketing authorization in Korea. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced on Thursday that it has approved Eisai Korea’s Leqembi, a new drug for Alzheimer's disease. Leqembi was approved as a treatment to slow the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.’ The drug has been proven to reduce the rate of disease progression and slow cognitive decline by selectively binding to amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregates, which are a known cause of Alzheimer's disease. However, its efficacy and safety in patients whose condition has progressed to moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease have not been confirmed. The MFDS shared the results of the safety and efficacy review with the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service prior to Leqembi’s approval to help shorten the reimbursement review period to enable quicker access to the Alzheimer's disease treatment. Under the approval and reimbursement linkage system, Leqembi’s reimbursement review is expected to start upon its approval. Following the U.S. (July 2023), Japan (September 2023), and China (January 2024), Korea will become the fourth country to approve Leqembi’s use in the world. However, the problem is the price of the drug. In the U.S., Leqembi costs about KRW 35 million per year; in Japan, it costs KRW 27 million. As this means that it would cost tens of millions of won to slow down the progression of mild dementia, patients in Korea are left with no option but to wait for its reimbursement.
- Policy
- Tepmetko reapplies for reimb in Korea for the third time
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 27, 2024 05:48am
- Tepmetko Tab (tepotinib, Merck) is applying for reimbursement in Korea for the third time after failing to set a reimbursement standard at the Cancer Disease Deliberation Committee (CDDC) stage in March. With no other treatment available for patients with MET-mutation positive metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the industry’s focus is on whether Tepmetko will succeed in receiving reimbursement approval this time. According to industry sources on the 26th, MSD recently applied for reimbursement of Tepmetko to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. This is the third reimbursement application the company has filed for the drug. Tepmetko, which was approved in Korea in November 2021, started its reimbursement journey in earnest in 2022. In its first attempt, the company sought to receive reimbursement for Tepmetko as a treatment for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with a confirmed MET exon 14 skipping mutation but failed at the HIRA’s CDDC stage in February last year. After the first failure, the company reorganized its data and made its second attempt last October. However, the company’s second attempt was also unsuccessful. In March, the CDDC again failed to set reimbursement standards. The company voluntarily withdrew their application in April thereafter. After taking a break, the company is now seeking reimbursement for the third time. No other drug for MET-mutation-positive NSCLC has successfully received reimbursement in Korea. Another same-class drug Tabrecta (capmatinib, Novartis) also failed to receive reimbursement after its 2021 approval and is now reportedly focusing on nonreimbursed sales. Although patients with MET mutations account for a small percentage (3-4%) of patients with metastatic NSCLC, the patients are in desperate need of a targeted therapy option due to their poor prognosis. In February, the company received traditional approval from the US FDA based on additional data. The company is known to be seeking reimbursement in Korea with the efficacy data that continues to accumulate. It has already passed the drug committees (DCs) of 13 major medical institutions in Korea and is being prescribed on a non-reimbursement basis through patient assistance programs. Therefore, the industry’s attention is on whether Tepmetko can pass the difficult Korean health insurance market barriers and receive reimbursement in its 3rd attempt.
- Policy
- Companies can apply for multiple clinical protocols at once
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 24, 2024 05:48am
- Pharmaceutical companies can now apply for multiple clinical trial at the same time for a single investigational drug that is being approved for the first time. The measure is presumed to have been implemented to accelerate global entry of domestic pharmaceutical companies. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has upgraded its computer system that manages same-ingredient investigational drugs to allow companies to apply for multiple clinical trial protocols at the same time. According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 23rd, the MFDS has prepared a follow-up measure to the 16th Task of the 'Food and Drug Regulatory Innovation 3.0' plan it had announced on May 2nd. Until now, every investigational new drugs was managed under one approval number for systematic management and to facilitate batch changes of quality data, so companies had to receive approval for one initial clinical trial protocol, then additionally apply for changes to add protocols. However, there has been industry opinion that it is difficult to conduct clinical trials swiftly in Korea during multinational clinical trials, as the company is required to add a protocol again if it seeks to target a different disease after receiving approval for the first protocol. Regarding this, MFDS Director Kyung-Seung Shin, Director of the Clinical Trials Policy Division at MFDS said, "In the case of clinical trials, multiple protocols are submitted for a single drug candidate to test it on multiple diseases, and the successful outcome of some of the trials lead to the drug’s final approval.” Shin explained, "It has been pointed out that the formulation, content, and route of administration cannot be clearly specified because the MFDS manages each drug candidate under one approval number. From now on, it will be possible to apply for a single clinical trial that contains various trial protocols at once for a same-ingredient drug” The MFDS expects the simultaneous application for clinical trials for a same-ingredient drug to accelerate the domestic industry's initiation of global clinical trials. However, even though companies can apply for multiple protocols of a first-approved investigational new drug at the same time, companies would need to submit the data and fees for each protocol approval application separately. However, for quality changes, the company would need to separately apply for approval of the change in each protocol. This means that quality changes cannot be applied unilaterally to all trial protocols. Also, companies can apply for additional protocols (modifications) after receiving initial protocol approval as in the past.
- Policy
- New drug Tibsovo is approved in Korea
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 23, 2024 05:49am
- The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that it has approved the orphan drug Tibsovo Tab (ivosidenib)' that is being imported by Servier Korea on the 22nd. The drug is indicated for use in combination with azacitidine for newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation in adults aged ≥75 years, or who have comorbidities that preclude the use of intensive induction chemotherapy, or as monotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in previously treated adults with IDH1 mutation. IDH1(Isocitrate Dehydrogenase1) mutation produces an abnormally high amount of a metabolite (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) that promotes the growth and survival of cancer cells. By inhibiting the mutated IDH1 enzyme and reducing the production of the 2-HG, Tibsovo Tab inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells and prompts apoptosis. The MFDS said it expects the drug to provide new treatment opportunities for patients with acute myeloid leukemia or cholangiocarcinoma who are positive for IDH1 mutations. The MFDS said that it will continue being committed to the rapid provision of safe and effective treatment for the Korean people based on its expertise in regulatory science, thereby expanding treatment opportunities for patients with rare and intractable diseases.
- Policy
- AZ, novel PNH drug 'Voydeya' may soon receive KOR approval
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 23, 2024 05:48am
- First-in-class oral paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) treatment will soon be approved in South Korea. According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 23rd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) completed the safety and efficacy review of AstraZeneca Korea’s 'Voydeya (danicopan)' for approval. Completing the safety and efficacy review usually indicates that the item will be approved soon. Voydeya was designated as an Orphan Drug in South Korea last year and was also designated as a candidate for GIFT for approval review. In April, the U.S. FDA granted approval for Voydeya as an add-on to the conventional drugs Ultomiris and Soliris. Utomiris and Soliris are among AstraZeneca's bestsellers, and with Voydeya's approval, the company further strengthened its position in the PNH treatment market. 'Fabhalta (iptacopan)', Novartis' oral factor B inhibitor, received FDA approval in December. It is a direct competitor to Voydeya. Voydeya is the first oral factor D inhibitor and targets PNH patients who experience severe hemolysis (red blood cell destruction) despite previous treatment with other drugs. These patients are about 10-20% of the total PNH patients. PNH is a rare, severe blood disorder characterized by intravascular hemolysis (red blood cell destruction within blood vessels) and activation of white blood cells and platelets, which can lead to organ damage and early death. Treatments blocking C5 protein to immediately, completely, and continuously inhibit terminal complement can reduce symptoms, complications, and improve patient survival rates. However, about 10-20% of PNH patients receiving C5 inhibitor therapy experience clinically significant extravascular hemolysis, leading to persistent anemia symptoms and possibly requiring blood transfusions. Before the FDA approval, Voydea received the first-in-class approval from Japan’s MHLW. Voydea's ALPHA clinical trial results showed that it met primary endpoints, including hemoglobin changes from baseline to week 12, and secondary endpoints, such as blood transfusion avoidance and changes in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale (FACIT-Fatigue) score for chronic disease treatment function assessment.
- Policy
- 4 Pharmas make bid into low-dose statin combo drug mkt
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 22, 2024 05:47am
- The popularity of low-dose statin continues. Due to its lower risk of side effects than high-dose statins and a higher cholesterol-lowering effect when combined with ezetimibe than as monotherapy, domestic pharmaceutical companies have been busy launching low-dose statin combination products one after another. According to industry sources on the 21st, 4 hyperlipidemia combination drugs that contain low-dose atorvastatin (5 mg) and ezetimibe will be listed for reimbursement in June. The atorvastatin 5 mg and ezetimibe combination was first introduced by Yuhan Corp in August last year. The drug, AtovamibeTab 10/5mg, was listed at an insurance ceiling price of KRW 637. Among the 4 items that will soon be reimbursed, Daewon Pharmaceutical's ‘Litozet 10/5mg’ and Dong Kook Pharmaceutical's ‘Atovanduo 10/5mg’ met two of the preferential pricing criteria set for generic drugs and will be listed at the same price as Yuhan, at KRW 637. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Litorvazet 10/5mg will be listed at KRW 636 because the company lowered the price by KRW 1, while Boryung’s L50 10/5mg will be priced at KRW 541 because it met only one of the criteria. L50 10/5mg is being contract manufactured by Daewon Pharmaceutical. The analysis is that low-dose atorvastatin has a lower risk of side effects such as diabetes and myopathy than the existing high-dose products. When combined with ezetimibe, it reduces LDL cholesterol levels by a greater degree than statin alone. Most pharmaceutical companies develop combination drugs with this concept. Low-dose (2.5 mg) combination products that use rosuvastatin have already shown success in the market. Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Rosuzet 10/2.5 mg is making blockbuster success. Since then, 8 other generics have been approved for reimbursement, growing the market size. This time, the release of 4 more atorvastatin low-dose combination drugs is expected to further expand the market size with the existing Yuhan product. As such, attention is focused on how large the market for low-dose statin combination products will grow.
- Policy
- Forxiga to maintain upper limit price until Korean mkt exit
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 22, 2024 05:47am
- AstraZeneca Forxiga (dapagliflozin propanediol hydrate), an SGLT-2 class of diabetes treatment, will maintain its upper limit price until it leaves the South Korean market. It appears that AstraZeneca’s strategy for defending the upper limit price through the court’s suspension of execution has worked. The price-value agreement (PVA) negotiations, which were the last variable to determine the drug’s listing price, will likely end without any changes. According to industry sources on the 21st, Forxiga tab 10 mg will be deleted from the reimbursement listing as of June 1st as the company voluntarily withdrew approval on May 25th. A grace period is set until December 1st. Until this date, the drug can be reimbursed. When Forxiga tab is deleted from the reimbursement listing, the upper limit price will still be 734 won. The price of Forxiga tab was set to decrease by 30% from 734 won due to a mandatory adjustment following the generics listing. However, after the court accepted the company’s request for execution suspension, the upper limit price was maintained. At the end of last year, AstraZeneca officially announced the withdrawal of Forxiga tab from the Korean market. The drug’s withdrawal is set for the second half of this year. At the time of approval cancellation on April 25th, the Forxiga indications in chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease, excluding diabetes, were transferred to HK inno.N’s generic ‘Dapa N tab.’ As reimbursement will be canceled due to approval cancellation, the drug’s upper limit price was expected to be maintained until it’s exit from the Korean market. However, the last remaining variable was the PVA negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). The company re-entered the negotiations after failing to reach an agreement in the initial negotiation, with the deadline set for the end of this month. If the company had agreed to decrease the upper limit price during the PVA negotiations, they could have reimbursement deleted at a lower price. However, AstraZeneca did not anticipate this situation. The company was hoping to maintain the drug’s upper limit price, considering the marketing of the drug in other countries that reference the Korean drug price. AstraZeneca received results as strategized. The PVA negotiations will likely conclude without changes to the upper limit price of the drug. The company may enter a separate contract with the government during the grace period for reimbursement, but that is not relevant now. The company has successfully maintained the drug’s upper limit price.
