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- 2026-05-02 10:21:17
- Company
- 'Choline alfoscerate' prescription market continues to grow
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Nov 13, 2024 05:54am
- The cognitive enhancer 'choline alfoscerate (choline products)' has expanded its presence in the prescription market. Choline products' growth slowed earlier this year but rebounded in Q3, further expanding the market size. Although a few companies withdrew from the market due to the risk of failing clinical re-evaluation, the prescription market continued sales boom. According to the pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST on November 11, the outpatient prescription market for choline products totaled KRW 155.3 billion in Q3. It decreased by 0.9% compared to Q3 of last year but increased by 3.0% compared to the previous quarter. Choline products' prescription sales recorded KRW 158.1 billion in Q2 of 2023. Then they went on a downward slide for three consecutive quarters until Q1 this year. In Q2, the sales slightly increased compared to the previous quarter. In Q3, they showed a strong rebound. Choline products' prescription size for Q3 was recorded as the third highest in history. The slowing growth of choline products in the first half of this year is likely due to steep growth in the past few years. The prescription market for choline products recorded KRW 308.8 billion in 2018. Then, it continued to renew the best record every year. Last year, the market amounted to KRW 622.6 billion, expanding more than twice in five years. Quarterly prescription sales indicate a 46.4% increase over five years from KRW 106.1 billion in Q3 of 2019. Outpatient prescription sales of pharmaceuticals containing choline alfoscerate (unit: KRW 100 million, source: UBIST). Even though choline products are under clinical re-evaluation for efficacy evaluation, clinical practices have continued to have a high demand for choline products. In June 2020, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requested companies with choline products to submit their clinical trial documents, and 57 pharmaceutical companies began clinical trials for reassessment. Previously, three indications for choline products had been approved, including ▲secondary symptoms caused by cerebrovascular deficit or degenerative organic brain syndrome ▲emotional and behavioral changes ▲senile pseudodementia. In the re-evaluation process, two out of three indications for choline products were deleted, excluding 'secondary symptoms caused by cerebrovascular deficit or degenerative organic brain syndrome.' Choline products are facing the possibility of reduced reimbursement in addition to the issue of their efficacy. In August 2022, the MOHW issued revised regulations on 'The Criteria and Scope of National Health Insurance,' indicating that patients without prior dementia diagnosis will have a copayment increased from 30% to 80%. After that, two groups of pharmaceutical companies, led by Daewoong Bio and Chong Kun Dang, filed an administrative suit to cancel the MOHW's notification. However, they all lost in the first trial in 2022. Chong Kun Dang also lost in the second trial in May. However, as the suspension of execution filed by pharmaceutical companies has been accepted, reimbursement reductions are on hold. Despite many products being withdrawn from the market after the clinical re-evaluation of choline products, the prescription market continued to grow. According to the MFDS, choline products that received Korean approval total 278 items. Among these, 134 items have been withdrawn from the market due to approval withdrawal or cancelation. Previously, the MFDS ordered the clinical re-evaluation of choline products from 134 companies. 77 companies withdrew from undergoing re-evaluation, resulting in a significant number of withdrawals from the market. More companies that commenced clinical re-evaluation of choline products are withdrawing. In two months from September, Guju Pharmaceutical, Kyongbo Pharmaceutical, PharmGen Science, YooYoung Pharmaceutical, and Medix Pharm voluntarily withdrew choline product approval. Increasing number of companies are exiting the market due to potential retrieval amounts that arise when they fail the re-evaluation for choline products. In 2020, the MOHW issued a national health insurance contract to companies with choline products, entailing 'companies failing clinical trials must return the prescription sales.' Within eight months of the negotiation order, pharmaceutical companies agreed to the term that they would return 20% of the prescription sales from the time they received IND approval to the date of deletion when the indication for the product was deleted due to failed clinical re-evaluation. The retrieval negotiations for choline products are determined by agreements between the MOHW and each pharmaceutical company, resulting in different contract details for each company. While a 20% retrieval rate from prescription sales is commonly applied, the timing of the retrieval rate varies among companies. Sources said that most companies have agreed to increase retrieval rate. For instance, companies may have agreed to set a 10% retrieval rate for this year when they fail the clinical re-evaluation of choline products, then increase to 30% after five years. As the prescription market for choline products continues to grow, companies that agreed to a gradual increase of retrieval rate would end up exponentially expanding retrieval amount due to the market growth. Pharmaceutical companies may have to face increased retrieval amounts as the market for choline products continues to grow if they fail clinical re-evaluation. For these reasons, sources said that more companies are considering exiting the market before completing the clinical re-evaluation. However, analysis suggests that the entire market for choline products continues to grow as other products replace the withdrawn products. Prescription sales by major products indicate that Daewoong Bio's Gliatamin recorded KRW 41.2 billion in Q3, a 4.4% reduction from the previous year. Chong Kun Dang's Chongkundang Gliatirin generated prescription sales of KRW 31.1 billion in Q3, up 10.9% from last year. Arlico's Choliatin recorded prescription sales of KRW 5.1 billion in Q3, a 28.7% reduction from the previous year. Daewon Pharmaceutical's Alfocholine generated prescription sales of KRW 4.9 billion in Q3, down 10.3%. Yuhan's Alfoatilin recorded KRW 3.7 billion, down 16.7% from the previous year. Dongkoo Bio's Glifos' sales increased from KRW 2.7 billion in Q3 of last year to KRW 3.7 billion in a year, up 33.9%. Mother's Pharm's Memoem recorded prescription sales at KRW 1.1 billion in Q3 of last year, then increased to KRW 3.3 billion in a year, an increase of over threefold.
- Company
- Asthma drug 'Monterizine' sales rise despite generic entries
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Nov 12, 2024 05:51am
- Hanmi's asthma treatment, 'Monterizine,' successfully expanded its prescription sales over 10% Year-over-Year (YoY), despite the release of generics. Generic drugs had been listed for reimbursement in October 2023. The analysis suggests that Monterizine's continued sales expansion is because generic prices have not been reduced and, it maintains a strong market presence with its broader scope of use. Prescription sales 14%↑despite generic releases… Monterizine Chewable Tab is the only available treatment for young children According to the pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST on November 8, Hanmi's Monterizine recorded prescription sales of KRW 4.3 billion in Q3, which is an increase of 14% over a year compared to KRW 3.7 billion in Q3 2023. Monterizine is a combination drug containing the asthma treatment, 'Montelukast,' and the third-generation antihistamine, 'Levocetrizine.' Hanmi received approval for 'Monterizine Cap' in May 2017. The following April, Hanmi changed the formulation and received approval for 'Monterizine Chewable Tab' designed to be taken by chewing. After the launch of Monterizine Chewable Tab, prescription sales quickly expanded for the Monterizine series. The combined prescription sales of Monterizine Cap and Monterizine Chewable Tab have increased by 8%, from KRW 7.9 billion in 2019 to KRW 8.6 billion in 2020. It recorded KRW 9.7 billion in 2021, surpassing KRW 10 billion when the sales amounted to KRW 12.4 billion in 2022. Last year, it recorded KRW 15.6 billion, a 21% increase from the previous year. This year, Monterizine is maintaining solid sales. In Q4 2023, it surpassed KRW 4 billion for the first time, generating KRW 4.3 billion to KRW 4.4 billion in sales each quarter. Quaterly prescription sales of the original drug Monterizine (blue) and generics (ligt blue) (unit: KRW 100 million, source: UBSIT). Interestingly, generics of Monterizine were launched in October 2023. Typically, sales of original drug slow down after the generic launches, but Monterizine is following a different trend. The analysis suggests that Monterizine Chewable Tab is showing a strong market presence with its broader scope of use. The scope of use for the original Monterizine Cap and generics to Monterizine are limited to 'adults and adolescents at the age of 15 or older.' Monterizine Chewable Tab is prescribed to 'young children at the age of 6-14.' The analysis is that Monterizine Chewable Tab is widely used in the prescription market, especially because young children require frequent prescriptions in the case of asthma drugs. Drug price has been maintained despite generic releases…the generics formulation is different from the original Additionally, one of the reasons for continued sales of Monterizine is that it remains the same price following the generics' releases. Product photo of HanmiIn September 2021, generics companies challenged four patent cases of Monterizine. In September of the following year, they successfully avoided patents one after another. After losing the first trial, Hanmi appealed to the patent court, but the company soon withdrew. Since October 2023, Monterizine generics have launched. Six products that met the requirement for the highest price by conducting bioequivalence tests became listed at KRW 886 per tablet. 14 products that did not meet the bioequivalence test because they were produced by contract manufacturing organization (CMO) became listed at KRW 753 per tablet. The drug price of Monterizine was not reduced following the generic release. The original drug price is automatically reduced by 30% when generics are released. Monterizine drug price should have been reduced from KRW 886 to KRW 620, but it was not. This is because the generics have been developed in a formulation different from the original. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) reduces the original drug price by 30% in the first year when a product with the same formulation is launched. In the following year, the HIRA further reduces the drug price of the original by 53.55%. In this case, the 'same formulation' means the active ingredient, administration route, dosage, administration method, formulation, and efficacy·effects are matched. The original Monterizine is available in capsules and chewable tablets. Generic products received approval as tablets. The government analyzed that the generics are not in the same formulation as the original Monterizine. Therefore, the drug price of the original was maintained at KRW 886.
- Company
- 'Vabysmo' for macular deg associated RVO indication expected
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Nov 12, 2024 05:51am
- Product photo of Vabysmo.The first bispecific antibody for eye diseases, 'Vabysmo,' is soon to be approved in South Korea for its indication of treating macular degeneration associated retinal vein occlusion (RVO). According to industry sources, Roche Korea's Vabysmo (faricimab) is being reviewed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its indication expansion. It is expected to be approved within the year. For RVO indication, it received the U.S. FDA approval in October 2023. Attention has been drawn to Vabysmo, a treatment for macular degeneration because it significantly extended the administration interval compared to Bayer's 'Eylea (aflibercept), which has been the standard therapy. In South Korea, Vabysmo's prescription became available after it was approved for reimbursement listing for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetes-related macular edema (DME) in October last year. Existing macular degeneration drugs used in South Korea are vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) drugs such as Novartis' 'Lucentis (ranibizumab),' 'Beovu (brolucizumab),' and Eylea. Unlike existing VEGF drugs, like Lucentis and Eylea, Vabysmo can also block the angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) pathway, thus inhibiting new blood vessel formation. The analysis suggests that blocking two independent pathways can more effectively stabilize blood vessels and reduce inflammation, abnormal vessel growth, and fluid leakage than the VEGF-A pathway alone. RVO is Vabysmo's third indication. Its efficacy has been confirmed through the Phase 3 BALATON and COMOINO studies. In these two clinical trials, Vabysmo achieved non-inferiority in the patient's vision improvement compared to Eylea. When treated with Eylea, the patients had continual vision improvements from the early stage. The safety profile of the trials was similar to previous study reports. Meanwhile, Vabysmo has seen an increase in sales this year. Its sales for Q1 amounted to 847 million francs, up 88.6% from the previous year. It recorded sales of 947 million francs (about 1.51 trillion won) in Q2, up 86.4% from last year. In Q2, Vabysmo surpassed the sales of the market leader Eylea (about 1.26 trillion won) for the first time.
- CG Invites' personalized cancer vaccine shows promise
- by 강은희 Nov 12, 2024 05:51am
- CG Invites (Co-CEOs Chung In-chul and Oh Su-yeon), a frontrunner in digital genomics-driven drug development, announced groundbreaking preclinical results for their personalized cancer immunotherapy vaccine on the 11th. Cancer vaccines epitomize personalized medicine, harnessing tumor-specific antigens to activate the patient's immune system for targeted malignant cell elimination. With their exceptional safety profile and minimal adverse effects, these immunotherapeutics are positioned as leading candidates for next-generation cancer treatment. The field has garnered global attention following Moderna's encouraging clinical outcomes for their melanoma vaccine, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2024). CG Invites' Personalized Cancer Vaccine: Activating the Body's Natural Defense System The therapeutic mechanism of cancer vaccines parallels the body's intrinsic immune response pathways. Analogous to how influenza vaccines prime immune responses through viral antigen presentation, cancer vaccines stimulate anti-tumor immunity by exposing immune cells to tumor-specific neoantigens. However, cancer vaccines distinguish themselves through their dual mechanism of action: therapeutic intervention against existing malignancies and prophylactic protection against disease recurrence. Immune cells "programmed" to recognize tumor-specific signatures acquire targeted cytotoxic capabilities against malignant cells, generating robust antineoplastic responses while establishing durable immunological memory for recurrence prevention. The inherent heterogeneity of tumor mutations across patients necessitates individualized vaccine formulations, distinguishing these immunotherapeutics from conventional vaccines. Breakthrough anti-cancer effect demonstrated in mouse model of colon cancer In this preclinical investigation, CG Invites employed their proprietary imNEO algorithm to design cancer vaccines for colorectal carcinoma murine models. The study demonstrated significant immunogenic responses in 19 of 25 neoantigens (76% response rate). This represents a 2.8-fold enhancement over current industry benchmarks (approximately 20%) established by global leaders. CG Invites also conducted tumor growth inhibition tests by stratifying 25 tumor-specific neoantigens into 5 distinct groups. Results demonstrated complete tumor stasis in two groups and partial growth suppression in the other two groups. These findings validate the therapeutic efficacy of CG Invites' identified tumor-specific neoantigens in mediating tumor growth inhibition. Future combinatorial application of all 25 neoantigens is anticipated to yield enhanced anti-tumor efficacy. Figure. Immunogenicity and tumor growth inhibition test results using the mouse colorectal cancer model (MC38). AI-Derived Tumor Signatures: The imNEO Algorithm imNEO, developed by CG Invites, is an AI-powered algorithmic platform for precise identification of tumor-specific molecular signatures. This technology integrates 30 distinct immunological parameters, demonstrating unprecedented accuracy across multiple malignancies, including melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal adenocarcinoma, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. These findings transcend mere technical validation, demonstrating effective mobilization of patient immunological responses. This advancement shows promise either as a combined therapy to existing oncological treatments or as a novel therapeutic modality. “Personalized anti-cancer vaccine could be a game-changer in cancer treatment,” said experts Experts also predict that anti-cancer vaccines will revolutionize cancer treatment. Prof. Byoung-chul Cho of the Sinchon Severance Lung Cancer Center evaluated, who developed the global blockbuster Korean drug LECLAZA®, "While interpatient and intertumoral heterogeneity has presented significant therapeutic challenges, personalized cancer vaccines represent a paradigm-shifting therapeutic modality that transcends the limitations of conventional antineoplastic agents. This breakthrough offers renewed hope for both oncology patients and clinical practitioners." Prof. Bhak Jong-hwa of UNIST remarked, "In an era where clinical translation of genomic research remains exceptionally rare, CG Invites' cancer vaccine algorithm represents a landmark achievement, validating the therapeutic utility of genomic research." CEO Chung In-chul emphasized, "These results definitively demonstrate the potential of personalized cancer vaccines to pioneer novel pathways in oncological intervention." He further noted, "We are achieving significant advances in essential mRNA platform development and biomolecular delivery systems. We anticipate completing preclinical studies and initiating human clinical trials in the near term."
- Opinion
- [Reporter's View] Patience is required to foster K-Bios
- by Whang, byung-woo Nov 12, 2024 05:51am
- The performance of the domestic pharmaceutical bio industry is being evaluated with the approaching end of 2024. This year, the increased influence of domestic companies in the fields of biosimilars and CDMOs (contract development and manufacturing) and the technology transfer performance of bio ventures have been positively evaluated. However, there is also a view that the investment in venture firms has slowed down due to the overall stringent investment market and that the government's plans to foster the bio-industry are still fragmented across ministries. This is why the outlook for the domestic bio industry next year is also a mix of concerns and expectations. First of all, the biggest change is the launch of the National Bio Committee, chaired by the president. Although the Bio Health Innovation Committee under the Prime Minister was created last year, the industry has been emphasizing the need for a control tower to comprehensively manage the bio sector, so there are high expectations for the establishment of the top-level national bio policy deliberation body. While there are doubts over to what extent the National Bio Committee will be able to play its role, it is a timely creation as it will be able to address the larger discourse. In addition, the Korean version of ARPA-H, which will begin to kick off next year with the selection of companies, is also a positive bonus for the bio industry. It is also encouraging for the industry as the program is benchmarked after ARPA-H in the US and considers 'process over outcome'. In addition, the expected benefits for the bio industry from the election of Republican candidate Trump as president of the United States are also considered an opportunity for K-Bio to seize. During his candidacy, Trump considered lowering drug prices for new drugs and biosimilars to reduce the burden of medical expenses, and plans is open up the closed domestic market to overseas companies and induce competition. Korean companies will be forced to compete in the global market, but another way of looking at it is that the door will become open to all. Despite this good news, the industry is still arguing that it needs 'time' to foster the industry. While there are domestic pharma and biotech companies that are performing well overseas, it is strictly limited to a few companies. Another limitation is that the government's efforts, such as the National Bio Committee and the Korean ARPA-H project, are still in their early stages. In fact, there is no guarantee that things will go as expected, just as the government's ambitious K-Bio-Vaccine Fund investment project is struggling to raise funds due to low expectations. Government interest is like a double-edged sword. They want to see quick results for their support. For this reason, the industry is emphasizing the creation of an ecosystem rather than a near-sighted view to foster the industry. This is also a challenge for governments, who need to show results, as building ecosystems is vague and hard to visualize. However, relying on a few companies to produce tangible results may not be enough to foster the growth of the entire bio industry. Just as a deeply rooted tree on a solid foundation is not easily shaken, deep consideration of the ecosystem is necessary to establish the bio industry as Korea’s core national strategic business.
- Company
- Generic companies seek early entry into KRW 100 bil Tagrisso
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Nov 12, 2024 05:51am
- Patent challenges to Tagrisso (osimertinib), a non-small cell lung cancer treatment that posts annual sales of KRW 110 billion, are expanding. The companies that have filed patent challenges seek to first evade the product patent, which expires in 2035, and then launch generics early after November 2033, when the substance patent expires. According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 11th, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical recently filed a passive trial on the scope of rights against AstraZeneca for the Tagrisso formulation patent (10-2336378). The patent expires in January 2035. In addition to the formulation patent, Tagrisso has two other patents listed on the MFDS Green List. They are the product patents (10-1410902-10-1422619) that expire in November and December 2033, respectively. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical plans to launch Tagrisso generics early upon expiration of the substance patent in 2033, having first avoided the product patent, which expires in 2035. It is also possible that the company could further accelerate the early launch by taking advantage of the extended life of the substance patent. Prior to Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, Chong Kun Dang filed a patent evasion trial on Tagrisso’s product patent on the 25th of last month. With Kwangdong Pharmaceutical joining the patent challenge within 14 business days of Chong Kun Dang’s filing, the two companies have secured the “file of initial claims” requirement, which is one of the requirements for obtaining first generic exclusivity rights. Separately, Chong Kun Dang is developing a new drug for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The candidate, CKD-702, has a dual antibody mechanism of action that simultaneously targets cMET and EGFR, and is currently in a global Phase 1 clinical trial. Chong Kun Dang’s strategy is to target the NSCLC treatment market by developing both new drugs and generics. According to the drug market research institution IQVIA, Tagrisso's sales in the Korean market were KRW 111 billion last year. This is up 4% from KRW 106.5 billion it had posted in 2022. The sales are expected to have increased significantly since the drug's reimbursement was expanded to cover “first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with certain gene mutations” this year. Leclaza (lazertinib), whose reimbursement was also expanded to first-line treatment along with Tagrisso, generated KRW 22.6 billion in sales last year.
- Policy
- NHIS-Roche enters pricing negotiations for Perjeta’s reimb
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Nov 12, 2024 05:50am
- Roche has started drug price negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service for its breast cancer drug Perjeta (pertuzumab). The negotiations are expected to be held on the drugs whose reimbursement standards were set by the Cancer Disease Review Committee in May. According to industry sources on the 11th, the NHIS recently included Perjeta in its list of drug price negotiation subjects in November. The items subject to drug price negotiation are new drugs, drugs that are not subject to drug price negotiations, and drugs with expanded use. This negotiation appears to be a case of expanded scope of use, as Perjeta was already listed for reimbursement in June 2017. In its May meeting, the NHIS’s Cancer Disease Review Committee set reimbursement standards for Perjeta. Currently, Perjeta is reimbursed for HER2-positive metastatic or unresectable locally recurrent breast cancer. It also applied a 30% coinsurance rate as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. The newly reimbursed indication is for lymph node-positive HER2-positive patients who are eligible for pertuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy. The reimbursement standard was established according to recommendations from the medical community. In December last year, HIRA received feedback from medical associations, including the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Hospital Association, regarding its reimbursement criteria. The proposed item for anti-cancer drugs was then discussed in detail by the TFT and was presented to the Cancer Disease Review Committee in June. In breast cancer, pertuzumab is the only drug for the indication. Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of pertuzumab in patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer. However, in the past, only neoadjuvant therapy with pertuzumab for early breast cancer patients was covered with selective reimbursement, and adjuvant therapy was not covered, so many voices were calling for reimbursement expansions. In that context, the newly set reimbursement standards are an example of access being strengthened through the voice of the field. However, the final expansion of reimbursement benefits will be finalized only after completing negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service. “Recently, the reimbursement expansions proposed by the medical community and academic societies, not pharmaceutical companies, are entering the negotiation stage,” said an NHIS official, explaining, ”We are closely examining the agendas because the measures for sharing those drugs’ financial burden has not been sufficiently discussed yet.” Meanwhile, Perjeta continues to build on its reputation as a blockbuster breast cancer drug that generated KRW 111.3 billion in sales last year, according to IQVIA. Roche recently launched Phesgo, a combination of Perjeta and Herceptin, to continue to expand its share of the breast cancer treatment market.
- Company
- Will Lorviqua be reimbursed as a first-line therapy in KOR?
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Nov 11, 2024 05:49am
- Whether progress will be made in the insurance reimbursement discussions for the ALK antitumor drug Lorviqua is gaining attention. The health authorities recently said they would “promptly start discussions” on the need to expand coverage of the ALK-positive NSCLC drug Lorviqua (lorlatinib) to the first-line. Lorviqua is currently in the process of terminating its risk-sharing agreement (RSA) and has applied for a general listing. Pfizer filed for the general listing shortly after the breakdown of drug price negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service in June, but there was little discussion made on the agenda until recently. At the time, the NHIS said that the drugmaker had expressed its intention to switch Lorviqua’s reimbursement listing status to general listing, which was listed through the pharmacoeconomic evaluations exemption system as an expenditure cap type RSA, but that the switching cannot be discussed as the company’s application falls under extending its reimbursed scope of use. As a result, the negotiations broke down. However, despite the company’s prompt reapplication thereafter, this delay in the simple initiation of the process itself has left patients waiting without reservation. However, this time around, the NA’s criticisms have raised hopes for future developments. The issue is in the regulatory process. Currently, RSA drugs can apply for reevaluation upon the expiry of their RSA term, or start their price-volume agreement negotiations from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service’s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee’s review stage. However, for RSA drug’s reimbursement extensions, no such streamlined track is available. Moreover, since Lorviqua was originally contracted as an expenditure-cap type RSA drug through the pharmacoeconomic evaluation exemption track but is seeking reimbursement through the general listing track, the government having more difficulty shaping the direction. The problem is that the patients are left to suffer the consequences. Regardless of whether the drug’s reimbursement will be extended or not, the government's flexible administration and the will of the pharmaceutical companies would be needed to achieve results. Yool-Seo Cho, Director of the Korean Lung Cancer Patients' Association, said, “We call on the government to actively improve patient access to treatment, including expediting the review of Lorviqua’s reimbursement, so that patients can receive optimal treatment with less emotional distress and financial burden.” Lorviqua was specifically designed and developed by Pfizer to penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB). The drug’s high clinical value as a first-line treatment was recognized in the 5-year long-term follow-up results of the CROWN study that was presented at ASCO. Results showed that Lorviqua reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 81% compared to crizotinib, with 60% of patients surviving without disease progression at 5 years. The risk of brain metastasis progression was reduced in 94% of patients, with only 4 of 114 Lorviqua-treated patients without brain metastases developing brain metastases.
- Company
- Companies copromote products at Hypertension Seoul 2024
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Nov 11, 2024 05:49am
- Pharmaceutical and biotech companies with hypertension drugs have gathered at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th. Industry officials, who set up promotional booths at the Korean Society of Hypertension's fall conference (Hypertension Seoul 2024), distributed pamphlets to doctors at the event and introduced the features of their hypertension drugs. The Korean Society of Hypertension held its 2024 Annual Meeting at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul from November 8 to 9. The event was held on the 3rd and 5th floors of the hotel. More than 40 pharmaceutical and biotech companies set up booths at the event. According to the Korean Society of Hypertension, more than 700 healthcare professionals attended this year’s event, and a separate space was prepared to reflect on the society’s history as the society celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Despite the prolonged strike of doctors that began at the beginning of the year, the total number of participants was similar to that of previous years, said an official from the society. “The number of participants is slightly lower than last year,” the official said, adding, ”I know that other conferences with separate sessions for residents have seen a significant decrease in the number of participants. However, the KSH does not have separate sessions for residents, so there is not much difference.” With so many healthcare professionals attending the event, pharmaceutical companies also eagerly promoted their products at the event. A total of 40 companies set up booths at the event to promote their hypertension drugs. Daewoong Pharmaceutical&Daiichi Sankyo and Boryung&HK inno.N, both Diamond level sponsers, opened the largest booths on the third and fifth floors of the venue. Similarly, the platinum-level participants, Organon Korea, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, GSK, and Yuhan Corp, also set up prominent booths on the third and fifth floors. Notedly, there were booths where two companies were promoting one product at the same time. This is analyzed as a result of the increasing number of co-promotion cases in Korea’s hypertension drug market. Currently, Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Daiichi Sankyo are co-promoting the Olmetec (olmesartan) family, Boryung and HK Inno.N are co-promoting Kanarb (fimasartan) family, Dong-A ST and Celltrion Pharmaceutical are co-promoting Edarbi (azilsartan) family, Handok and Sanofi are co-promoting Aprovasc (irbesartan+amlodipine), and Servier and Kolon Pharmaceutical are co-promoting Acertil (perindopril). Many of these companies organized promotional booths together. For example, Boryung and HK Inno.N set up a large booth at the entrance on the fifth floor of the venue. The two companies had signed a copromotion agreement at the end of last year to jointly market Boryung’s Kanarb Family and HK Inno.N’s K-CAB. As a result, HK inno.N has been conducting sales and marketing activities with Boryung since the beginning of this year, targeting frontline hospitals. Setting up the promotional booth at Hypertension Seoul 2024 was also part of the companies’ copromotion strategy. In particular, the companies put much effort into this event, participating as a Diamond sponsor, which is the highest level, for the first time. Boryung and HK Inno.N jointly installed the booth as well. An official from Boryung said, “We have been jointly selling the Kanarb Family with HK Inno.N starting this year, so we jointly set up a promotional booth at Hypertension Seoul 2024. We expect it to be more effective than promoting alone. This way, I believe we will be able to create synergy by utilizing each company’s respective strengths.” A representative from HK Inno.N said, “This is the first Hypertension Seoul 2024 event that we have participated in since starting copromoting Kanarb. We actively communicated with Boryung before the conference to come up with a strategy. Together with Boryung, we have been introducing domestic clinical cases of fimasartan to physicians visiting our booth.” Daewoong Pharmaceuticals and Daiichi Sankyo also jointly promoted the Olmetec family on the third floor. They focused on the fact that Olmetec Family, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, is widely used in hypertensive patients with multiple comorbidities. The companies emphasized the effectiveness of Olmetec in controlling blood pressure in elderly hypertension patients, hypertension patients with diabetes, hypertension patients with obesity, and hypertension patients with cardiovascular disease. A company representative said, “We are conducting various campaigns in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the product this year. Many doctors came to the booth to congratulate and encourage us. We plan to build Olmetec’s next 50 years with these supporters.” Dong-A ST promoted Edarbi, which it is co-marketing with Celltrion Pharmaceutical, at the entrance of the third floor. The company emphasized that the azilsartan ingredient of its drug reduced the mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure change more significantly than valsartan. The booths of solo exhibitors also stood out. Hanmi Pharmaceutical promoted Rosuzet and the Amosarrtan family, emphasizing that they are “the No.1 products. On the second day of the event, the company promoted its products during the Luncheon Symposium. GSK attended the Hypertension Seoul 2024 for the first time this year. But interestingly enough, GSK does not own a separate hypertension product. This is in contrast to other companies that have visited the congress with relevant products, such as antihypertensive monotherapy drugs, antihypertensive-hyperlipidemic combination therapy drugs, or a medical device for blood pressure measurement. Nevertheless, GSK didn't just show up, it became a platinum sponsor, the second highest level of sponsorship, and was given a large booth. Instead, GSK promoted its shingles vaccine, Shingrix. GSK emphasized that patients with cardiovascular disease, who are at higher risk for shingles, should be vaccinated with the American College of Cardiology’s recommended dose of Shingrix. “Studies have shown that people with high blood pressure have twice the risk of shingles than people without other medical conditions,” said a GSK representative. The two conditions have a mutually reinforcing effect, with shingles significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. We came to the Hypertension Seoul 2024 for the first time this year to actively relay these points to doctors who often see patients with hypertension.” The representative added, “We know that many of the doctors who attend Hypertension Seoul 2024 are practicing physicians, and we hope that through today's event, more doctors will be able to recognize the importance of vaccinating patients with hypertension and cardiovascular disease with Shingrix.”
- Company
- 'Voranigo' for malignant brain tumor expected to land in KOR
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Nov 11, 2024 05:49am
- Product photo of Voranigo. 'Voranigo,' a new therapy for malignant brain tumors in over twenty years, is anticipated to be brought to South Korea. Sources said that Servier has recently filed an approval application for Voranigo (vorasidenib). Earlier in September, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) assigned Voranigo an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD). Voranigo's indication is to treat diffuse gliomas with an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation. Voranigo targets patients with low-grade gliomas who are vulnerable to IDH1 or IDH2 mutations. This drug is a bispecific inhibitor of IDH1/2, developed by multinational pharmaceutical company Servier. It targets glioma (astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma), a type of brain tumor that is difficult to treat. Voranigo received the final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August and is in the process of getting approved in countries worldwide, including Europe. The efficacy of Voranigo was demonstrated through the Phase 3 INDIGO study. The study results were presented at last year's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The study results showed that in patients with glioma who have IDH mutation, the drug significantly reduced the tumor progression or death risk by 61% compared to the placebo. Voranigo also reduced the risk of requiring further treatments by 74%. The study participants had no history of undergoing treatments other than surgery. Voranigo also showed favorable drug tolerance. Its safety profile was similar to the Phase 1 clinical trial case results. Meanwhile, glioma is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor in adults, and almost all adult patients (grade 2 diffuse gliomas) are likely to have IDH1 or IDH2 mutation. These patients are currently treated with off-label (medicines approved for other uses) instead of officially approved medicines. In addition to Voranigo monotherapy, Servier is currently conducting clinical trials for concurrent use of the drug with MSD's immune checkpoint inhibitor, 'Keytruda (ingredient: pembrolizumab),' in patients with relapsed and advanced gliomas who have IDH1 mutation. The company already has 'Tibsovo (IDH1 inhibitor)' and an IDH2 inhibitor in its IDH inhibitor pipeline.
