Abbott’s Lipidil NT 145mg listed with reimbursement

To compete with Yuhan Corp’s drug

Will be reimbursed from next month. at same price... fierce competition expected

On how GC Corp, which did not apply for reimbursement after being approved for its product that is being manufactured on consignment by Yuhan Corp, will move receives attention

The original developer of the hyperlipidemia treatment fenofibrate will be releasing a 145mg product that can be taken on an empty stomach.

 

This is the second drug to be released, following Yuhan Corp.

 

As such, the two products are expected to compete fiercely in the market next year.

 

According to industry sources on the 26th, Abbott Korea’s Lipidil NT (fenofibrate 145mg) will be listed at a ceiling price of KRW 339 from the first of next month.

 

The price has been set the same as Yuhan Corp’s Fenowell Tab 145mg.

 

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service decided for Lipidil NT’s price to be set at the same level as Yuhan Corp.'s Fenowell Tab 145mg was the only identical drug available and its price had already been adjusted to 53.55% of the original’s price.

 

Although Lipidil NT had been listed later than Yuhan’s drug, its entry is expected to receive attention for being produced by Abbott, the original fenofibrate drug developer.

 

Fenofibrate 160mg tablets are currently mainstream in the market, and the drugs recorded KRW 165 billion in outpatient prescriptions (UBIST) last year.

 

The current market leader, GC Corp’s ‘Lipidil Supra,’ is also a 160mg strength tablet.

 

Lipidil Supra has been developed by Abbott.

 

However, the 160mg tablets have the inconvenience of needing to be taken with the main meal due to absorption issues in the stomach.

 

On the other hand, gastrointestinal absorption of the 145mg tablets are absorbed quicker, and therefore can be taken with or without meals.

 

As the new strength supplemented the shortcomings of existing products, there have been prospects that prescriptions will shift to the 145mg formulation with their release.

 

Due to this element, a fierce competition is expected in the market with Yuhan Corp when Abbott releases Lipidil NT Tab The industry believes the result between the two companies will depend on how well Yuhan Corp preoccupied the market for the 5 months since its reimbursement listing in July this year.

 

However still, it is analyzed that Abbott may quickly absorb the market as the original maker, even though it is the latecomer in the market.

 

If GC Corp, which has already been targeting the domestic market in partnership with Abbott, adds on its support, Lipidol NT’s penetration rate in the market may accelerate further.

 

GC Corp has also been approved for a 145mg product.

 

Its product is Neofeno Tab.

 

The product is being manufactured by Yuhan Corp upon consignment, but unlike Yuhan Corp, the company has not applied for reimbursement.

 

Accordingly, there has also been analysis that GC Corp will collaborate with Abbott in marketing Lipidil NT, just like for Lipidil Supra.