Merck Biopharma Korea and LG Chem will comarket Glucophage

Signed an agreement to cooperate on the domestic supply of Glucophage, a treatment for type 2 diabetes

Merck Korea’s quality control capabilities and LG Chem’s sales capabilities to create synergy

(from the left) In-Kyum Hwang, Head of the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Business Unit at Merck Biopharma Korea; In-Cheol Hwang, Senior Vice President of LG Chem’s Primary Care Business Division

Merck Biopharma Korea announced on the 11th that it has signed a partnership agreement with LG Chem to jointly sell Glucophage (metformin hydrochloride), a treatment for type 2 diabetes, in Korea.  Under the agreement, LG Chem will distribute Glucophage to healthcare providers in Korea starting January 1, 2025.

 

Merck Biopharma Korea will continue to hold the marketing authorization.

 

Glucophage is a treatment for type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin, resulting in relatively impaired insulin secretion and elevated blood sugar.

 

Since being first used in the clinic in 1957, it has been in use for more than 60 years and is recommended as a first-line treatment in the world's leading type 2 diabetes treatment guidelines, including the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE).

 

The companies entered into the partnership agreement to expand their presence in the Korean diabetes market through the synergy of Merck's global quality management capabilities and LG Chem's strong marketing and sales capabilities.

 

While LG Chem's Zemiglo product line holds a leading position in the domestic DPP-4 inhibitor market with a 23.8% share (according to UBIST, Q3 2024), the company's strategy is to further strengthen its presence in the diabetes treatment market through the sale of Glucophage.

 

“Based on our close partnership with Merck, we will provide effective diabetes treatment solutions to our customers and further strengthen our market leadership position by continuously expanding our diabetes treatment portfolio,” said In-Cheol Hwang, Senior Vice President of LG Chem’s Primary Care Business Division.

 

“Through our collaboration with LG Chem, we look forward to providing stable and reliable treatment options for diabetes patients in Korea,” said In-Kyum Hwang, Head of the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Business Unit at Merck Biopharma Korea.

 

“Based on our corporate philosophy, ‘As One for Patients,’ we will continue to pursue patient-centric innovation and will continue our endeavors to improve the quality of life for people with type 2 diabetes.”