Korean-made novel drug Kanarb keeps on evolving

Newly indicated to reduce proteinuria in a patient with diabetic chronic kidney disease

The reno-protection effect superior than other competing ARB

Product image of Kanarb

Boryung Pharmaceutical’s star Kanarb (fimasartan) has added a new indication after a decade.

 

Now the drug is indicated to reduce proteinuria in a hypertensive diabetic patient.

 

In the highly saturated market for angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for hypertension, Kanarb has found a new weapon to break through the stagnated growth.

 

Besides the indication expansion, Boryung Pharmaceutical is also seeking for Kanarb combination drug, adding a variety of doses and expanding user age group to drive the prescription growth even after a ten-year anniversary.

 

◆A third ARB to be indicated to reduce proteinuria confirming superior effect than losartan On Jan.

 

6, Boryung Pharmaceutical announced the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) newly approved another indication for Kanarb last year.

 

The new indication is to lessen proteinuria in hypertensive type 2 diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient as an antihypertensive treatment.

 

Now a patient with diabetic CKD can be prescribed with Kanarb.

 

The Korean Society of Hypertension reported 9.02 million patients in South Korea are being treated for their hypertension as of 2018.

 

Among the total patient size, 26 percent, or 2.35 million patients, has a diabetic complication.

 

CKD is the most common complication for a diabetic patient, as two out of ten are suffering from CKD.

 

Because of the medical situation, the healthcare providers primarily prescribe an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) or ARBs to a diabetic CKD patient with hypertension.

 

Prior to Kanarb’s indication expansion, losartan and irbesartan were the only ARB indicated to treat a diabetic CKD.

 

But the new indication has opened a new door for Boryung Pharmaceutical to tap on the potential market of 500,000 patients.

 

The base of the indication expansion, the FANTASTIC study confirmed Kanarb’s effect of reducing proteinuria is significantly better than that of losartan.

 

The Korean company is apparently working on marketing strategy focusing on the indication.

 

◆Ten years in the market, Kanarb keeps developing doses and combination treatments After ten years, Kanarb was able to add another indication.

 

The drug was first approved by MFDS in September 2010 as a first antihypertensive new drug developed by a Korean company and was released to the market in March 2011.

 

Boryung Pharmaceutical also expanded Kanarb’s doses ranging from 30 mg to 60 mg and 120 mg.

 

Moreover, the company released combination drugs like Lacor (fimasartan plus hydrochlorothiazide) in 2013, and Dukarb (fimasartan plus amlodipine) and Tuvero (fimasartan plus rosuvastatin) in 2016.

 

And in February and September last year, the company also launched Dukaro (fimasartan plus rosuvastatin plus amlodipine) and Akarb (fimasartan plus atorvastatin), respectively, to further diversify the Kanarb line-up.

 

In this year, the company is planning to launch a three-substance combination treatment including fimasartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide.

 

The drug is now also available for a wider range of age groups as well.

 

The initially stated caution on the label, ‘no record of administering the drug to a patient aged over 70,’ was removed to provide access of the drug to elderly patients aged 71 and over.

 

The constant expansion of the drug use is the source of prescription volume increase.

 

A pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST reported the Kanarb family has generated 94.3 billion won as of November last year.

 

Combining the December prescription volume, it would have exceeded 100 billion won mark.

 

Kanarb single drug alone has generated 45.1 billion won as of last November, showing a 5-percent growth compared to the previous year same time.

 

Although the drug has been in the market for over a decade, its market presence is still growing.

 

Boryung Pharmaceutical could also shoot for the patent term extension with the new indication.

 

Kanarb’s product patent is to expire in February 2023.

 

If the company adds an indication patent, Kanarb’s patent term would be extended by 15 years to 2038.

 

However, the Korean company official mentioned “The term extension is still under review.”