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- 2026-04-30 22:36:07
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- Only Ozempic undergoes DREC review for reimb, not Mounjaro
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 13, 2025 06:03am
- The reimbursement journey for the two diabetes drugs that have recently gained attention as obesity treatments is taking different paths, drawing industry interest. On October 2, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)’s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee reviewed Novo Nordisk Korea’s Ozempic (semaglutide) but did not review Eli Lilly Korea’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide)—which had been widely expected to be reviewed simultaneously. Ozempic received a positive evaluation for reimbursement adequacy and passed the committee. The product had already accepted the “setting a price below the assessed value” condition when it first submitted the application in 2023, but the company had withdrawn the application due to supply issues during price negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service. Given that, many predicted its second review would pass smoothly under the same terms. The interesting part is the non-review of Mounjaro. Typically, when multiple drugs of similar classes apply for reimbursement listing for the same indication, the government conducts reimbursement evaluations for the drugs simultaneously to gain leverage in negotiations. This raises questions about the background and implications of this outcome. Since receiving domestic approval in 2023, Lilly has been under negotiations with the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) for Mounjaro for a considerable period since early 2024. Throughout this process, Lilly has demonstrated confidence that it can prove the cost-effectiveness of Mounjaro by conducting a pharmacoeconomic evaluation based on the efficacy confirmed in the type 2 diabetes field, which was not conducted for Ozempic. Normally, new drugs establish cost-effectiveness through PE analysis and then negotiate prices based on the results. However, in markets like diabetes, where existing drugs have a solid presence and market entry speed is critical, pharmaceutical companies sometimes choose to accept the weighted average price of substitute drugs to hasten the process. But Lilly chose a different path. In the pivotal SURPASS clinical trial, which became the basis for approval, Mounjaro demonstrated statistically superior reductions in HbA1c and body weight compared to all control arms, including semaglutide (1 mg, brand name Ozempic), insulin degludec, and insulin glargine—showing potential for diabetes remission and underlining Lilly’s confidence. Furthermore, at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference held last September, Lilly presented results from the SURPASS-CVOT Phase III clinical trial, which directly compared its GLP-1 receptor agonist Trulicity. This reinforced the data on cardiovascular prevention effects and overall survival improvement. Based on such circumstances, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's (HIRA) decision to submit only Ozempic to the October Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee, rather than both drugs simultaneously, may not necessarily be a negative signal for Mounjaro. For Mounjaro, which has already undergone pharmacoeconomic evaluation, being assessed under different criteria than Ozempic could be advantageous. However, Mounjaro's future is not entirely bright. Korea’s reimbursement framework rarely applies a flexible ICER (Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio) threshold for chronic disease indications, making it difficult for even innovative drugs to gain higher valuation. When Minister Eun Kyeong Jeong, who was appointed as the new Minister of Health and Welfare in the Lee Jae-myung administration last July, agreed to her National Assembly confirmation hearing on the need for policy changes to recognize the innovation of new drugs. She specifically mentioned Trodelvy as the first case of flexibly applying the ICER threshold. It remains to be seen whether the government's policy direction for innovative new drugs and the treatment of new drugs for chronic diseases, such as Mounjaro, will change. A Lilly representative stated, “Mounjaro offers differentiated clinical value compared to existing oral agents, insulins, and GLP-1 receptor agonists. We will continue to collaborate closely with health authorities and stakeholders to ensure that Mounjaro’s innovation can promptly benefit more Korean patients with diabetes.”
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- Will gastric cancer-targeted therapy Vyloy pass CDDC review?
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 10, 2025 06:06am
- Attention is focused on the second attempt for insurance reimbursement of the gastric cancer-targeted anticancer drug Vyloy. According to industry sources, Astellas Korea’s Vyloy (zolbetuximab), a Claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancer-targeted therapy, is currently coordinating its schedule for review by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service’s Cancer Disease Deliberation Committee. The application is expected to be listed on the agenda this month. Vyloy failed to pass CDDC review last February. Astellas resubmitted its reimbursement application in June. Approved in Korea in September last year, Vyloy is the first globally approved Claudin 18.2-targeted treatment, an immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody that binds to Claudin 18.2, a protein expressed and exposed in the stomach. According to the Phase III SPOTLIGHT study that became the basis of Vyloy’s approval, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the combination of Vyloy and mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, fluorouracil) was 10.61 months, compared to 8.67 months for the placebo group. The median overall survival (mOS) was also longer—18.23 months versus 15.54 months in the placebo group. In the GLOW study as well, the combination of Vyloy and CAPOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) achieved an mPFS of 8.21 months, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by approximately 31%. However, Vyloy remains non-reimbursed in Korea. It was listed for discussion at the CDDC in February, but failed to establish reimbursement standards. Additionally, a companion diagnostic issue delayed its launch in Korea until March this year. To use Vyloy, patients must be identified as Claudin 18.2-positive, but the companion diagnostic device (CDx) used for this test was under consideration for new medical technology evaluation. To address this, Astellas began an Early Access Program (EAP) even before approval so that patients in need could use the drug in advance. Currently, 51 patients across 10 institutions are enrolled. Professor Sun-Young Rha, Department of Medical Oncology at Yonsei Cancer Center, commented, “About 90% of metastatic gastric cancer patients are HER2-negative, and there has been a pressing need for new biomarker-targeted therapies. About 40% of HER2-negative patients are reported to be Claudin 18.2-positive, so the emergence of Vyloy, which selectively binds to Claudin 18.2, offers a new therapeutic possibility.”
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- Boehringer wins 'Jardiance' generic trademark dispute
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Oct 10, 2025 06:05am
- Product photo of Jardiance In a trademark dispute over the generic-name trademark for the SGLT-2 inhibitor diabetes treatment, 'Jardiance (empagliflozin),' the original manufacturer has won a ruling from the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (hereafter, the Board). Analysis suggests that the Board's rare decision to rule in favor of the original company was based on the high similarity between the English brand name, 'Jardiance,' and the disputed generic trademark, 'Jadiance.' According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 4th, the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board recently issued a ruling of 'acceptance' in the trademark nullification trial filed by Boehringer Ingelheim against Shinil Pharma. The trademark in question is 'Jadiance,' which Shinil Pharma filed in March 2022. Shinil Pharma applied for this trademark with a focus on generics for both Jardiance and Jardiance Duo. The trademark was registered in August 2023. Shinil Pharma subsequently received a priority marketing authorization for a Jardiance Duo generic under the name 'Jadiance Duo.' However, just two months after the 'Jadiance' trademark was registered, Boehringer Ingelheim filed a nullity action in October 2023. The Board sided with the original manufacturer after approximately two years of deliberation. With generics expected to launch simultaneously after the expiration of the Jardiance substance patent on the 23rd of this month, Shinil Pharma is now unable to launch its generic product under the name 'Jadiance Duo' due to the loss of the trademark dispute. Shinil Pharma must either receive a reversal ruling through an appeal to the Patent Court or secure a new product approval under a different trademark to launch its generic. In this regard, Shinil Pharma holds trademarks such as 'Januglia,' 'Janumetia,' 'Januxr,' and 'Empagl,' which are presumed to be for Jardiance and Jardiance Duo generics, and these are not subject to the current dispute. The ruling is being called exceptional, given the Board's precedents. While global pharmaceutical companies have brought numerous legal actions to protect the trademarks of their original drugs, the Board and the Supreme Court have generally been lenient toward generic companies. More recently, in May, Novartis lost a trademark nullification trial it filed against Elyson Pharmaceutical, arguing that the generic name 'Entrelto' was too similar to its heart failure treatment, 'Entresto.' Similarly, Boehringer Ingelheim filed nullification trials in 2020 against Kwangdong Pharmaceutical's 'Dijenta' and Daewoong Pharmaceutical's 'Traceta' for being too similar to its diabetes treatment, 'Trajenta,' but those trials were also dismissed. Even the trademark dispute between 'Gliatirin' and 'Gliatamin' was ultimately decided in favor of the generic company by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the original company won the latest dispute, which is unlike past rulings and decisions. In this regard, the pharmaceutical industry notes that the Board found a high degree of similarity between Jardiance's English brand name, 'Jardiance,' and Shinil Pharm's 'Jadiance.' The global product name is 'Jardiance.' Both the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the original empagliflozin-containing diabetes treatment under the product name 'Jardiance.' However, when Boehringer Ingelheim introduced the product in Korea, the company obtained product approval under the Korean spelling of "Jardiang" rather than the English pronunciation 'Jardiance.' Despite this, the approved English product name remains 'Jardiance,' identical to the global name. The company's registration with the Ministry of Intellectual Property only includes the Korean name "Jardiang", not 'Jardiance.' In this context, it is also explained that Boehringer Ingelheim only filed a trademark nullification trial against Shinil Pharma's 'Jadiance.' It has been confirmed that Shinil Pharma's 'Jadiance' is the only case currently involved in a trademark dispute with Boehringer Ingelheim over Jardiance and Jardiance Duo.
- Company
- Boryung acquires global rights to Taxotere for KRW 288B
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Oct 02, 2025 06:13am
- Boryung acquired global rights to Sanofi's anticancer drug ‘Taxotere’ for up to KRW 287.8 billion. This investment, approaching KRW 300 billion, secures a revenue stream of approximately KRW 100 billion in annual sales. Boryung announced on the 30th that it has signed a global licensing agreement with Sanofi for the global business of the cytotoxic anticancer drug ‘Taxotere’ (docetaxel), including domestic and international rights, distribution rights, licensing rights, production rights, and trademark rights. The deal is valued at up to EUR 175 million (KRW 287.8 billion). Of this, EUR 161 million (KRW 264.8 billion) will be paid at closing, while the remaining EUR 14 million (KRW 23 billion) will be contingent on achieving certain contractual milestones. Through this acquisition, Boryung will take over the comprehensive business operations of Taxotere in 19 countries, including Korea, China, Germany, and Spain, as well as in Latin America and the Middle East, subject to approval by local regulatory authorities. Once regulatory procedures are completed, Boryung plans to manufacture Taxotere at its Yesan Campus and directly distribute and market the drug in global markets. Docetaxel is listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, and Taxotere is the original brand product of docetaxel. First approved by the U.S. FDA in 1995, Taxotere has been widely used for the treatment of various solid tumors, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and head & neck cancers. According to Sanofi, the product generated global sales of EUR 70 million (KRW 115.4 billion) last year. Even today, the clinical utility of Taxotere continues to expand, particularly in combination therapies, reinforcing its role as a key component in global cancer treatment. A Boryung representative explained, “Although the paradigm in oncology is shifting toward targeted and immuno-oncology therapies, cytotoxic agents remain a fundamental backbone of cancer treatment.” Boryung has previously taken over the domestic operations of global original oncology drugs such as Gemzar (2021) and Alimta (2023), successfully transitioning them to in-house production and ensuring stable supply. Boryung aims to advance as a global pharmaceutical company in the field of cytotoxic anticancer drugs through the acquisition of the Taxotere business. A Boryung official emphasized, “In the actual global market, repeated stockouts and supply disruptions of cytotoxic anticancer drugs are impacting patient treatment. Through this acquisition of the Taxotere global business, we plan to expand our differentiated portfolio in the cytotoxic anticancer drug field by stably establishing the global supply chain for these essential medicines, whose importance has grown.” Jeong-Gyun Kim, CEO of Boryung, said, “Boryung has gone beyond simple product acquisitions, internalizing manufacturing and formulation improvements to secure sustainable competitiveness. The Taxotere global business acquisition marks not only our third anticancer drug takeover after Gemzar and Alimta, but also the first time we have acquired global rights to an original medicine, paving the way for full-scale overseas expansion.” Kim added, “We will advance Taxotere's therapeutic value by expanding beyond simple technology transfer into comprehensive R&D, including follow-up formulation development, combination therapy strategies, and research into new indications. Through this, we aim to strengthen our differentiated portfolio in the cytotoxic oncology field, directly manufacture and distribute original anticancer medicines on the global stage, and reinforce our future growth engines.”.
- Company
- Severe asthma drug 'Fasenra' enters 'Big 5' gen hospitals
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 02, 2025 06:11am
- Product photo of Fasenra 'Fasenra,' a treatment for severe asthma, is now available by prescription at tertiary general hospitals. According to industry sources, AstraZeneca Korea's Fasenra (benralizumab) passed the drug committees (DC) of 'Big 5' general hospitals, including Samsung Medical Center (Seoul), Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Asan Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, and Sinchon Severance Hospital. Fasenra was included in the insurance reimbursement list in July of last year. The drug can be reimbursed when treating patients with severe eosinophilic asthma who are inadequately controlled despite treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting beta-agonist (ICS/LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Specifically, the following criteria should be met: ▲Within the year before starting treatment, the eosinophil count in the blood was 300 cells/㎕ or higher, and within the first year of treatment, systemic oral corticosteroids (OCS) were required for acute exacerbations four or more times, or within 6 months before starting therapy, systemic oral corticosteroids were continuously administered, or ▲The eosinophil count in the blood was 400 cells/㎕ or higher within the year before starting treatment. Systemic corticosteroids were required for acute exacerbations three or more times within the first year of treatment. Severe eosinophilic asthma accounts for approximately 84% of severe asthma cases. It involves frequent exacerbations and may lead to reduced quality of life despite treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and other conventional therapies. In particular, when symptoms are not controlled, even with asthma controllers, oral steroids may be necessary. However, long-term use of these medications is associated with systemic side effects such as osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Therefore, biological agents are recommended to reduce the dosage of these treatments. Fasenra is a targeted biologic agent that binds directly to interleukin-5 receptor alpha (IL-5Rα) expressed on eosinophils' surface, inducing cell apoptosis. It has been demonstrated to reduce blood eosinophil counts rapidly within one day of administration. Meanwhile, in the results from the global Phase 3 SIROCCO clinical trial, enrolling 1,205 severe eosinophilic asthma patients worldwide, including those in Korea, Fasenra administered at 8-week intervals showed a 51% reduction in annual asthma exacerbation rates compared to placebo after 48 weeks of treatment. In the CALIMA study, Fasenra treatment also resulted in a 28% reduction in annual asthma exacerbation rates compared to placebo.
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- CKD to exclusively sell Bayer’s heart failure drug Verquvo
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Oct 02, 2025 06:11am
- Chong Kun Dang announced on the 1st that it has signed an exclusive sales agreement with Bayer Korea for the chronic heart failure treatment ‘Verquvo’. Under the agreement, Chong Kun Dang will handle the exclusive distribution, sales, and marketing of Verquvo at domestic hospitals and clinics starting this month. Verquvo is a treatment for symptomatic chronic heart failure in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 45%. It is the world’s first soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator approved for chronic heart failure. The drug directly stimulates the nitric oxide–sGC–cGMP pathway, demonstrating efficacy in improving vascular function and enhancing cardiac structure and function. In global clinical trials, Verquvo was shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization due to heart failure in high-risk chronic heart failure patients who had experienced worsening of symptoms despite standard therapy. It is evaluated as presenting a new treatment paradigm for high-risk patient groups, acting through a mechanism distinct from existing neurohormone blockade-centered therapies. Chong Kun Dang and Bayer Korea have been long-standing partners. Since 2005, they have co-promoted antibiotics such as Cifrobay and Avelox, and since last year, they have co-marketed Kerendia, a treatment for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes. In February 2024, Chong Kun Dang also began exclusive sales of Bayer’s progressive hepatocellular carcinoma treatments Nexavar and Stivarga in Korea, further strengthening their partnership. Young-Joo Kim, President of Chong Kun Dang Pharma, said, “Chong Kun Dang has been leading the cardiovascular disease treatment market based on its extensive experience and expertise in the field. With the exclusive sales of Verquvo, we will be able to establish a differentiated portfolio in the field of chronic heart failure treatment and provide patients with broader therapeutic options.” JinA Lee, President/CEO of Bayer Korea, said, “Since Verquvo was reimbursed under the national health insurance in September 2023, it has become a cornerstone treatment for patients experiencing worsening heart failure symptoms. Through our collaboration with Chong Kun Dang, we hope more Korean patients with chronic heart failure can benefit from Verquvo’s proven clinical value.”
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- Servier Korea appoints Olivier Russo as new General Manager
- by Son, Hyung Min Oct 02, 2025 06:11am
- Olivier Russo, new General Manage of Servier Korea Servier Korea announced that it has appointed Olivier Russo as its new General Manager, effective October 1. Olivier Russo, the new GM, is a pharmacist and R&D expert who earned his PhD in Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry from the Université Paris-Saclay in France. Since joining the Servier Group in 2006, he has demonstrated leadership across core R&D functions throughout the entire drug lifecycle—from early-stage discovery of novel drug candidates to technology development, industrialization, and post-approval stages. Since 2022, Russo has served as Global Head of CMC, where he led company-wide strategy and operations. He successfully supported the initiation of clinical trials and regulatory approvals for key pipeline candidates in oncology, neuroscience, and immunology/inflammatory diseases, as well as the full lifecycle management program for cardiovascular and metabolic disease treatments. The new GM said, “Korea not only holds a strong presence in key areas for Servier, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, but is also emerging as a new leader in targeted cancer therapy. As part of Servier's Asia-Pacific R&D hub, Korea is also a strategic center for strengthening the clinical development foundation in the region.” He added, “We will strive to combine the strengths of the Korean market with Servier's global expertise to deliver greater value to patients worldwide, while driving sustained innovation.” Servier is an independent global pharmaceutical group managed by a non-profit foundation. Headquartered in France, it has a strong global presence in over 140 countries. Driven by its mission to advance treatments that meet patient needs, it focuses approximately 70% of its R&D budget on oncology, providing innovative medicines primarily in oncology and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
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- Will Uplizna be reimbursed this time?
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 01, 2025 06:11am
- Discussions have resumed regarding the inclusion of the twice-yearly administered new drug ‘Uplizna’ for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in the national health insurance reimbursement list, which had previously been rejected. According to industry sources, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Korea has resubmitted an application for reimbursement of Uplizna (inebilizumab), a treatment for adult patients with AQP4 antibody–positive NMOSD, which is currently under review by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The drug’s listing process was suspended in October last year during price negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) due to supply issues. At the time, Uplizna accepted the evaluation price set by HIRA’s Drug Reimbursement Review Committee and entered into negotiations. However, no conclusion was reached within the 60-day negotiation period. NHIS attempted to extend negotiations, but the manufacturer was unable to secure a domestic supply, preventing further talks. It remains to be seen whether Uplizna, as a new treatment option for NMOSD, will succeed in being listed this time. NMOSD is caused when disease-specific AQP4 autoantibodies, produced by B cells, bind to AQP4 antigens on astrocytes in the central nervous system, triggering immune responses that lead to neural damage. Uplizna is a novel CD19-targeted humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the CD19 antigen on B cells, depleting those that produce AQP4 antibodies and thereby preventing disease relapse. The safety and efficacy of Uplizna were demonstrated in the N-MOmentum trial, a monotherapy study involving 230 patients without concomitant immunosuppressants. Study results showed that 89% of patients receiving Uplizna experienced no relapse during the 197-day follow-up period, demonstrating a 77.3% reduction in relapse risk compared to the placebo group. Safety assessments also showed a comparable rate of adverse events to the placebo group. Furthermore, in an extension study of this clinical trial, Uplizna continuously reduced the risk of relapse for at least 4 years, with a relapse-free rate of 87.7%. The long-term safety profile demonstrated generally good tolerability, and there was no increase in infection rates due to B-cell depletion. Meanwhile, NMOSD is a serious autoimmune disease in which most patients experience persistent relapses with incomplete recovery, leading to accumulated nerve damage that causes vision loss, gait impairment, and even death from respiratory failure.
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- Will a new market for presbyopia open up?
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Oct 01, 2025 06:10am
- The market for age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) treatment is emerging as a blue ocean for Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Following a series of new drug approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ophthalmic specialized pharmaceutical companies, including Dae Woo Pharmaceutical, OPTUS Pharma, and Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, are accelerating their efforts to introduce and develop treatments for presbyopia. Pilocarpine containing eye drop is expected to treat presbyopia...Dae Woo "We will also conduct clinical trials for expanded indication" According to the pharmaceutical industry on September 30, Dae Woo Pharmaceutical plans to concurrently conduct clinical trials to add presbyopia indication to its recently launched product, 'Pilostar Eye Drops 1%'. Dae Woo Pharmaceutical anticipates that the main component, pilocarpine, will be effective not only in treating glaucoma but also in improving presbyopia. Pilocarpine is a parasympathetic agonist that reduces intraocular pressure by promoting aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork. It also has a mechanism that contracts the iris sphincter muscle. This process reduces the pupil size, creating a pinhole effect that improves presbyopia, a principle similar to how an object becomes clearer when a camera's aperture is narrowed The U.S. FDA has actually approved an eye drop with the same ingredient as a presbyopia treatment. The U.S. FDA approved Vuity (developed by Allergan) as the first presbyopia treatment in 2021. Vuity, a presbyopia treatment with a 1.25% concentration of pilocarpine, improves presbyopia symptoms within 15 minutes of once-daily administration, with effects lasting for about 6 hours. Recent research results presented at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) are also increasing the success potential of pilocarpine-based presbyopia treatments. A research team from the Presbyopia Study Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, presented results from administering pilocarpine-containing eye drops to 766 patients with presbyopia at the ESCRS conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, on September 8. The research team divided the clinical participants into three groups, administering 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations of pilocarpine eye drops, respectively. Administered twice daily at 6-hour intervals, 99% of the group receiving the 1% concentration eye drops (148 participants) were able to read two or more additional lines on a vision test chart. A Dae Woo Pharmaceutical official stated, "We are paying close attention to the research results presented at recent global academic conferences. We are preparing clinical trials to add the presbyopia treatment indication." He added, "The clinical trial is expected to take 2-3 years." U.S. FDA approves treatments for presbyopia one after another…Korean companies, such as Kwangdong and Optus, compete for domestic launch Other pharmaceutical companies are also pursuing treatments for presbyopia. In particular, interest is growing in 'Vizz,' a new active ingredient presbyopia treatment approved by the U.S. FDA last month. This product is an ophthalmic solution with a 1.44% concentration of aceclidine, developed by LENZ Therapeutics, a U.S.-based company. The emergence of a new active ingredient for treating presbyopia has sparked competition among Korean pharmaceutical companies for its domestic launch. It is reported that 3-4 companies initiated discussions with LENZ Therapeutics for the domestic introduction of this product immediately after the FDA approval. (from left) Product photos of Vuity, Qlosi, and Vizz. OPTUS Pharma and Kwangdong Pharmaceutical have also actively pursued the introduction of presbyopia treatments. OPTUS Pharma signed a licensing agreement for the presbyopia treatment 'Qlosi' with Orasis Pharmaceuticals (U.S./Israel) in September of last year. This drug was the second presbyopia treatment approved by the U.S. FDA in October 2023. Its main component, like Vuity, is pilocarpine, but the concentration differs at 0.4%. Its domestic commercialization is expected as early as 2026. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical signed an agreement last January to introduce the presbyopia treatment candidate BRIMOCHOL from the Hong Kong pharmaceutical company Zhaoke Ophthalmology. Through this contract, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical secures exclusive domestic import, distribution, and sales rights for BRIMOCHOL. The original developer is the U.S. biotech company Visus Therapeutics, and global Phase 3 clinical trials have been completed. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical signed an agreement last January to introduce the presbyopia treatment candidate BRIMOCHOL from the Hong Kong pharmaceutical company Zhaoke Ophthalmology. Through this contract, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical secures exclusive domestic import, distribution, and sales rights for BRIMOCHOL. This drug is a combination drug containing carbachol (2.75%) and brimonidine tartrate (0.1%), which alleviates symptoms of presbyopia. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system while simultaneously inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system. Like other treatments, its mechanism improves presbyopia by constricting the pupil. The pharmaceutical industry is focusing on the growth potential of the presbyopia treatment market. Presbyopia is a typical degenerative eye disease in which the elasticity of the lens decreases, making it difficult to focus on near objects. While 70% of adults aged 40 and over experience discomfort due to presbyopia, there have been no dedicated treatments other than vision correction using specialized glasses or contact lenses. The introduction of new drugs in the form of eye drops is expected to become a new alternative to satisfy patients' unmet needs. A pharmaceutical industry official predicted, "Since there have been no treatment options in the presbyopia treatment area, the market presence is expected to be significant when new drugs emerge," and added, "Competition among Korean pharmaceutical companies for new drug introduction and development will intensify in the future."
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- ‘COVID-19 vaccination essential for high-risk groups’
- by Son, Hyung Min Oct 01, 2025 06:09am
- Professor Jacob Lee, Division of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients over the past six months has been about threefold that of influenza, underscoring the renewed importance of vaccination, particularly for high-risk groups. Leading experts pointed out that vaccination not only prevents hospitalization and death but also lowers the risk of long COVID, recommending active participation in the simultaneous flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign starting on the 15th of next month. On the 30th, Moderna Korea held a press briefing at the Novotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19, a global acute respiratory infection since 2019, is now perceived largely as a mild illness thanks to the availability of vaccines and treatments. However, it still poses a threat to certain high-risk groups. High-risk groups for COVID-19 are those requiring special management due to a higher risk of severe illness or death upon infection. These primarily include the elderly (aged 65 and older), individuals with chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, cancer, etc.), and immunocompromised individuals. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has been steadily increasing this year. In the past six months, COVID-19 hospitalizations have been about three times higher than influenza. Experts note that a large proportion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are aged 65 or older, classified as high-risk. In 2024, 19,562 elderly patients (65+) were hospitalized with COVID-19, compared with 6,205 influenza patients—roughly a threefold difference. Because high-risk groups face greater risks of severe disease when infected, vaccination and careful health management remain crucial. Leading experts, including the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, recommend regular updated COVID-19 vaccinations for high-risk groups. This is because immunity acquired through infection or vaccination diminishes over time, and new variants emerge. Professor Jacob Lee of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, “Vaccination not only prevents hospitalization and mortality but also reduces the risk of long COVID by 58% according to reports. COVID-19 is a disease with long-term sequelae. Like influenza, it requires ongoing management.” He added, “COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations will begin simultaneously on October 15. Vaccination this year is necessary to control infectious disease outbreaks next winter.” Sang-Pyo Kim, CEO of Moderna Korea, stated, “We will prioritize the stable supply of COVID-19 vaccines, with the primary goal of protecting high-risk patients, including the elderly aged 65 and above.” Moderna will continue supply of vaccines targeting new variants Francesca Ceddia, Chief Medical Affairs Officer, Moderna Korea Moderna has been continuously supplying vaccines in Korea that target new variants. Recently, a new variant-specific vaccine also received domestic approval. In May, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety authorized “Spikevax LP Inj,” a COVID-19 vaccine targeting the LP.8.1 variant. Spikevax targets the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus. This protein binds to ACE2 receptors in the body, enabling viral entry and causing COVID-19 symptoms. Spikevax's mechanism involves injecting the viral antigen gene in mRNA form, causing the body to synthesize an antigen protein with the same spike structure. This protein induces the production of neutralizing antibodies, preventing the coronavirus from binding to the ACE2 receptor when it invades the human body, thereby neutralizing and eliminating the virus. The newly approved Spikevax LP Inj has shown continued effectiveness in Phase IV real-world data. In clinical studies involving adults aged 12–64 with underlying conditions and seniors aged 65+, neutralizing antibody levels against the LP.8.1 variant increased more than eightfold following vaccination. Francesca Ceddia, Chief Medical Affairs Officer at Moderna Korea, emphasized, “Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to patients worldwide, with both efficacy and safety confirmed. We also observed high immunogenicity comparable to that of the COVID-19 vaccine alone when administered concurrently with the flu vaccine.”
