Yuhan’s low-dose atorvastatin combo receives reimb

the rise of low-dose atorvastatin in the market

Heralds the launch of atorvastatin 5mg + ezetemibe combo Atovamibe Tab 10/5mg

LDL-C change rate superior to using each ingredient as monotherapy... minimizes the burden of adverse events

Just as Hanmi Pharm preoccupied the market with its low-dose (2.5mg) rosuvastatin, Yuhan Corp has its hopes for its low-dose (5mg) atorvastatin to do the same.

 

The companies’ strategy is to reduce the risk of side effects while maintaining efficacy with low-dose statins.

 

According to industry sources, Yuhan Corp’s ‘Atovamibe Tab 10/5mg’ will be listed for reimbursement starting on August 1st.

 

The drug is a combination of atorvastatin calcium trihydrate 5mg and ezetimibe 10mg and is the first fixed-dose combination drug for hyperlipidemia that combines 5 mg of atorvastatin with ezetimibe.

 

No other atorvastatin 5mg product – as a combination drug or a single agent- has been listed for reimbursement until now.

 

The atorvastatin+ ezetimibe combination is well known for the original Atozet (MSD Korea).

 

The rosuvastatin+ ezetimibe combo market is estimated to be at KRW 500 billion, and the atorvastatin + ezetimibe combo market about KRW 200 billion.

 

Recently, the popularity of low-dose statins has been rising in this market.

 

In December 2021, Hanmi Pharmaceutical introduced Rosuzet Tab.

 

10/2.5mg which contains rosuvastatin 2.5mg, and fostered it as a blockbuster worth KRW 10 billion a year, after which Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Yuhan Corp, Samjin Pharm, and Shinpoong Pharm joined the market.

 

The rosuvastatin+ ezetimibe combinations were evaluated to be more effective than statin monotherapies while minimizing the risk of side effects such as diabetes and myopathy that arise from the use of existing high-dose statins.

 

Yuhan Corp’s Atovamibe 10/5mg is also similar in concept to the rosuvastatin 2.5mg + ezetimibe combo.

 

The drug demonstrated a superior LDL-C change rate to treatment with atorvastatin 5mg monotherapy and the ezetimibe 10mg monotherapy at 8 weeks.

 

The insurance ceiling price of Atovamibe 10/5mg is KRW 637 and was listed at a price lower than the calculated price.

 

At KRW 637, it is priced at the same level as Atovamibe 10/10mg.

 

Therefore, patients can choose 10/5mg or 10/10mg Atovamibe Tab as their initial dose without burden.

 

Yuhan Corp is also currently the first in Korea to receive approval for an atorvastatin 5mg single-agent drug as well.

 

With those products, Yuhan Corp is expected to bring a sensation as a pioneer in the low-dose atorvastatin market.