Vivozon "Joint sales of Unafra with Daiichi Sankyo"

Aiming for global entry

Vivozon and Daiichi Sankyo Korea sign co-promotion deal for Unafra Inj in the Korean market

"Daiichi Sankyo Korea will be responsible for sales in hospitals with over 300 beds …synergy is expected in post-operative patient care"

A two-track strategy, involving technology transfer·local partner, has been planned…" Daiichi Sankyo Korea will play a positive role"

Vivozon has chosen Daiichi Sankyo Korea as its co-promotion partner for Unafra Inj (opiranserin).

 

The pharmaceutical industry points to two key reasons for this partnership: a synergy in sales and marketing for postoperative patient care, and the potential for Daiichi Sankyo Korea to play a positive role in Unafra's global market entry.

 

Joint sales promotion of Unafra Inj: synergy between product·sales expected in 'postoperative patient care.' On September 16, Vivozon announced that it had signed a co-promotion and sales agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Korea for the distribution, marketing, and sales of Unafra in Korea.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Vivozon will supply the finished product, and the two companies will share the responsibilities of distribution, sales, and marketing.

 

Vivozon announces signing a co-promotion and sales agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Korea for its Unafra.

 

Unafra received the marketing authorization as the 38th new Korean drug in December of last year.

 

Around the time of the product's approval, Vivozon began searching for a co-promotion partner.

 

For Vivozon, securing a domestic sales partner was crucial.

 

Its existing sales team of about 30 people handled promotion and sales for regional hub hospitals, but this was insufficient for a stable landing of the new drug.

 

To effectively sell Unafra, which is approved for postoperative pain management, a sales team specializing in large hospitals was needed.

 

Consequently, the company focused on securing a partner while also expanding its own sales force.

 

It is reported that several other pharmaceutical and biotech companies showed interest, but Vivozon ultimately chose Astellas Pharma Korea.

 

A Vivozon official stated, "With the Unafra's approval set, we added about 10 sales representatives dedicated to the product.

 

With this partnership, we will now begin full-scale sales of Unafra," and added, "Daiichi Sankyo Korea will be responsible for sales and marketing at general hospitals with over 300 beds, while both companies will jointly handle sales and marketing for hospitals and clinics with fewer than 300 beds." Daiichi Sankyo Korea's product portfolio, which targets postoperative patients, is also considered a background to the partnership.

 

Daiichi Sankyo Korea holds 'Nasea (ramosetron),' a preventive medication for nausea and vomiting, and 'Taleaje (mirogabalin),' a treatment for neuropathic pain.

 

Both products are primarily used for pre- and postoperative patient management, creating a potential synergy with Unafra, which targets postoperative pain management.

 

The global pharma Daiichi Sankyo Korea's support is expected for global expansion From the development stage, Vivozon set its goal on the global market for Unafra.

 

The decision to choose Daiichi Sankyo Korea as a partner is interpreted as a move that extends beyond mere domestic sales and marketing collaboration, with the company also seeking practical and strategic support for its global expansion.

 

Vivozon has established a two-track global entry strategy.

 

For the U.S., Europe, and China, the goal is to enter the market through technology transfer.

 

The company plans to out-license the drug to companies with local clinical and new drug approval experience.

 

In the U.S.

 

market, the largest, a local Phase 3 clinical trial for the injectable formulation is underway, and U.S.

 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product approval remains a key hurdle.

 

For Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and Russia/Eurasia, the company's policy is to secure regional export partners.

 

It is reported that specific discussions are underway with several companies.

 

During this full-scale global expansion, Daiichi Sankyo Korea's expertise in global clinical trials, approvals, and supply chain management can enhance the company's business credibility in negotiations for technology transfer to the U.S.

 

and Europe, local clinical trial design and operation, and large-scale production and supply planning.

 

Daiichi Sankyo Korea also has a global network, regional subsidiaries, and distribution channels, which could be instrumental in connecting with local partners and verifying distribution networks.

 

It is expected that the company's network will play a crucial role in facilitating communication with local pharmaceutical companies and distributors when searching for regional export partners in areas such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

 

A Vivozon official stated, "We expect this partnership with Daiichi Sankyo Korea, a global pharmaceutical company, to have a positive impact on Unafra's overseas expansion."