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- 2026-04-09 06:29:32
- Company
- The DPP4i+SGLT2i diabetes combination drug market
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Oct 23, 2023 05:14am
- Qtern>Zemidapa> Esgliteo, Sugadapa product photo (clockwise from top left) The market for diabetes two-drug combination drugs that combine DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors appears to be growing slowly despite the expansion of combination benefits at the beginning of the year. Since last May, two-ingredient combination drugs have appeared on the market one after another, but the cumulative prescriptions for related products in the five months until last September amounted to only 3.6 billion won. The pharmaceutical industry is paying attention to the possibility that the market will expand, focusing on generic drugs, as the combination drug of dapagliflozin + sitagliptin has been released since the Januvia patent expired in September. The cumulative prescription amount for 5 months: Qtern 1.1 billion won > Zemidapa 1 billion won > Esgliteo 800 million won. According to UBIST, a pharmaceutical market research firm, on the 23rd, the cumulative prescription amount for the two-drug combination of DPP-4 inhibitor and SGLT-2 inhibitor is 3.6 billion won. This market was formed last May with the launch of LG Chemical's Zemidapa, AstraZeneca's Qtern, Boehringer Ingelheim's Esgliteo, MSD's Stegluzan, and Chong Kun Dang's Exiglu-S. In June, Donga ST Sugadapa joined. These are all companies that possess original drugs in the DPP-4 inhibitor series. They began releasing related products last April when the health authorities expanded the combination coverage of diabetes treatments to the 'DPP-4 inhibitor + SGLT-2 inhibitor + Metformin' triple therapy. At that time, the patent for Forxiga, an SGLT-2 inhibitor type diabetes treatment, expired. They developed and released a combination drug by combining their original DPP-4 inhibitor drug with Dapagliflozin or their own SLGT-2 inhibitor drug. In the case of Chong Kun Dang, as it was about to acquire the domestic distribution rights to Januvia from MSD, it was able to release a combination drug of sitagliptin and Dapagliflozin before Januvia's patent expired. Despite the expansion of concurrent benefits, the related market appears to be growing slowly. By month, it is 300 million won in May, 400 million won in June, 600 million won in July, 900 million won in August, and 1.3 billion won in September. Based on the cumulative prescription amount, AstraZeneca Qtern is the highest at 1.1 billion won, followed by LG Chem's Zemidapa (1 billion won), Boehringer Ingelheim's Esgliteo ( 800 million won), Chong Kun Dang's 'Exiglu-S' ( 300 million won), and Dong-A ST's Sugadapa (200 million won ), etc. After Januvia’s patent expires in September, generics enter the market… Will there be a turnaround after the fourth quarter? In the pharmaceutical industry, as DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors have shown high prescription performance in the existing diabetes treatment market, predictions have been raised that combination drugs combining the two ingredients will also rapidly expand the market size. Looking only at prescription performance through the third quarter, it is evaluated that the performance is somewhat below expectations. In fact, the prescription performance of dapagliflozin expanded very rapidly during this period. In the case of dapagliflozin single drug, prescription sales amounted to 20.5 billion won in the third quarter of this year. Compared to the third quarter of last year, it increased by 47% in one year. The price of the Dapagliflozin + Metformin combination increased by 31% from 11.7 billion won to 15.3 billion won during the same period. The key is the prescription performance after the fourth quarter when many combination drugs of dapagliflozin and sitagliptin will be released. This is because, with the expiration of Januvia's patent last month, combination drugs combining the two ingredients are entering the market one after another. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, to date, 89 pharmaceutical companies have received approval for two-ingredient combination drugs. Among these, 14 pharmaceutical companies released products last September, excluding Chong Kun Dang, which holds the distribution rights to Januvia. Many of the remaining 80 pharmaceutical companies are expected to release products after the fourth quarter.
- Policy
- Announcement of dual pricing system
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Oct 20, 2023 05:32am
- The Ministry of Health and Welfare is expected to include the application of a refund-type risk-sharing system for innovative new drugs in the plan to provide appropriate information on the innovative value of new drugs to be announced soon. In order to improve accessibility to rare disease treatments, the company announced its position to carefully review the plan to expand the scope of drugs from children to adults by omitting the submission of economic evaluation data. In the case of reimbursement management for expensive new drugs, we plan to implement policies to minimize uncertainty in financial impact by applying a patient-based performance-based reimbursement system, implementing a prior approval system, and setting standards for discontinuation of medication. On the 19th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare responded as follows to a written inquiry from People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jong-seong on the government audit. ◆Application of the dual pricing system = Regarding the expansion of the refund-type risk-sharing system to prevent Korea from passing and promote the overseas expansion of domestically developed new drugs, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "We are reviewing a plan to improve the drug price system to appropriately compensate for the innovative value of new drugs." We also agreed on the need to ensure profitability and support the overseas export of R&D-invested new drugs, such as conducting domestic clinical trials. In particular, they announced that they will prepare appropriate measures, including the application of a risk-sharing system (dual pricing system), to the extent that they do not conflict with WTO trade issues in order to promote the overseas expansion of domestically produced new drugs and strengthen price competitiveness. ◆ Expansion of drugs subject to PE data = In order to strengthen patient accessibility to new drugs for serious diseases such as cancer and rare diseases, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has revised related regulations since January of this year to allow for rapid listing of new drugs with a small number of patients and clinically proven to improve quality of life. He explained that he is operating it by adding it as a PE omission target. Crysvita, a new drug for the treatment of hypophosphataemic rickets in children, was administered on May 1, an example of rapid reimbursement due to a revised regulation. At the same time, the Ministry of Health and Welfare expressed its position that social discussion is needed regarding the expansion of drugs subject to PE omission to adults and that it should be pursued with caution. It should be taken into account that the PE omission system is an exceptional operation in which the cost-effectiveness evaluation is determined based on the listed price of the excluded country. ◆Improvement of the orphan drug coverage rate = In relation to the improvement of the orphan drug coverage rate, the Ministry of Health and Welfare aims to strengthen coverage of treatments for expensive severe diseases and has launched two items to treat rare pediatric diseases with a life expectancy of less than one year, no alternative drugs, and sufficient improvement effect. They announced that they are conducting a pilot project to simultaneously conduct the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approval evaluation, HIRA reimbursement evaluation, and NHIS drug price negotiation in the second half of this year. It was announced that reimbursement management would be strengthened by applying a patient-based performance-based reimbursement system for high-priced new drugs, implementing a prior approval system, and setting standards for discontinuation of medication to minimize uncertainty about financial impact.
- Company
- LG Chem-BR Pharm signs MOU for HP Vitaran in CHN
- by Lee, Seok-Jun Oct 20, 2023 05:31am
- On the 19th, LG Chem announced it had signed a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BR Pharm, a regenerative medicine technology research and manufacturing company, for the development and approval of its PN (polynucleotide) skin booster 'HP Vitaran' in China. BR Pharm's 'Vitaran', which LG Chem introduced to the Korean market in September this year, is a PN skin booster medical device created from purified DNA extracted from the reproductive cells of salmon fish. PN suppresses cytokines that cause skin inflammation and promotes skin tissue regeneration by proliferating fibroblasts. In a clinical trial for 'Vitaran Eye' that involved 250 Koreans, the treatment significantly improved the wrinkles around the corners of the eyes. Hye-ja Kim, Vice President of LG Chem (head of the aesthetics division), said, "We are focusing on expanding market influence through direct sales in China. For this, we have established an aesthetics sales corporation in China in 2021. We seek to create differentiated customer value in China’s aesthetics market through this reinforced partnership with BR Pharm.” Seok-Sun Kim, CEO of BR Pharm, said, “We will accelerate our entry into the Chinese market based on the synergy between the company’s manufacturing competitiveness and LG Chem’s Chinese aesthetic business capabilities.”
- Company
- Gilead’s TNBC drug Trodelvy is released in KOR
- by Son, Hyung-Min Oct 20, 2023 05:31am
- Gilead Sciences Korea announced on the 18th that it has launched its metastatic triple-negative breast cancer drug ‘Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan)’ in Korea. Until now, Trodelvy has been supplied through the Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center, but from the 18th, Gilead will supply it domestically, and patients will be able to use it with prescriptions at hospitals. Trodelvy, a Trop-2 targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), consists of a monoclonal antibody that binds to the cell surface antigen Trop-2 and a TOP1 inhibitor payload ‘SN-38’ that destroys cancer cells. By targeting only Trop-2, which is highly expressed in various types of cancers, including more than 85% of breast cancers, the cytotoxic drug is delivered with minimal impact on normal cells. Trodelvy was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in May for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Excluding cytotoxic anticancer drugs, Trodelvy is the only treatment approved by the MFDS for the entire patient population, regardless of genetic mutation or biomarker, as a second-line or higher treatment for patients with mTNBC. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) breast cancer treatment guidelines recommend Trodelvy as Category 1 for the second-line or higher lines of treatment of adult patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Jae-yeon Choi, General Manager of Gilead Sciences Korea, said, “We are pleased to provide Trodelvy, which has been shown to significantly improve survival in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, as a new treatment option for those who have been long waiting for an innovative treatment option. We will continue to protect the daily lives of our cancer patients in Korea, including those with triple-negative breast cancer, and strive to not only supply innovative treatments but to also increase disease awareness and improve the treatment environment.” Triple-negative breast cancer is a subtype of breast cancer that is clinically negative for the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) and HER2. It is known to be the most aggressive among breast cancers. It also has a poor prognosis due to its high risk of metastasis and recurrence compared to other subtypes and high risk of metastasis to the brain (30%) or lungs (40%). Its five-year survival rate is only 12%, compared to the 30% in other breast cancer types.
- Opinion
- [Reporter's view]Skill is more important than trends
- by Oct 20, 2023 05:31am
- Recently, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged rapidly in the pharmaceutical industry. ADC is a biopharmaceutical that combines an antibody that binds to a specific target antigen on the surface of cancer cells and a drug (payload) with a powerful cell-killing function. Unlike Roche Kadcyla, which is classified as a first-generation ADC anticancer drug, which only secured indications for breast cancer, the recently launched Enhertu is proving its effectiveness by showing effectiveness in various indications, including breast cancer, stomach cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and colon cancer. In line with this, the domestic biopharmaceutical industry is also challenging the ADC anticancer drug market. Traditional pharmaceutical companies and the bio industry have expressed their intention to participate in ADC development. This is not much different from the previous situation where cancer immunotherapy drug development was popular due to Keytruda. Keytruda, a third-generation anti-cancer immunotherapy drug, is a drug that the domestic biopharmaceutical industry was committed to developing before ADC. It is similar to ADC in that it has fewer side effects and can secure a variety of indications. Many domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies are competing to promote that they are developing anti-cancer immunotherapy drugs such as Keytruda or confirming the effectiveness of new drug candidates by conducting clinical trials in combination with Keytruda. To date, there are numerous stories of confirmed efficacy in preclinical or early clinical trials. However, there is no news that it has entered late-stage clinical trials and is close to commercialization or has achieved notable technology exports. The prevailing assessment is that the domestic biopharmaceutical industry has not yet demonstrated the ability to develop new drugs as much as its willingness to follow trends. Most anticancer drugs from domestic companies, including Leclaza, have failed miserably in the market. It is true that the domestic biopharmaceutical industry, which had not succeeded in developing such a notable anticancer drug, was following the trend and starting to develop ADCs, so it was more focused on whether it was possible than expected. Currently, the industry is following the latest trends not only in ADCs and anti-cancer drugs but also in various areas such as NASH treatments and obesity treatments. It cannot be denied that the research and development (R&D) costs of the domestic biopharmaceutical industry are relatively high compared to global pharmaceutical companies. Accordingly, the industry should not blindly follow trends but rather distinguish between what it can do well, what areas it should challenge, and when it should collaborate. I hope that the true capabilities of the domestic pharmaceutical and bio-industry will be demonstrated, rather than just raising expectations.
- Policy
- Will a new Alzheimer’s drug be introduced in 20 yrs in KOR?
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Oct 20, 2023 05:31am
- New Alzheimer's disease treatments are accelerating their introduction into the country. Following Eisai's application for the approval of its ‘lecanemab’ in June, Lilly also received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to initiate a multinational Phase 3 clinical trial for ‘donanemab’ in Korea. As Biogen applied to introduce 'aducanumab' to Korea in 2021 but withdrew its application for approval due to controversy over its effectiveness, attention is being paid to whether other new drugs may achieve success and make their way into Korea. The MFDS approved Lilly’s Phase 3 clinical trial for donanemab on the 18th. The trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of donanemab inpatients with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. Donanemab is a new antibody drug that blocks amyloid beta plaque accumulation, which is overexpressed in early-stage Alzheimer's patients. The company submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the end of June and is anticipating its approval at the end of the year. In the Phase III trial results that were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in July that observed the intermediate tau population, patients who were treated with donanemab showed that the drug slowed clinical decline by 35% compared to placebo. A clinical trial that was conducted for 76 weeks also confirmed the effect of delaying the progression of Alzheimer's disease. In the donanemab arm, 47% had no disease progression after 1 year, compared with 29% in the placebo arm After applying for FDA approval, the company also submitted data to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. With the approval of this clinical trial, the company is expected to soon begin the approval process in Korea as well. #iLilly had already applied for the approval of its ‘lecanemab,’ which has the same mechanism of action as donanemab, in June to treat mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease arising from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The drug, which was co-developed by Eisai and Biogen, was officially approved by the FDA in July. This is the third application the company has filed in Asia, following Japan and China. Clinical trial results showed that the lecanemab arm recorded a CDR-SB score of 1.21 at 18 months, which is a 27% reduction in clinical decline compared with the 1.66 recorded in the placebo arm. In Korea, no new drug for treating Alzheimer's disease has been approved since Ebixa (memantine) in 2003. Aricept, the original drug of the ingredient donepezil, which is the most commonly prescribed treatment for Alzheimer's disease in Korea, received domestic approval in 2000. The size of the domestic Alzheimer's disease treatment market is estimated to be near KRW 340 billion as of last year. As it has already been 20 years since the first treatment was released, the companies of the 2 new drugs are expected to competitively accelerate entry into the domestic market for market preoccupation.
- Opinion
- [Reporter's view]Promotion of pharmaceutical & bio-industry
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Oct 19, 2023 05:30am
- In the audit conducted by the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee for the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety this year, it was difficult to find policy questions to foster the domestic pharmaceutical and bio-industry. There are still audits from the National Health Insurance Corporation, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the Health Industry Promotion Agency, and a general audit, but it seems that there is not enough time to deal with issues related to the pharmaceutical industry with weight. The Yoon Seok-yeol government has shown a blueprint for creating two global blockbuster-class new drugs and nurturing more than three global-level pharmaceutical bio companies by 2027 while showing its willingness to record 16 billion in drug exports, but the National Assembly's willingness to verify this was weak. On the second day of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's national audit and the day of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's national audit, the problem of vulnerability to the self-sufficiency rate of domestic raw materials and drugs was pointed out, but even this was only proposed as a solution to solve the problem of supply and demand unstable medicines that suffer from long-term out of stock. There were no questions related to the Prime Minister's BioHealth Innovation Committee, which will serve as a control tower to foster the pharmaceutical bio-industry, pointed out the direction of operating the pharmaceutical bio-industry megafund, and no concerns about the reduction of the budget to support the development of the pharmaceutical industry next year. It was difficult to look at the expression of the National Assembly, which is considering the reform of the innovation value compensation drug price system, which is a hot topic for domestic pharmaceutical companies and global pharmaceutical companies, preferential treatment for domestic raw materials, and ways to foster new domestic drugs. It was a pity that it was hard to find a reference to the agenda related to the pharmaceutical and bio-industry in the National Assembly's audit day of the Ministry of Appreciation Day between the Ministry of Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which are in charge of nurturing the pharmaceutical and bio-industry. I feel that I have lost the opportunity to look into whether the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are currently putting into practice their policy vision regarding the development of the domestic pharmaceutical and bio-industry. This national audit is the last audit of the 21st term of the National Assembly. The 21st National Assembly experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and felt the need and importance of securing domestic pharmaceutical, bio, and vaccine sovereignty more deeply than anyone else. During the three years following the pandemic, we continued our national activities, seeing that the pharmaceutical and bio-industry is an industry directly related to national security and a field that needs to be intensively nurtured for the future of the country. The National Assembly's interest in creating an R&D, drug price, and regulatory environment where domestic pharmaceutical bio companies can demonstrate sufficient capabilities in the global market is directly related to fostering domestic industry through policy improvement by government ministries. It's time to encourage the government's measures to foster the domestic pharmaceutical and bio-industry, which have unlimited growth potential during the rest of the national audit period, and to show a level of active interest and expertise that can monitor whether the administration is being carried out according to the promised blueprint.
- Company
- War between the U.S. and Russia spreads Middle East risk
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Oct 19, 2023 05:29am
- Amid bloody conflicts continuing around the world, it was found that there was no direct impact on pharmaceutical export performance. The analysis is that this is because the proportion of pharmaceutical exports to countries in conflict is very small in the first place. However, it is predicted that if the conflict spreads to nearby areas due to the worsening local situation, it will have a significant impact on pharmaceutical exports. The share of pharmaceutical exports to Russia and Ukraine is around 0.8%. According to the Korea Customs Service on the 18th, pharmaceutical exports to Russia and Ukraine as of the third quarter of this year amounted to $33.22 million (about 44.9 billion won). It decreased by 16.1% compared to the same period last year. Last year, $39.61 million was exported through the third quarter. Although the decrease is relatively large, it is analyzed that it did not have a significant impact on Korea's overall pharmaceutical export performance. This is because the two countries account for a very small proportion of the total pharmaceutical export performance in the first place. Total cumulative pharmaceutical exports in the third quarter amounted to $4,255.12 million. Among these, Russia and Ukraine account for only 0.8%. Russia is 0.6% and Ukraine is 0.2%. The share of pharmaceutical exports to these two countries has consistently remained below 1%. The decline in vaccine exports to Australia and Taiwan took a direct hit rather than the Russo-U.S. war. By the third quarter, Korea's total pharmaceutical export amount was $4,255.12 million, a 13.8% decrease from $4,936.4 million in the same period last year. Analysis also suggests that it is difficult to interpret this as a direct effect of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The decline in overall pharmaceutical exports this year is largely due to the sharp decline in the supply of coronavirus vaccines to Australia and Taiwan. In fact, by the third quarter, exports to Australia had decreased by 92.7% from $428.99 million last year to 31.1 billion won this year. In the case of Taiwan, it decreased by 83.3% from $301.04 million to $5.03 million during the same period. In the case of Australia, it accounted for 8.7% of total exports until the third quarter of last year, but this year it shrunk to 0.7%. Last year, it had the fourth largest export volume after the United States, Germany, and the Turkic Republic, but this year it fell to 16th place. The proportion of exports to Taiwan also decreased from 6.1% to 1.2%. In 2021 and 2022, the Moderna vaccine produced on consignment by Samsung BioLogics has been exported to Australia as a vaccine. 10% of exports to the Middle East... Watch to see if the Israeli conflict will spread to nearby areas In this extension, the prevailing view is that the recent Israeli conflict will not have a direct impact on Korea's pharmaceutical exports. This is because pharmaceutical exports to Israel amounted to $3.84 million as of the third quarter of this year or only 0.2% of the total. There is also the prospect that if the conflict spreads to neighboring Middle Eastern countries, it will have a significant impact. As of the third quarter, pharmaceuticals exported from Korea to the Middle East totaled $408.98 million, accounting for about 9.6% of the total. Among these, Turkiye accounts for the majority (71.4%) with $291.92 million, and Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Iraq also account for a significant portion, at around $20 million.
- Policy
- HIRA ‘will discuss reimb obesity treatments with MOHW'
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Oct 19, 2023 05:29am
- HIRA President Jung-gu Kang In response to the claim that obesity should be recognized as a chronic disease and its treatment covered by Korea’s health insurance, President Jung-gu Kang of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service responded that he would discuss the request with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Kang made this announcement at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee’s Health Insurance Service-Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service audit that was held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Rep Hyun-Young Shin from the Democratic Party of Korea said, " Obesity should be considered a chronic disease. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 1 in 3 adults suffer from obesity.” Shin asked, “The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, which recognizes not only severe obesity but general obesity as a chronic disease, claimed the need to provide everything from testing to drug treatment. What does HIRA’s president think about the claim that the whole course of obesity treatment from testing to pharmacotherapies should be reimbursed?” Kang answered “Early treatment is important due to the high follow-up care and treatment costs required for obesity. We will discuss the issue with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.” Shin said, “From a preventive medicine perspective, covering obesity will also help with the financial soundness of NHI finances. Please consider gradually expanding reimbursement for obesity.”
- Company
- Korean new drug cash cows bring in KRW 100 bil in 3 quarters
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Oct 19, 2023 05:29am
- Domestically developed drugs are continuing to show strong performance in high ranks in Korea’s outpatient prescriptions market. Prescriptions of Hanmi Pharm’s combination new drug Rosuzet and HK Inno.N's K-CAB have exceeded KRW 100 billion in just 3 quarters. Daewoong Bio's brain function enhancer Gliatamin also performed well. According to the market research institution UBIST on the 19th, Viatris’s hyperlipidemia treatment, Lipitor, recorded the highest cumulative outpatient prescription amount of KRW 146.8 billion in Q3 this year. Although it decreased by 2.6% compared to the same period last year, it maintained its leading position. Lipitor, which was introduced to the domestic market in 1999, has been in the market for over 20 years. Despite the fierce competition with the entry of around 100 generics after patent expiry, the original Lipitor has been boasting its strong influence over the prescription drug market. Although it continued to exert a strong influence in the prescription drug market despite the entry of its generics after patent expiry, the growth seems to have slowed down recently. Lipitor had posted the most outpatient prescription sales for 5 consecutive years from 2018 to last year. Rosuzet and K-Cap, which were each developed by the domestic companies Hanmi Pharmaceutical and HK InnoN, continued on their high march at the forefront of the market, raising more than KRW 100 billion in just 3 quarters. Rosuzet ranked second overall, recording KRW 130.9 billion in cumulative prescriptions as of last September, a 19.5% increase from the previous year. Rosuzet, which was launched at the end of 2015, is a combination drug for hyperlipidemia consisting of 2 ingredients, rosuvastatin and ezetimibe. Rosuzet is experiencing rapid growth thanks to its market preoccupation strategy and the growing popularity of statin and ezetimibe combination drugs. The preference for the statin/ezetimibe combination drug has been increasing because the combination is excellent for lowering low-density low-protein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cost costs less than taking the two drugs separately. K-CAB's cumulative prescription performance in Q3 was KRW 114.1 billion, up 18.7% from the previous year. K-CAB’s prescription amount in Q3 was KRW 40 billion, up 20.6% YoY. The drug has been recording unceasing growth, rising 88.1% over the past 3 years from KRW 21.3 billion in Q3 2020. K-CAB is continuing to grow rapidly due to its advantages of showing an effect faster than existing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) products and the fact that it can be taken regardless of meal intake. K-CAB’s prescription volume exceeded KRW 100 billion in only the third year since its launch in 2021 and exceeded 100 billion won for 2 consecutive years until last year. This year, it already saved its spot in the ‘KRW 100 billion prescription club’. In addition to being approved for the treatment of erosive and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gastric ulcer, K-CAB acquired 5 additional indications, including as an antibiotic combination therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with peptic ulcer and/or chronic atrophic gastritis, and as maintenance therapy after treatment of GERD. Initially, the drug was granted reimbursement for the GERD and gastric ulcer indication and was additionally granted reimbursement for the other indications. Therefore, its growth rate is expected to continue only increase further. Among domestically developed new drugs, Daewoong Bio’s brain function enhancer Gliatamin’s prescriptions rose 23.5% YoY to record KRW 115 billion to rank third place. Gliatamin’s influence in the prescription market increased despite the difficulties faced due to narrowed reimbursement standards, controversy over its efficacy, and the order to start negotiations on refunded reimbursement claims amount. Chong Kun Dang Gliatirin, which contains choline alfoscerate, also continued its high march, recording a 12.2% YoY rise in prescription amount. Organon Korea's hyperlipidemia combination drug Atozet also made the top ranks with cumulative prescriptions in Q3 of KRW 74.9 billion, up 11.9% YoY. Atozet is a combination drug that combines atorvastatin and ezetimibe. Starting in 2021, more than 100 domestic companies entered the atorvastatin and ezetimibe markets with their generics, Atozet continued to show a solid rise in sales. The drug is being sold by Chong Kun Dang in Korea.
