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- 2026-04-12 18:23:58
- Policy
- 20 ultra-high-priced drugs over ₩5 mil sold in Korea
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Apr 04, 2022 06:07am
- Survey results have shown that 20 high-priced drugs over ₩5 million are approved for reimbursement 10 years after, Soliris, which had been then the most expensive drug in the world, was listed for reimbursement in Korea With ‘Kymriah,’ the one-shot treatment that was listed for reimbursement on April 1st, recording the highest price at ₩360,030,000, the top 4 drugs with regards to their price were listed by the Moon’s administration. Looking at the price caps set in the reimbursement list, a total of 20 drugs were found to cost over ₩5 million. When lowering the standard to ₩10 million, the number of drugs increased to 84. The drug in 50th place is the PNH treatment Soliris which was listed 10 years ago in 2012. At the time, Soliris’s price was set at ₩5 million per year, sparking heated debate on the reimbursement of the drug. However, 49 more drugs with a higher price cap had been introduced to the market in 10 years. Of course, the price cap cannot determine the cost of each drug as their treatment period differs. For example, Kymriah is administered once in a lifetime, and in this sense, the drug’s ₩360,030,000 is cheaper than the ₩500,000,000 that was set as the annual cost for Soliris 10 years ago. By price cap alone, Kymriah is the only drug priced at the 100 million level. The second in line is the SMA treatment Spinraza, which costs ₩92,350,000. In third place is the neuroendocrine tumor treatment Lutathera set at ₩22,100,000, followed by the immunotherapy cancer drug Yervoy set at ₩14,000,000. Fourth is the stem cell therapy for Crohn’s Fistula, Cupistem at ₩13,490,000. What is unusual is that the top 4 most-expensive drugs on the list were approved for reimbursement under Moon’s administration. As new drugs with better efficacy in rare diseases are being introduced, the fact that the latest drugs have a higher price is, in a sense, natural. Spinraza was listed for reimbursement in April 2019, Yervoy in September last year, Lutathera from March this year, and Kymriah from April, after which the NHI will be supporting most of their costs. Such essential drugs that are ultra-high-priced will continue to be released in the future. The increased number of such drugs can also burden NHI finances, therefore, the government’s concern over effective fiscal sharing will also continue to deepen.
- Company
- Keytruda, the primary treatment for esophageal cancer
- by Apr 04, 2022 06:07am
- Keytruda, an immuno-cancer drug of MSD, has become the primary option in esophageal cancer, where treatments have been limited. The medical team predicted that an immuno-cancer drug-oriented treatment strategy using Keytruda or Opdivo will be established depending on the PD-L1 expression rate. At a seminar to commemorate the expansion of Keytruda indications held online by MSD Korea on the 31st, Sun Jong-moo, a professor of hematological oncology at Samsung Medical Center, pointed out the meaning of the launch of Keytruda in esophageal cancer. He said, "As immuno-cancer drugs appear in esophageal cancer, treatment strategies are changing in the direction of considering using immuno-cancer drugs from the earliest stage possible depending on the PD-L1 expression rate of patients." Professor Sun Jong-moo of the Dept. of Hematology at SMC, who is presenting at the MSD Online Seminar in KoreaOn the 7th, the MFDS expanded indications for Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy in metastatic esophageal cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer, which cannot be operated. Keytruda is the first immuno-cancer drug to be released in the primary treatment. Keytruda targets patients with positive PD-L1 expression. Esophageal cancer is largely divided into squamous epithelial cell cancer and adenocarcinoma, of which squamous epithelial cell cancer accounts for 90%. According to Professor Sun, esophageal cancer is considered a very difficult cancer, and if surgery is impossible, it should be treated with chemotherapy. However, when chemotherapy is used, mOS is only about 10 months. Although treatments have developed dramatically in various cancers over the past decade, esophageal cancer has continued for nearly 40 years. Keytruda significantly improved the therapeutic effect through a study on KEYNOTE-590, a licensed clinical trial. The mOS of Keytruda+anti-cancer chemotherapy group was 13.5 months, which was significantly longer than the control group (anti-cancer chemotherapy alone) of 5.5 months. Keytruda reduced the risk of death by 38%. mPFS also reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 49% compared to 5.5 months in the control group to 7.5 months in the Keytruda group. Keytruda previously put forward a distinctly different strategy from BMS's immuno-cancer drug Opdivo, which entered esophageal cancer. Opdivo can be used regardless of the PD-L1 expression rate, but can be used as a secondary treatment in patients who first used chemotherapy. Conversely, Keytruda was limited to PD-L1 positive patients, but acquired the status of primary treatment. Professor Sun said, "The current treatment that can be used in the primary esophageal cancer is a drug that has been used since the early 80s, and the demand for unmet was high." Professor Sun said, "Now that immuno-cancer drugs can be used in the first round, the treatment effect is expected to increase significantly," adding, "Medical staff also experienced that adding immuno-cancer drugs to chemotherapy does not significantly increase side effects, and the experience has been proven by clinical data."
- Policy
- Based on PVA exclusion, the arithmetic average is 90%
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Apr 04, 2022 06:07am
- Drugs subject to PVA with an arithmetic average of less than 90% of the same product group are excluded. Previously, only drugs below the arithmetic average were excluded, but the target was further narrowed to less than 90%. Products with annual claims of less than 2 billion won are also excluded from PVA drugs. Previously, products worth less than 1.5 billion won were excluded, but the revision will expand the drugs subject to exclusion. The NHIS announced on the 28th that it will revise detailed operating guidelines for PVA negotiations to enhance the role of drug expenditure management and promote efficiency in operating the system. The NHIS explained that the PVA negotiation system is a system that adjusts drug prices as the usage increases after listing drugs, and plays a key role in the follow-up management of drug prices. The need to improve effectiveness has been steadily raised, and the guidelines have been revised this time. The revision of the guidelines focused on revising the drugs subject to negotiation (Article 6 of the Guidelines) for efficient operation of the system and financial management. First, in order to select the top drug of the amount of claims excluded due to reasons below the arithmetic average, the rule excluding "less than the arithmetic average" was revised to the "less than 90% arithmetic average" rule. As of 2020, the average claim for drugs subject to PVA negotiations in 2021 was 12.7 billion won, while those subject to exclusion below the arithmetic average were 22.3 billion won, much more than this. Most of the drugs subject to exclusion below the arithmetic mean were between 90% and 100% of the arithmetic mean. An official from the NHIS explained, "In the past, it was difficult to efficiently operate the system by excluding drugs below the arithmetic average price from the PVA negotiations." The revision will revise the existing regulations to less than 2 billion won in order to exclude small claims with low fiscal impact from negotiations. Among the subjects of the 2021 negotiations, drugs in the section between 1.5 billion won and 2 billion won in claims account for 35.6% of the total. Jeong Hae-min, head of the NHIS' Pharmaceutical Management Office, explained, "The revision of the detailed operation guidelines for PVA negotiations will strengthen the follow-up management of drugs that affect insurance finances by strengthening drug management." The revised detailed operation guidelines for PVA negotiations will be implemented from April 1, and they will also be applied to drugs undergoing PVA monitoring and negotiations at the time of implementation of the guidelines.
- Policy
- To commercialize innovative new drugs/supply essential drugs
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Apr 03, 2022 04:25pm
- The MFDS reports discuss ways to become a bio-health powerhouse The Presidential Acquisition Committee Yoon Seok-yeol and the MFDS agreed to systematically support the commercialization of high-tech and innovative medical products and establish a stable supply environment for rare essential drugs with low profitability. The transition committee plans to take the lead in the development of domestic treatments for COVID-19 to establish sovereignty over vaccines and treatments, a major pledge of Yoon Seok-yeol. On the 28th, Yoon Seok-yeol's transition committee's social welfare and culture division made the announcement after reporting to the MFDS. Lim Yi-ja, secretary-general of the MFDS, as well as standing expert committee members Kim Mi-ae and Seo Jung-sook of Ahn Sang-hoon, Baek Kyung-ran, and Kim Do-sik were present in the report. From the MFDS, deputy director Kim Jin-seok, evaluation director Seo Kyung-won, and directors attended. The development of domestic treatment for COVID-19 is a major pledge related to COVID-19 by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol. Yoon promised to expand full national R&D support to establish sovereignty over vaccines and treatments and build a global vaccine hub. It will also come up with policies to open Yoon's pledge, and the MFDS emphasized the importance of ▲preemptive preparation of predictable screening criteria,▲ systematic commercialization support for advanced and innovative medical products, ▲ training of human resources with global level of regulatory response capabilities, and▲ the role of the MFDS to leap forward as a bio-health powerhouse, such as strengthening international cooperation to secure global competitiveness. Discussions on preparation for the outbreak of new infectious diseases were also held. The acquisition committee and the MFDS agreed that rare and essential medical products, which are difficult to supply to the market due to lack of profitability, should play their role in the country. The transition committee said, "We need to discuss with various experts and closely cooperate with related ministries in the stage of reviewing the safety and effectiveness of medical products." The transition committee said, "We should respond quickly with forward-looking judgments in crisis situations such as COVID-19. The MFDS should make efforts to ensure that domestic medical products have international competitiveness."
- Company
- Export of Celltrion/Samsung bioepis exceed ₩10trillion
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Apr 03, 2022 04:18pm
- According to the Financial Supervisory Service on the 1st, four biosimilars, Celltrion Healthcare's Remsima, Truxima, Herzuma and Remsima SC, recorded a total of 1.5694 trillion won in exports last year. It fell 2.0% from 1.616 trillion won in 2020, but exceeded 1 trillion won for the third consecutive year from 2019. Celltrion Healthcare is an affiliate of Celltrion, and Celltrion Healthcare Holdings is the largest shareholder (24.3% stake). Celltrion Healthcare receives antibody biosimilar products from Celltrion and sells them to global retailers. Celltrion Healthcare sells four biosimilars, Remsima, Truxima, Herzuma and Remsima SC, in overseas markets. Remsima's original drug is Janssen's Remicade. Remsima SC is Remsima's injection formulation. Truxima and Herzuma are biosimilars from Mabthera and Herceptin, respectively. According to last year's export performance by item, Remsima recorded the largest export amount of 809.6 billion won. It recorded the highest export performance ever, up 31.1% from 617.4 billion won in 2020. Remsima SC exported 89.6 billion won last year, up 157.3% from the previous year. Remsima and Remsima SC collaborated on a total of 899.2 billion won in exports last year. Remsima is the first biosimilar product approved in 2012. Remsima recorded the largest export of Celltrion's biosimilars every year, with Truxima leading the way with 786.8 billion won in 2019. However, Remsima beat Truxima last year, re-establishing its lead in exports. Truxima's exports amounted to 459.1 billion won last year, down 41.6% from the previous year. The company explains that sales have decreased due to temporary supply schedule adjustments. Celltrion Healthcare started selling Truxima in the U.S. in 2020. At this time, Truxima's supply decreased relatively last year as U.S. sales partners supplied a large amount of Truxima's launch volume. It is analyzed that growth has slowed down somewhat as competition for biosimilars intensified. Truxima had a 25% prescription share of the U.S. market in the fourth quarter of last year. Truxima had a 34% share of the European market as of the third quarter of last year. Herzuma's exports amounted to 211 billion won last year, up 29.8% from the previous year. Herzuma took the lead in the Japanese market with a 51% share as of the third quarter of last year. However, the European market has slowed down recently. Herzuma had a 19% market share in Europe in the first quarter of 2020, but fell to 13% in the third quarter of last year. Celltrion Healthcare, which was listed on the KOSDAQ market in 2017, has listed its export performance in its business report since 2014. Remsima and Remsima SC recorded the largest export performance of 4.2742 trillion won since 2014. Truxima, which has had export performance since 2017, posted 2.1783 trillion won in cumulative exports, while Herzuma's cumulative exports amounted to 693.9 billion won. Celltrion Healthcare's export performance of four biosimilars recorded last year since 2014 totaled 7.16 trillion won. Samsung Bioepis has also set a new sales record every year since 2016. Samsung Bioepis posted 847 billion won in sales last year, up 9.0% from the previous year. It is the largest since the company was established in 2012. It has continued to grow recently, increasing 129.7% in three years from 368.7 billion won in 2018. Annual Celltrion Healthcare biosimilar exports (unit: 1 million won, data: Financial Supervisory Service) Most of Samsung Bioepis sales occur through overseas sales of its own biosimilar products. Samsung Bioepis succeeded in commercializing biosimilar products of six biopharmaceuticals, including Enbrel, Remicade, Herceptin, HUMIRA, Avastin, and Lucentis. In Europe, all six products have been licensed, and in the United States, five products have been approved for sale except Avastin. Since Samsung Bioepis recorded sales of 765.9 billion won in 2019, its growth rate was only 1.5 % the following year. In the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, the number of drug prescriptions decreased, resulting in a temporary market reduction. Quarterly performance fluctuated as pre-orders from hospitals and wholesalers in Europe occurred with the aim of securing inventory in preparation for the prolonged COVID-19. However, it recovered its growth last year due to the expansion of biosimilar sales in the U.S. and Europe. Samsung Bioepis' biosimilars are sold overseas by its partners Biogen and Organon. Biogen will sell three types of biosimilars for autoimmune disease treatments: Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira in Europe. Organon sells these three products in the rest of the world except Europe and South Korea. In the United States, only Remicade biosimilars are sold. Organon is also responsible for overseas sales of two types of biosimilars, Herceptin and Avastin. The company's five biosimilars recorded a total of $1.255.1 billion (about 1.5 trillion won) in overseas markets last year. It achieved its highest sales, up 11% from $1.125.8 billion in 2020. Sales of biosimilars sold by Biogen reached 831.1 million dollars last year, up 4% from the previous year. Organon sales rose 28% year-on-year to 424 million dollars. Founded in 2012, Samsung Bioepis generated 43.7 billion won in sales for the first time in 2013. In 2016, sales recorded 147.5 billion won as the overseas expansion of biosimilars began in earnest, and has continued to grow every year since then. Samsung Bioepis has recorded cumulative sales of 3.3649 trillion won since its launch in 2012. Most of Samsung Bioepis' sales come from overseas sales of biosimilars or profits from technology fees. Domestic sales are insignificant. According to IQVIA, a pharmaceutical research firm, Samsung Bioepis' sales of five biosimilars totaled only 13.2 billion won last year. Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis biosimilars have collaborated on exports of a total of more than 10 trillion won.
- Company
- MS anticancer drug Revlimid, RVD combined therapy benefits
- by Nho, Byung Chul Apr 03, 2022 04:13pm
- BMS Pharmaceutical Korea announced on the 30th that Revlimid (Renalidomide) will be subject to benefits when administered in combination with Bortezomib/Dexamethasone, which is used to treat multiple myeloma patients, from the 1st of next month. The law has proven its superior effectiveness and tolerance compared to current standard treatment through several clinical studies. Random allocation, public labeling, and phase 3 clinical trials (SWOG0777) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma confirmed significant progression-free survival and overall survival improvement compared to conventional RD (Revlimid+dexamethasone) therapy. The median progression-free survival period of the RVD therapy group was 41.7 months, 12 months longer than the 29.7 months of the RD therapy group, and the overall OS median was also statistically significantly improved from 69 months of the RD therapy group. The objective response rate was also significantly higher in the RVD therapy group (82.9%) than in the RD therapy group (72.5%), confirming its clinical usefulness. Even in newly diagnosed patients with polymyeloma with transplantation, RVD therapy showed a higher response rate and deeper response with treatment progress than the current standard therapy VTD (Vortezomib+Thalidomide+Dexamethasone). According to an integrated analysis of four phase 3 randomized control clinical trials, RVD studies (GEM2012, IFM2009) and VTD studies (GEM2005, IFM 2013-04), in comparison between GEM studies, RVD induction therapy confirmed a very good Partial Remission adverse response rate compared to VTD induction therapy. The response rate of very good partial response (VGPR) abnormalities gradually increased, showing 54.5% after three-cycle induction therapy and 70.1% after six-cycle induction therapy, which was significantly higher than VTD therapy throughout the treatment. The results of comparison between GEM studies also showed a higher response rate of VGPR abnormalities and a higher negative rate of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) after transplantation with higher RVD therapy. As a result of the RVD study (GEM2012), the complete response at the end of induction therapy was similar to 34.8% in all patients (458 and 33.4%) and in the cytogenetic high-risk group (92), proving that it can be used regardless of whether it is a cytogenetic risk group. RVD therapy is already the most recommended treatment abroad. The U.S. National Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines, released in 2022, recommends RVD therapy as "preferred regimen, category 1", the highest recommended level in both cases that can or cannot be transplanted when treating multiple myeloma. ESMO guidelines also recommend it as the first choice of therapy (1st option) in all patients with multiple myeloma that can or cannot autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In addition, Revlimid is subject to health insurance benefits when administered in combination with Rituximab in the treatment of previously treated follicular lymphoma (grade 1-3a). Expectations have been high for the application of RVD therapy benefits in the medical field. With the application of this benefits, RVD therapy is expected to become a standard treatment for primary treatment of multiple myeloma. Kim Jin-young, CEO of BMS Pharmaceutical Korea, said, "We are glad that Revlimid's coverage of insurance benefits allows patients with multiple myeloma and follicular lymph nodes to enjoy advanced treatment benefits as soon as possible."
- Company
- Revlimid's reimb extended…maintenance therapy remains
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Apr 01, 2022 06:04am
- The reimbursement standards for ‘Revlimid’ in combination with Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) for multiple myeloma have been extended. However, reimbursement for the drug as a maintenance therapy still remains unaddressed. Starting on April 1st, BMS Korea’s Revlimid (lenalidomide) will receive insurance benefits as part of RVd (lenalidomide+bortezomib+ dexamethasone) therapy. The approval was made 6 months after the agenda passed the meeting of the Cancer Disease Deliberation Committee of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in September last year. However, the maintenance therapy agenda that was deliberated on the same day still remains non-reimbursed. BMS had started the listing process in 2019, but no progress has been made as of yet. Revlimid had been presented for deliberation at the Cancer Disease Deliberation Committee meeting in September that gained attention due to its deliberation of the CAR-T therapy ‘Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel),’ to no avail. From the government’s perspective, there exist concerns on whether they should allocate NHI finances on drugs taken as a sort of ‘preventive measure’ after a patient’s condition has improved. In some parts, the government’s concerns may seem just. Revlimid maintenance therapy is used in patients post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation However, the agenda still deserves consideration. The progression-free survival of the patients that was demonstrated with the use of Revlimid maintenance therapy was 52.8 months, compared to the 23.5 months of the placebo group. This is a twofold difference. Based on the study data, patients who do not receive maintenance therapy after transplantation are required to start second-line therapy much faster. The three-drug combinations used as second-line with Revlimid such as Kyprolis, Empliciti, Ninlaro, and Daralex are relatively high priced. Therefore, delaying the time to relapse through the use of Revlimid as monotherapy may have the effect of delaying the use of the high-priced three-drug combo. In addition, Revlimid’s price has been discounted after its patent expiry, and the price will be further reduced if the reimbursement is extended to maintenance therapy. Hyeon-Seok Eom, Head of the Center for Hematologic Malignancy at the National Cancer Center Korea, said, “It goes without saying that maintenance therapy is important as it prolongs survival and improves the patients’ quality of life. We need to reduce the burden of treatment costs for our patients in Korea as soon as possible by expanding coverage of Revlimid as maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma as it is a well-established option that demonstrated its efficacy through a large-scale clinical trial.”
- Company
- Roche joins in competition for RET-targeted therapies
- by Apr 01, 2022 06:03am
- Following Lilly, Roche has also received approval for its RET targeted anticancer therapy. The entrance of two drugs in a similar period is expected to spark new competition in the RET-targeted therapy market. On the 29th, Roche received marketing authorization for ‘Gavreto (pralsetinib) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Its first indications are for non-small cell lung cancer and thyroid cancer. More specifically, Gavreto was approved for the treatment of adult patients with RET fusion-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, and adult patients with RET-mutated locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer that require systemic therapy. Gavreto is the second RET-targeted therapy to be introduced to Korea following Retevmo. Retevmo (selpercatinib), which was developed by Lilly, received MFDS approval on the 11th. The two drugs have virtually landed at the same time in Korea. By indication, Retevmo’s indication is a bit broader. Compared to Gavreto, whose prescription was limited to adult patients, Retevmo may be used in patients over 12 years of age with medullary thyroid cancer. Also, Retevmo has an additional indication for RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. The two drugs also show a difference in their form of administration. Retevmo is taken orally two times a day and may be taken with or without food as long as it is not co-administered with PPIs. If the drug needs to be taken with antacids such as PPI or H2 receptor antagonists, Retevmo should be taken after a certain period. On the other hand, Gavreto can be taken orally only once a day. However, food intake is prohibited 2 hours before administration and at least an hour after administration. In the LIBRETTO-001 that was the basis of Retevmo’s approval, the ORR of the Retevmo-treated group in patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC without platinum-based treatment experience was 85%, and 79% showed a continued response. In patients with platinum-based treatment experience, the ORR was 64%, and the median DoR was 17.5 months. 10 of the 11 patients had shown objective CNS response for the brain metastasis that around half of the patients experience. Major adverse events included increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), increased blood sugar (glucose), decreased leukocytes, decreased albumin, and high blood pressure. In patients with medullary thyroid cancer, the treatment-naïve patients showed a response rate of 73%, and those with experience 69%. The response rate of Retevmo in RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer was 79%. In the ARROW trial, which became the basis of Gavreto’s approval, Gavreto showed an ORR of 70% in treatment-naïve NSCLC patients. Patients who have been previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and those who received systemic therapy showed a 58% response. In RET-mutated locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, treatment-naïve patients recorded a response rate of 71%, and those with experience 60%. The major adverse events reported included neutropenia, anemia, and high blood pressure. Until now, only chemotherapy was available as an option for cancer patients with RET gene mutations. The introduction of Retevmo and Gavreto in the area is expected to dramatically improve the treatment environment. The scope of application of the drug is also wide. Oncogenic RET gene mutation is found not just in non-small cell lung cancer and thyroid cancer, but also in colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. With the two drugs entering in a similar timeframe, the companies are expected to race to occupy a larger share of the pie. Lilly, which first received approval, has been showing more progress. The company has applied for Retevmo’s reimbursement through the approval-reimbursement linkage system. Lilly is also conducting a Phase III trial on patients with early-stage NSCLC for the use of Retevmo as adjuvant therapy after curative treatment (surgery or radiotherapy).
- Policy
- The MFDS released a national lot release of Comirnaty
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Mar 31, 2022 04:29pm
- The MFDS (Director Kim Kang-rip) announced on the 29th that it has released 299,000 doses of Pfizer's Comirnaty 0.1mg/mL (for 5-11 years old) in Korea. The MFDS conducted Comirnaty test and reviewed the manufacturing and test data of the manufacturer, and confirmed the effectiveness, safety, and quality, and decided to release the national lot according to the standards. Comirnaty 0.1mg/mL (for 5-11 years old) is an mRNA vaccine developed and produced by Pfizer of the United States for the purpose of preventing COVID-19 between the ages of 5 and 11. The previously approved Comirnaty, Comirnaty 0.1 mg/mL and Tozinameran were the same active ingredient, but the dose was reduced to 1/3 (10)) per inoculation. The MFDS expected this national lot release to help prevent children from getting worse due to COVID-19 and seriousness at a time when the number of confirmed children increases and family infections increase. COVID-19 vaccine national lot release information can also be found online on the MFDS' website, COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Information (www.mfds.go.kr). The national lot release is a system in which the state comprehensively evaluates the test results and manufacturing and test results for each manufacturing unit (lot numbers) before vaccines are distributed on the market.
- Company
- Sandoz, launched a muscle relaxation antagonist with Ilsung
- by Mar 31, 2022 04:27pm
- Sandoz Korea announced on the 29th that it signed an exclusive sales partnership with Ilsung on the 28th with muscle relaxation antagonist Sandoz Sugammedex Sodium. According to the agreement, the two companies will start supplying and selling Sandoz Sugamadex on the 13th of next month. The two companies expected that Ilsung's sales know-how, with its superior quality of Sandoz Sugarmadex Sodium, would create synergy. Sandoz Sugarmadex is a muscle relaxation antagonist that was approved by the MFDS in January. It exhibits a reversal effect of neuromuscular blocking induced by Rocuronium or Vecuronium, a systemic anesthetic ingredient. Sandoz carried out the entire production process in Europe, from raw materials to finished products of Sandoz Sugammedex Sodium. The goal is to provide cost-effective treatment options with differentiated quality. As of last year, sales of muscle relaxation antagonists in Sugammedex Sodium ingredients amounted to 46 billion won, an average growth rate of about 19% over the past five years from 2017. Ahn Hee-kyung, CEO of Sandoz Korea, said, "Starting with Sandoz Sugarmadex Sodium, we will build a solid position based on the differentiated quality of Sandoz Korea in the anesthetic field in the future."
