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- 2026-09-09 03:36:10
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- 'Anzupgo' for CHE advances in obtaining reimbursement
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 08, 2026 09:02am
- As the new chronic hand eczema (CHE) drug Anzupgo nears National Health Insurance reimbursement, it is emerging as an option that can bridge the treatment gap between conventional topical corticosteroids and systemic therapy.Until now, when chronic hand eczema did not achieve an adequate response to topical corticosteroids, patients had to consider systemic therapies such as phototherapy or oral alitretinoin. Because long-term non-steroidal topical options were limited, reimbursement for Anzupgo could expand access to treatment.According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 8th, LEO Pharma's topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor Anzupgo (delgocitinib) recently received reimbursement appropriateness from the Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (PREC) of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). Consequently, the drug will proceed toward National Health Insurance listing following subsequent procedures, including drug price negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).Anzupgo secured reimbursement appropriateness from the PREC after demonstrating cost-effectiveness through a pharmacoeconomic evaluation.Recurrent hand eczema…Burden of long-term treatment increasestopical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor 'Anzupgo'Chronic hand eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease accompanied by pruritus, pain, and skin fissures. Because the hands are used continuously in daily routines and occupational activities, recurring symptoms substantially affect work performance and quality of life.Conventional treatment has primarily followed a stepwise approach, starting with basic skin care, including moisturizers, then moving to topical corticosteroids, and finally escalating to phototherapy or oral alitretinoin.However, long-term use of topical corticosteroids carries the burden of adverse effects such as skin atrophy, and oral alitretinoin also has limitations in continuous application across all patients due to adverse events like headache and dyslipidemia, as well as restrictions on its use in women of childbearing potential.In clinical practice, the issue of patients who do not respond adequately to topical corticosteroids repeatedly receiving the same treatment, thereby delaying the transition to systemic therapy, has particularly been highlighted as an unmet medical need.In fact, a study analyzing approximately 4,000 Danish patients with chronic hand eczema revealed that it took more than eight years for approximately 44% of all patients to reach their first systemic therapy.Experts argue that rather than repeating topical corticosteroid therapy that is ineffective, clinicians need a strategy to transition to the next step of treatment based on disease severity and response.A new option between topical therapy and systemic TreatmentAnzupgo is a non-steroidal topical pan-JAK inhibitor that inhibits JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2. In South Korea, it was approved in September last year to treat adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema who have had an inadequate response to topical corticosteroids or for whom such treatments are inappropriate.Compared with existing treatments, Anzupgo is a new topical treatment option that can be used before transitioning to systemic therapy in patients who do not respond adequately to topical corticosteroids.In the global Phase 3 DELTA 1 and DELTA 2 studies, which served as the basis for Anzupgo's approval, administration for 16 weeks in adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema resulted in Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) 75% or greater improvement (HECSI-75) rates of 49.2% and 49.5%, respectively.The proportion of patients achieving an improvement of 4 points or more in itch score was also 47.1% in DELTA 1 and 47.2% in DELTA 2, outperforming the vehicle/placebo arm rates of 23.0% and 19.9%, respectively. Pain reduction was also confirmed compared to placebo, and therapeutic efficacy and safety were maintained for up to 52 weeks in the DELTA 3 extension study.Anzupgo is currently prescribed as a non-reimbursed drug in Korea. The pharmacy acquisition price per 60 g tube is approximately KRW 690,000. The final non-reimbursed price set by healthcare institutions is around KRW 800,000.However, the actual duration of use varies widely depending on the extent of the patient's lesions. When applied thinly twice daily to affected areas of the hands and wrists, a single 60 g tube typically lasts about two months for patients with localized lesions.Under the current non-reimbursed status, patients may face drug expenses of hundreds of thousands of won per month, depending on individual usage. Once reimbursement is granted, the financial burden on patients requiring long-term treatment is expected to decrease.
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- Novartis and Yuhan to co-promote Rhapsido in Korea
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 08, 2026 09:01am
- Novartis Korea and Yuhan Corp will jointly market ‘Rhapsido’Novartis Korea (Country President: Byung-Jae Yoo) announced that the company has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Yuhan Corp for the domestic distribution, sales, and promotion of Rhapsido (remibrutinib), the first oral BTK inhibitor for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). The two companies held a ceremony on the 34rd to mark the signing of the final agreement.The agreement made this time was a strategic distribution and promotion partnership. In the partnership, Yuhan will take sole responsibility for distributing Rhapsido in Korea. Novartis Korea will handle promotional activities at general hospitals, with Yuhan being responsible for promotion at clinics.Through close collaboration, the two companies plan to effectively communicate the value of Rhapsido to patients with CSU and healthcare professionals in Korea.Byung-Jae Yoo, Country President of Novartis Korea, said, “Our partnership with Yuhan, which has extensive experience and a deep understanding of dermatology practice in the clinic setting, marks an important milestone in bringing Rhapsido closer to the patients who need it. By combining the expertise and capabilities of our two companies, we hope to provide new treatment opportunities to more patients and contribute to advancing the treatment environment for CSU in Korea.”Wook-je Cho, President and CEO of Yuhan, said, “We believe Rhapsido is an innovative therapy that can provide a new treatment option for patients with CSU. Drawing on Yuhan's sales and marketing capabilities and nationwide distribution network, we will do our utmost to effectively communicate the value of Rhapsido to healthcare professionals and patients and contribute to improving the treatment environment.”Rhapsido is an oral inhibitor targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). It was approved in Korea in April for the treatment of adults with CSU that is inadequately controlled with H1 antihistamines.CSU is a condition characterized by recurrent wheals, angioedema, and itching caused by histamine and other inflammatory mediators released during mast cell activation. Rhapsido works by highly selectively inhibiting BTK, which is involved in this process, thereby reducing the release of inflammatory mediators. While conventional antihistamines are used to control symptoms by blocking histamine receptors, Rhapsido offers a different treatment approach by targeting BTK, which is involved in the activation of mast cells and basophils.The approval of Rhapsido was based on results from the global Phase III REMIX-1 and REMIX-2 trials. At Week 12, Rhapsido produced significantly greater improvements from baseline in weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) versus placebo (REMIX-1: −20.0 vs. −13.8; REMIX-2: −19.4 vs. −11.7; P<0.001 for both), with the observed treatment effect remaining consistent through Week 24.In the 52-week analysis, improvements in itch and wheals were observed as early as Week 1 in the Rhapsido group and were sustained through Week 52. The safety profile over the 52-week treatment period was also consistent with that observed in the 24-week analysis.
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- 14 drugs apply for ‘100-day fast-track listing’
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 08, 2026 09:01am
- The number of pharmaceutical companies throwing their hats into the ring for the pilot program aimed at listing rare disease drugs within 100 days, has exceeded expectations.According to Dailypharm's coverage, a number of multinational pharmaceutical companies, including Leo Pharma Korea, Ipsen Korea, Novartis Korea, AstraZeneca Korea, MSD Korea and CSL Behring Korea, as well as Korean drugmakers G and S, submitted applications to participate in the pilot program by last month's deadline. Applications for a total of 14 products were confirmed to have been submitted.Under the original plan, only 5 of the 14 products would be selected for the pilot. However, health authorities are reportedly considering selecting additional products if they meet the eligibility criteria.The pilot program sets a target of 100 days for completing the reimbursement listing. It allows eligible drugs to be listed upfront without a pharmacoeconomic evaluation or price negotiation. Even negotiations over projected reimbursement claims are waived, with the initial reimbursement price set at around 90% of the lowest adjusted price among the A8 countries.In other words, once a valid application is submitted and coordination with the government is completed, the system can enable drugs to obtain reimbursement listing substantially faster.However, many had expected participation in the pilot to be limited, as several of its conditions were considered difficult for pharmaceutical companies to accept.The biggest concern was the post-listing evaluation based on newly generated evidence. The government planned to establish real-world registries to generate real-world evidence (RWE) on clinical outcomes. At the 5-year mark, following reassessment, a drug could retain its existing reimbursement status, face a partial price reduction, or be switched to full out-of-pocket payment.With debate over the reliability and use of RWE data still unresolved, a drug could therefore effectively lose reimbursement coverage after 5 years depending on the assessment outcome. For multinational companies, this raises the possibility of the Korean government effectively attaching an official label to one of their products suggesting that it ‘lacks efficacy.’Furthermore, the newly introduced requirement to submit a ‘patient treatment continuity assurance plan’ was something never previously been part of Korea's reimbursement listing system. With no detailed guidance yet available, the unfamiliar requirement has added to companies' hesitation. There are also concerns over expenditure caps, given that the pilot is for rare disease therapies, whose patients generally have longer life expectancies than cancer patients.Against this backdrop, applications for 14 products represent an encouraging result. Drugmakers appear to have been attracted primarily by the benefit of upfront reimbursement listing, while also placing expectations on how the program may evolve when it is rolled out on a full scale.“Simply expressing our intention to participate in the pilot can help demonstrate our commitment to the government,” an official at one applicant company said. “It may also allow us to actively provide input as the program is refined and help find common ground that is acceptable to both the government and industry.”
- Company
- Obesity drugs mkt is expanding beyond GLP-1 to amylin and glucagon
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 07, 2026 08:59am
- The obesity drug market, dominated by GLP-1 receptor agonists, is diversifying toward using novel hormonal pathways such as amylin and glucagon.In the future, rather than administering the same drug to everyone with obesity, treatment strategies could evolve into tailored approaches that select GLP-1-based therapeutics, amylin agonists, and dual or triple agonists based on comorbid complications, required weight-loss range, and tolerability.W. Timothy Garvey, Professor of the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), attended the International Congress on Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (ICOMES 2026) organized by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido on the 4th, where he delivered a presentation titled "Incretin Targets to Multi-Hormonal Approaches: The Role of Amylin and Glucagon" and introduced future directions in the development of next-generation obesity therapies.Professor Garvey distinguished newly emerged obesity drugs such as 'Wegovy (semaglutide)' and 'Mounjaro (tirzepatide)' from conventional agents, calling them "second-generation therapies." While conventional obesity treatments showed an average weight-loss efficacy of 10% or less, recent therapeutics have achieved an average reduction of 15% or more.However, Professor Garvey noted that the significance of second-generation therapeutics does not lie merely in increasing weight-loss range. Professor Garvey explained that greater weight reduction expands the scope for preventing or improving various obesity-related complications. Therefore, obesity management should focus on improving patient health rather than body weight alone.W. Timothy Garvey, Professor of the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), attended the International Congress on Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (ICOMES 2026) organized by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido on September 4.Expanding to amylin and glucagon…Diversification of targets for novel obesity drugsGlobal development of obesity treatments is broadening its targets beyond the single GLP-1 pathway to diverse hormones regulated by nutritional status, including amylin, GIP, glucagon, and PYY.In addition to single agonists, dual agonists targeting both GLP-1 ·glucagon triple agonists, are currently under development. This approach aims to maximize weight-loss efficacy by combining distinct mechanisms of action.Boehringer Ingelheim's GLP-1·glucagon dual agonist survodutide demonstrated a weight-loss rate of 16.6% at week 76 in the maximum-dose 6 mg cohort, based on the efficacy estimand (assuming treatment adherence), in the Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial. Based on the treatment-regimen estimand, which reflects treatment discontinuations and other variables, the rate was 13.0%.However, tolerability remains a challenge. The proportion of patients in the 6 mg group who discontinued the investigational drug due to adverse events was approximately 20%, and gastrointestinal adverse events such as nausea and vomiting were also relatively frequent.Professor Garvey pointed out, "A discontinuation rate of 20% is concerning," noting that the burden of gastrointestinal adverse events was greater than in prior GLP-1 clinical trials. Conversely, he attributed positive significance to the findings showing reductions in liver fat and liver stiffness.Eli Lilly's GLP-1·GIP·glucagon triple agonist retatrutide achieved a weight loss rate of 28.3% at the maximum dose of 12 mg based on the efficacy estimand in the Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 trial. The 9 mg and 4 mg doses achieved reductions of 25.9% and 19.0%, respectively.Describing the extent of weight reduction observed at the maximum dose, Professor Garvey remarked that it was "comparable with bariatric surgery." However, because paresthesia and hypotension were also observed, he noted that adverse event management would be necessary for real-world clinical use.Amylin, potential differentiation in both weight loss efficacy and tolerabilityAt this presentation, Professor Garvey placed particular emphasis on amylin.Amylin is a hormone cosecreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells; it acts on regions such as the brainstem and hypothalamus to increase satiety and reduce food intake while delaying gastric emptying.Preclinical studies have shown that amylin suppresses the decrease in energy expenditure during weight loss and reduces fat mass while potentially preserving muscle mass relatively well. Researchers are also investigating its potential to attenuate bone mass loss.However, Professor Garvey drew a line by stating that because these effects on muscle and bone are still based on preclinical evidence, further confirmation is required to determine whether they can be replicated in patients.In clinical settings, a relatively low incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events, along with robust weight loss efficacy, is cited as a major strength.The long-acting amylin analog petrelintide, under development by Roche and Zealand Pharma, demonstrated a weight reduction exceeding 10% in the Phase 2 ZUPREME-1 trial.Professor Garvey highlighted that nausea occurred in about 20% of patients, lower than levels typically reported in clinical trials of GLP-1-based agents, and that vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation were also relatively uncommon.Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, a co-formulation of the amylin analog cagrilintide and semaglutide, demonstrated a weight loss rate of 22.7% at week 68 based on the efficacy estimand in the REDEFINE 1 trial. This exceeded the 16.1% observed with semaglutide monotherapy and 11.8% with cagrilintide monotherapy.Eli Lilly's investigational selective amylin receptor agonist, eloralintide, also demonstrated weight loss of up to 20.1% based on the efficacy estimand in a 48-week Phase 2 study.Professor Garvey said long-acting amylin agents show weight-loss efficacy sufficient to anticipate health benefits in short-term clinical trials, while carrying a relatively lower burden of gastrointestinal adverse events. He explained that this underpins the pharmaceutical industry's heightened focus on developing the amylin class.Drug selection may vary depending on severe obesity and comorbiditiesProfessor Garvey anticipated that as the pipeline of obesity therapeutics expands, treatment algorithms will be established, much like those for hypertension or diabetes, where agents are tailored to patient conditions and additional medications are introduced as needed.However, Professor Garvey clarified that this is not currently an established recommendation, but rather a hypothetical treatment strategy grounded in early clinical evidence.Professor Garvey categorized patients broadly into three types. For patients with a high body mass index (BMI) accompanied by biomechanical complications such as impaired mobility, dual or triple agonists could be considered, as substantial weight reduction of 20% to 25% or more may be required.For patients with specific comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease or obstructive sleep apnea, Professor Garvey considered administering agents proven effective in improving those complications in clinical trials first.Conversely, for the broader population of individuals with obesity who do not have specific comorbidities, Professor Garvey mentioned the possibility of utilizing long-acting amylin agonists, which offer sufficient weight loss efficacy along with favorable tolerability, as an initial therapeutic option.Professor Garvey stated, "In obesity, as in hypertension or diabetes, management can evolve by starting with a well-tolerated drug and then adding other agents if clinical targets are not met," concluding that "as treatment options expand, a more individualized approach will become possible for each patient."
- Company
- Will the MM drug Tecvayli finally be reimbursed in Korea?
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 07, 2026 08:58am
- Tecvayli, a novel treatment for multiple myeloma, has completed the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service stage of the reimbursement process nearly 3 years after receiving marketing authorization in Korea.According to industry sources, Janssen Korea’s bispecific antibody Tecvayli (teclistamab) recently passed HIRA’s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee.The decision follows the drug’s Korean approval in July 2023 and its passage through the Cancer Drug Deliberation Committee in May. Tecvayli’s progress is being welcomed in the field, as reimbursement of new therapies has been particularly slow in multiple myeloma.Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, but in the past, survival rates were very low due to limited treatment options.In recent years, however, innovative treatments such as monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T therapies, and bispecific antibodies have expanded treatment options and improved survival.In fact, over the past 20 years, the five-year survival rate for multiple myeloma patients has increased from 29.8% in 2001-2005 to about 50.1% in 2017-2021. However, this remains below the 60% survival rate in developed countries such as the United States, and limited access to care is widely regarded as a major contributing factor.In Korea, only 13 (52%) of the 22 drugs recommended in the NCCN guidelines for multiple myeloma are covered by reimbursement (based on the NCCN guidelines 2024 v2).For example, Darzalex (daratumumab) was approved in 2019 as a first-line combination therapy for multiple myeloma, but was only granted reimbursement as a fourth-line monotherapy in Korea.It was not until October last year, roughly five years later, that the DREC recognized the appropriateness of expanding the reimbursed use of Darzalex under its risk-sharing agreement. Also, Xpovio (selinexor) was granted reimbursement in July 2024, after 4 reimbursement attempts since its approval in 2021.Bispecific antibody therapies for multiple myeloma simultaneously bind a target antigen on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells. While some BCMA×CD3 bispecific antibodies are IgG2 kappa antibodies derived from two monoclonal antibodies, Tecvayli is a full-size IgG4-PAA bispecific antibody that redirects T cells to BCMA-expressing myeloma cells, offering a novel therapeutic approach.Despite their high clinical utility, Tecvayli and other bispecific antibodies, including Elrexfio (elranatamab) and Talvey (talquetamab), all remain unreimbursed in Korea. Therefore, attention is now focused on whether Tecvayli can clear price negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service and complete the final stretch of its reimbursement journey.Tecvayli was approved based on results from the Phase 1/2 MajesTEC-1 study. In the trial, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of the drug in a total of 165 patients, Tecvayli achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 63% in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received three or more therapies, including triple-class exposure to a proteasome inhibitor (PI), an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Also, 32.7% of the patients achieved a stringent complete response (sCR).Also, 6.7% and 19.4% of patients showed complete response (CR) and very good partial response (VGPR), respectively. The median time to first response was 1.2 months, and the duration of response (DOR) was analyzed to be 18.4 months (14.9-not estimable).
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- IPF drug Jascayd to enter the Korean market
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 04, 2026 08:46am
- Jascayd, the first new treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in a decade, is set to enter the Korean market.According to industry sources, Boehringer Ingelheim Korea has submitted a marketing authorization application for Jascayd (nerandomilast), a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is now reviewing it.Jascayd's final approval may come as early as this year. When approved, the company would be able to secure an additional asset in its pulmonary fibrosis portfolio alongside Ofev (nintedanib).Jascayd is an oral, selective phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) inhibitor that exerts antifibrotic and immunomodulatory effects through a mechanism distinct from those of existing treatments. The drug is already approved in the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Brazil.Its safety and efficacy were demonstrated in the global Phase III FIBRONEER-IPF trial.The study enrolled 1,177 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Its primary endpoint was the change from baseline in forced vital capacity (FVC) at Week 52. FVC, the volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after taking the deepest possible breath, is a key measure of lung function.The results showed that Jascayd significantly slowed lung function decline compared with placebo. At Week 52, mean FVC had declined by 106 mL in the Jascayd 18 mg group and 122 mL in the 9 mg group, compared with 170 mL in the placebo group. In particular, the 18 mg group began to separate from the placebo group just 2 weeks after treatment initiation, and the difference was maintained through Week 52.Meanwhile, Ofev is currently reimbursed in Korea only for its PPF indication. Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking to expand its reimbursement to IPF, but discussions have made little progress.Meanwhile, IPF has the highest mortality rate among rare diseases in Korea. It is a rare, intractable disease in which interstitial tissue in the lungs progressively becomes fibrotic and stiffens without a known cause. As the lung structures responsible for oxygen exchange are damaged, patients develop chronic cough and shortness of breath, eventually progressing to respiratory failure.The disease also progresses rapidly. While lung function in healthy adults declines by around 10–20 cc per year, patients with IPF lose 150–250 cc annually, equivalent to roughly 10% of their lung function each year.
- Company
- Joint sales agreements for pharmaceuticals are on the rise
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 03, 2026 04:49pm
- Joint sales across South Korea's pharmaceutical and biotech industry are shifting rapidly. As joint sales agreements increase, expiring contracts and partner transitions are also rising.Chong Kun Dang has focused on a generational portfolio transition over the past year by clearing out multiple legacy co-promoted products while securing major new items. Meanwhile, Boryung and Hanmi Pharm are driving top-line revenue expansion through co-promotion by sequentially adding external products to their commercial portfolios.Changes in the types of joint sales partnerships are common. Market analysis notes an increasing number of cases where the focus is shifting away from selecting partners based solely on large sales forces and nationwide networks toward partnering with companies with distinct competitive strengths in specific channels, such as general hospitals, outpatient clinics, or retail pharmacies.New contracts to partner transitions...24 joint sales agreements over past yearAccording to the pharmaceutical industry on the 2nd, 24 co-promotion agreements have been signed across the South Korean biopharmaceutical industry over the past year.Late last month, the joint sales agreement between Organon Korea and Chong Kun Dang for Nasonex ended. In turn, Organon signed an agreement designating Boryung as its new commercial partner for Nasonex.The joint sales of Fexuclue between Chong Kun Dang and Daewoong Pharmaceutical is also ending. The joint sales contract between the two companies ended on August 31. Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to transition to exclusive in-house commercialization going forward. The 20 mg package will transition to sole distribution immediately, while the 10 mg and 40 mg packages will be distributed exclusively by Daewoong starting in December. If existing channel inventories are depleted earlier, distribution will transition immediately to Daewoong's exclusive framework.In July, Daewoong Bio and Yungjin Pharmaceutical entered into a joint sales agreement for Pulmicool and Risenolin. Gunil Pharm and Yungjin Pharm expanded their joint sales agreement for Rosomega. Eisai Korea signed a new co-promotion agreement with SK Chemicals for Dayvigo, under which SK Chemicals covers hospitals and clinics with 300 beds or fewer. In comparison, Eisai oversees institutions with more than 300 beds. In addition, Organon Korea and Chong Kun Dang concluded a co-promotion agreement for Atozet and Vytorin. For Atozet, Boryung will co-promote the product in place of Chong Kun Dang, while Organon will sell Vytorin exclusively.Additionally, multiple new agreements were executed earlier this year, including: new co-promotion agreements between ▲Celltrion Pharm and Daewon Pharmaceutical for Edarbi, Edarbyclor, and Edarbipine ▲Ferring Korea and Hanmi Pharm for Minirin and Nocdurna ▲Vivozon Pharm and Hanmi Pharm for Unafra (in January) ▲SK chemicals and Kyung Nam Pharm for Nose-R Soft Cap ▲MSD Korea and Kwangdong Pharmaceutical for the adult pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Capvaxive (both in February) ▲Tanabe Pharma Korea and HK inno.N for Vadanem ▲Servier Korea and Bukwang Pharm for seven products including Acertil and Vastinan ▲Sanofi and Huons for five vaccines including Vaxigrip (all in March) ▲Alteogen Biologics and GC Wellbeing for Tergase Inj. In June, the joint sales partnership between Alvogen Korea and Chong Kun Dang for Qsymia concluded, with Alvogen intending to seek a new co-promotion partner for the product.Chong Kun Dang focuses on portfolio shift...Boryung and Hanmi expand external growthAmong pharmaceutical companies active in co-promotion, Chong Kun Dang, Boryung, and Hanmi Pharm stand out.Chong Kun Dang has actively pursued new commercial assets while streamlining many of its legacy co-promoted products. Late last year, Chong Kun Dang executed a domestic co-marketing and sales agreement with Novo Nordisk Korea for the anti-obesity therapeutic Wegovy targeting local hospitals and clinics. In December, it partnered with Bayer Korea to co-promote Eylea, with Chong Kun Dang leading sales focused on primary clinic channels. In the same month, the company signed a joint sales agreement for Apnotrack, a digital sleep apnea diagnostic aid developed by Asleep.Conversely, several joint sales agreements, beginning with Qsymia, followed by Atozet, Vytorin, Fexuclue, and Nasonex, have concluded over the past year. Industry analysis report a generational turnover of Chong Kun Dang's co-promotion portfolio is underway as the company adds major products such as Wegovy and Eylea while winding down partnerships for Atozet and Fexuclue.Boryung is expanding its presence in the joint sales landscape by stepping into positions vacated by Chong Kun Dang. Following Atozet, Boryung joined as the new distribution partner for Nasonex, marking two consecutive cases where the partner transitioned from Chong Kun Dang to Boryung. In 2024, the joint sales partner for HK inno.N's K-CAB also shifted from Chong Kun Dang to Boryung.Hanmi Pharm is broadening its co-promotion scope by entering into new partnerships across multiple companies. Following an agreement in October of last year to distribute and market three respiratory therapeutics from Boehringer Ingelheim Korea domestically, Hanmi expanded its commercial footprint this year with co-promotion agreements with Ferring Korea for Minirin and Nocdurna, and with Vivozon Pharm for Unafra Inj.For Boryung and Hanmi Pharm, top-line expansion is expected immediately. Boryung previously achieved KRW 1 trillion in annual revenue buoyed by the co-promotion of K-CAB. Analysis suggests that leveraging established commercial networks enables top-line growth, while expanding product portfolios creates synergies with in-house proprietary products.'Channel Strengths' prioritized over 'sales representative number'...A shift in joint sales effortsThe most prominent change in recent joint agreements is the increasing granularity of partner-selection criteria. In the past, joint sales contracts were predominantly structured around multinational pharmaceutical companies leveraging the nationwide distribution networks and extensive sales forces of domestic manufacturers. Multinationals provided the products and brand equity, while domestic pharmaceutical firms deployed their commercial teams to target healthcare institutions.Increasingly, contracts are taking this approach a step further by dividing sales channels based on each company's specific competencies. For example, joint sales of Minirin and Nocdurna between Ferring Korea and Hanmi Pharm show this trend. Ferring focuses on general hospitals, while Hanmi Pharm leads sales and marketing across outpatient clinics and small- to medium-sized hospitals. Hanmi Pharm's commercial coverage includes small and medium-sized hospitals with 30 to 300 beds and handles nationwide distribution. Rather than a single firm handling all tiers of healthcare facilities, this model segments the market based on each partner's respective advantages.Joint sales of Dayvigo between Eisai Korea and SK Chemicals similarly splits the commercial territory by hospital bed capacity. Likewise, joint sales of seven hypertension and dyslipidemia therapies between Servier Korea and Bukwang Pharm divides roles around bed scale.Other partnerships leverage specialized commercial strength within the retail pharmacy channel, exemplified by the co-promotion of Nose-R between SK chemicals and Kyungnam Pharm. SK chemicals plans to accelerate Nose-R sales by leveraging Kyungnam Pharm's dedicated marketing and sales capabilities in retail pharmacies.Joint sales agreements in the pharmaceutical industry are evolving beyond simply borrowing sales representatives into a more segmented approach that matches complementary commercial capabilities across specific products and targeted channels.Increased domestic-to-domestic joint sales deals can be explained in this context. Partnerships between Celltrion Pharm and Daewon Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Bio and Yungjin Pharm, and Vivozon Pharm and Hanmi Pharm are all examples of domestic pharmas combining products with complementary commercial networks. Original drug developers with proprietary products can access specific channels without establishing dedicated in-house sales organizations, while distribution partners can expand their commercial portfolios by leveraging existing sales infrastructure.
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- Anybody can become a patient, but support still falls short
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 03, 2026 04:48pm
- Six in 10 patients and family members are known to have experienced difficulties or disadvantages in carrying out their daily lives.The Korea Alliance of Patients Organizations (KAPO) and the Korean Research-based Pharma Industry Association (KRPIA) held a press conference at the annex of Sangyeonjae’s City Hall branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, on September 2 to celebrate the launch of a joint campaign, “Patients Beside Us, Us Beside Patients,” aimed at broadening social understanding of patients.At the event, the two organizations released findings from a survey on perceptions of patients conducted ahead of the campaign. Research Lab surveyed 1,069 respondents: 569 patients and family members and 500 members of the general public, from July 27 to 30.KAPO President Ki-jong Ahn and KRPIA Vice Chairman Young-shin Lee88% of patients and their family members as well as 85.6% of the general public agreed that anyone can become a patient. On ‘illness can strike without warning,’ 91.9% of patients and their family members, and 86.4% of the general public agreed, indicating broad recognition that anyone may find themselves in need of care.Yet 60.3% of patients and their family members said they had experienced at least one difficulty or disadvantage in daily life.Social relationships and activities were the most frequently cited area, at 40.2%, followed by work, recruitment and promotion at 26.7%, and school and academic life at 22.3%.Only 33.2% of patients and family members and 28.0% of the general public felt that society currently provides sufficient support for patients. The findings suggest that, though there is consensus on the fact that everybody can become a patient, it has yet to translate into support that adequately addresses the difficulties patients and families face.The joint campaign was prepared to raise awareness of patients’ everyday lives and challenges and change how society views them. Its slogan, “This Could Be Our Story,” reflects the idea that any patient’s story could become our own.With the Framework Act on Patients enacted in April and due to take effect on April 29 next year, the campaign also highlights the need for changing social attitudes alongside institutional protections for patients’ rights.KAPO President Ki-jong Ahn said, “We need to move beyond simply acknowledging that anyone can become a patient and take the next step -- supporting and standing alongside patients around us so they can live without discrimination or disadvantage. We hope this campaign will serve as a starting point for turning empathy into support and solidarity, and solidarity into action.”KRPIA Vice Chairman Young-shin Lee added, “Patients are not just simply recipients of treatment, but are people whose health and dignity must be protected, just like everyone else. As patient-centered policies expand through developments such as the recent passage of the Framework Act on Patients and drug pricing reforms, we hope this campaign will provide an opportunity to reflect anew on the importance of patients’ rights and safety.”KAPO and KRPIA plan to share the experiences and voices of patients and their families under the key themes, “Listen,” “Understand” and “Act Together.”The campaign will also encourage public participation through calligraphy and handwritten-copying challenges, as well as activities on its official Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. These initiatives aim to build greater social awareness so that patients can live without discrimination or disadvantage at school, at work, at home and in their communities.
- Company
- Tibsovo enters final stage for reimbursement review in Korea
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 03, 2026 04:48pm
- Tibsovo, a novel therapy for cholangiocarcinoma, entered the final stage of the reimbursement process to secure national health insurance coverage in Korea.According to Dailypharm coverage, the Ministry of Health and Welfare recently issued an order to the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) to begin price negotiations for Servier Korea’s Tibsovo (ivosidenib), a targeted therapy for cholangiocarcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).The order has come later than expected following the drug’s passage through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service’s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee in July. However, reimbursement may well be likely before the end of the year if negotiations conclude promptly.This marks Tibsovo’s second attempt to secure coverage for cholangiocarcinoma. Last October, only its AML indication cleared the Cancer Drug Review Committee review.Specifically, Tibsovo is indicated for adults with an IDH1 mutation ▲ as monotherapy for previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma; and ▲in combination with azacitidine for newly diagnosed AML in patients aged 75 or older or those with comorbidities that prevent the use of standard intensive chemotherapy.Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis, with a 5-year relative survival rate of just 28.9%. In particular, 65% of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are diagnosed at an advanced stage where surgery is not feasible. Tibsovo is the only targeted therapy recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in the highest category (Category 1) as a second-line treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.In the Phase III ClarIDHy trial, Tibsovo reduced the risk of disease progression by 63% compared with placebo. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.7 months (1.4 months with placebo). Median overall survival (OS) was 10.3 months in the Tibsovo group, more than twice the 5.1 months reported for the placebo group.Meanwhile, in the phase III AGILE trial in patients with AML, Tibsovo in combination with azacitidine also demonstrated improvements in event-free survival (EFS) and a significant improvement in OS.The median OS in the Tibsovo-treated group was 24.0 months (7.9 months in the placebo group), and long-term follow-up results showed that the median OS with Tibsovo combination therapy was 29.3 months, over 3.7 times longer than with placebo combination therapy.
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- Fintepla enters hospital formularies following reimb listing
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 02, 2026 09:06am
- Fintepla, a new treatment for Dravet syndrome, may now be prescribed at major hospitals in Korea, following its addition to the national reimbursement list.According to industry sources, UCB Korea’s Fintepla (fenfluramine) has passed the drug committees (DCs) of major medical institutions in Korea, including Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.With the drug added to the reimbursement list as of yesterday (Sept. 1), the number of hospitals where it can be prescribed is expected to continue increasing.Fintepla is reimbursed for patients aged 2 years or older with Dravet syndrome who have received three or more existing antiseizure medications (valproate, clobazam) at sufficiently tolerated doses but have failed to achieve at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency compared with when the first antiseizure medication was initiated.Dravet syndrome is an ultra-rare, severe and intractable childhood epilepsy that typically develops around 12 months of age, and up to 15% of patients die during infancy or adolescence. In addition to prolonged febrile seizures, patients experience various nonspecific forms of seizures throughout their lives. Persistent seizures are associated with an increased risk of physical and neurodevelopmental comorbidities, including muscle stiffness, language development disorders, autism, intellectual disability, and ADHD.The disease also places a substantial burden on caregivers, who often have to provide round-the-clock care and contend with high levels of caregiving stress and poor quality of life due to career interruptions and loss of income. In particular, substantial unmet medical needs remain in Korea as there are limitations in controlling seizures with currently used antiepileptic drugs alone, and some therapies even exacerbate seizures.Fintepla is the only antiseizure medication with a dual mechanism of action targeting both serotonin receptors and the sigma-1 receptor pathway. It reduces seizures by promoting serotonin release, acting on multiple 5-HT receptors and modulating sigma-1 receptors. Another feature supporting its clinical utility is that it can be added to existing antiseizure therapy without requiring discontinuation or dose adjustment of medications already being taken.In three randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III trials, Fintepla significantly reduced mean monthly convulsive seizure frequency by approximately 54% to 65% compared with placebo. The proportion of patients achieving near-seizure freedom reached 25% in Study 1 and 29% in Study 3.In an open-label extension study lasting up to three years, 64.2% of all patients achieved at least a 50% reduction from baseline in mean monthly convulsive seizure frequency, demonstrating sustained efficacy over the longer term.Hoon-Chul Kang, Professor of pediatric neurology at Severance Children’s Hospital, said, “Fintepla has demonstrated clinically meaningful treatment outcomes not only in reducing seizure frequency but also in improving non-seizure symptoms. With reimbursement now available, we expect meaningful expansion of treatment opportunities for children with Dravet syndrome who have faced limitations with existing therapeutic options.”
