HK Inno.N to distribute Tamiflu as Roche’s new partner

in Korea

Has distributed Xofluza the previous year… Rises as a distribution powerhouse in relevant markets, including those for COVID-19 vaccine supply, etc

HK Inno.N will be responsible for the domestic distribution of ‘Tamiflu Cap’ in addition to the distribution of the antiviral drug ‘Xofluza.’ The company is expected to gain external growth with the distribution of Tamiflu, which has an annual sales volume of KRW 15 billion.

 

According to industry sources on the 15th, HK Inno.N sent a letter to its business partners and announced that it will distribute Roche Korea’s Tamiflu Cap.

 

30/45/75mg from the 14th.

 

Tamiflu is “the” antiviral flu drug.

 

Its sales were sluggish in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but have risen significantly since last year with the rise of the flu epidemic.

 

Last year, its outpatient prescriptions amounted to KRW 15 billion based on UBIST.

 

Its previous distributor, Chong Kun Dang had distributed Tamiflu in Korea since 2012, but the companies’ partnership ended last year and Roche has been seeking a new domestic partner since.

 

Last year, HK Inno.N signed an exclusive domestic distribution and commercialization agreement with Roche Korea for the antiviral flu drug Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil).

 

Under the agreement, HK Inno.N will distribute Xofluza for 2 years and jointly conduct marketing and sales activities with Roche Korea.

 

Xofluza is a new drug that can treat influenza with just one dose, unlike other oral influenza treatments that require 5 days of administration.  It is the first flu antiviral drug to be developed in 20 years.

 

However, Xofluza is still non-reimbursed in Korea, so it has not been able to raise significant domestic sales.

 

If it succeeds in being reimbursed in Korea, it is expected to take over Tamiflu's sales.  Roche had shown its trust in HK Inno.N, signing for Tamiflu following Xofluza.

 

HK Inno.N is expected to become Roche's new partner in Korea after Chong Kun Dang.  “HK Inno.N has recently emerged as a key player in the domestic respiratory virus drug market, supplying Pfizer's new COVID-19 vaccine,” said a pharmaceutical industry insider.

 

”Its distribution of Tamiflu will help accelerate the company's external growth and raise company awareness in the antiviral drug market.”