- LOGIN
- MemberShip
- 2025-12-19 14:19:19
- Company
- Imfinzi enters final price negotiations for reimb in Korea
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 05, 2025 08:33am
- AstraZeneca's ImfinziImfinzi (durvalumab), the second drug to receive a flexible ICER application as an innovative new drug, has entered the final stage of pricing negotiations for expanded reimbursement in Korea.According to Dailypharm coverage, the Ministry of Health and Welfare recently ordered the National Health Insurance Service to negotiate the drug price for expanding coverage of AstraZeneca Korea's ‘Imfinzi (durvalumab) combination therapy for first-line treatment of biliary tract cancer.The Imfinzi combination therapy received a flexible ICER application from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's (HIRA) Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee in October, becoming the second drug to receive a flexible ICER, following the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) anticancer drug Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan).Unlike Enhertu (before the introduction of preferential treatment for innovative drugs) and Trodelvy, which both received ICER benefit in breast cancer, the Imfinzi combination therapy has drawn significant interest from the medical community as it represents the first new treatment option for biliary tract cancer, a disease that has effectively lacked treatment options for the past 12 years.Imfinzi combination therapy is the first immunotherapy-based regimen to change the NCCN biliary tract cancer guideline in 12 years. It demonstrated improved long-term survival, which was difficult to expect with existing treatments, proving its innovation.In the global Phase III TOPAZ-1 study, the Imfinzi combination therapy achieved a 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of 14.6%, more than doubling the survival rate compared to the standard gemcitabine-cisplatin (GemCis) monotherapy (6.9%).The median overall survival (mOS) was 12.9 months, exceeding the control group (11.3 months), with a 26% reduction in the hazard ratio (HR). The characteristic separation of the long-term survival curve for immune checkpoint inhibitors was also confirmed in the long-term follow-up analysis. While the initial analysis showed an HR of 0.80 (20% reduction), the 3-year follow-up improved this to an HR of 0.74 (26% reduction), demonstrating the persistence of the immune response.An AstraZeneca representative explained, “At this DREC meeting, data from the Korean Imfinzi combination therapy, which extended bile duct cancer survival from under one year to three years, served as key evidence considering disease severity and societal demand.Results in Korean patients were even more pronounced. In the Korean subgroup analysis, the Imfinzi combination therapy demonstrated a 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of 21%, a median overall survival (mOS) of 16.6 months, and a 42% reduction in the risk of death, confirming a higher benefit than the global patient population.Considering that the average survival period for patients with advanced or metastatic bile duct cancer is less than one year, the magnitude of benefit observed in Korean patients strongly reinforces the therapy’s innovative value.The evaluation framework for Imfinzi also aligns to some extent with the government's announced direction for reforming the drug pricing system. The government is pursuing measures such as adjusting the ICER threshold to reflect reality. This policy direction aligns with the trend of expanding patient access to innovative therapies like Imfinzi, which has clear survival benefits in high-severity diseases.The remaining step is drug price negotiation. With the NHIS entering negotiations with the company, attention is focused on whether the Imfinzi combination therapy will successfully secure reimbursement in Korea.Factors such as the survival benefit, excellent outcomes in Korean patients, and the absence of alternative therapies are seen as increasing the likelihood of a successful negotiation. However, given the high cost of anticancer drugs, the negotiation is expected to be challenging due to various variables, including fiscal impact.Meanwhile, discussions surrounding Imfinzi's reimbursement are gaining increasing attention, particularly among patient groups and the National Assembly.Patient organizations, including the Korea Blood Disease and Cancer Association and the Liver Disease Patients Association, have consistently criticized the limited access to biliary tract cancer treatments and the need for systemic improvements. Related inquiries were also raised during this year's National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee audit.Rep. Seo Myeong-ok of the People Power Party, a member of the NA Welfare Committee, requested prompt review, stating, “Even though 7 out of 10 biliary tract cancer patients in Korea die within 5 years, improving treatment accessibility remains an unresolved challenge. It is unacceptable that drugs reimbursed abroad remain inaccessible to Korean patients.”
- Company
- 'KRW 1.9T deal with Lilly' Rznomics set to IPO filing
- by Son, Hyung Min Dec 05, 2025 08:33am
- "Rznomics has already secured a global technology transfer deal with a Big Pharma based on our proprietary platform. This year, we signed a platform technology transfer agreement with Eli Lilly in the form of a 'platform deal' with a multi-option structure, involving candidate discovery, upfront payments, research funding, milestones, and royalties at each stage. We believe this is a strong signal that our technology holds global competitiveness in the RNA field."Seong-Wook Lee, CEO of Rznomics, stated this about the company's competitiveness at the Initial Public Offering (IPO) press conference on December 3. The company signed a research collaboration and technology transfer agreement with Eli Lilly for an RNA editing therapy last May, valued at approximately KRW 1.9 trillion. He explained that since Big Pharma conducted extensive internal verification, confirming the technology's effectiveness and safety, the company's platform has been externally validated for its global competitiveness.Seong-Wook Lee, CEO of Rznomics, presenting company's vision at the Initial Public Offering (IPO) press conference on December 3Rznomics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel drugs based on its RNA Trans-Splicing Ribozyme (TSR) platform technology. The company has a unique platform that selectively recognizes and cleaves target RNA associated with a disease, while simultaneously replacing and editing it with therapeutic RNA. A key feature is its ability to act at the RNA level, enhancing safety by avoiding permanent DNA mutations, and its expandability to address multiple mutations with a single therapeutic agent.Lee is an expert with over 30 years of research experience in RNA trans-splicing. He was a core researcher involved in the world's first RNA trans-splicing ribozyme study while conducting RNA function research and RNA-based therapeutic development at Cornell University and Duke University Medical Center in the U.S., resulting in a Nature Biotechnology cover article in 1997. After returning to Korea, he optimized the technology, achieved clinical entry in 2014, and founded Rznomics in 2017 based on this success.Currently, Rznomics is developing gene therapies for diseases with high unmet medical needs, such as glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hereditary retinitis pigmentosa, based on its platform. Key pipelines include ▲the anti-cancer candidate 'RZ-001' ▲the Alzheimer's disease candidate 'RZ-003'▲the hereditary retinitis pigmentosa candidate 'RZ-004.'The company is pursuing a differentiated out-licensing strategy for each pipeline. Regarding RZ-003, Lee stated, "It is currently in the preclinical stage, and we are pursuing technology validation with global pharmaceutical companies through a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), aiming for a license-out before entering the clinic." He added, "Negotiations are also underway for a package deal structure, combining not only a single-asset technology transfer but also a platform deal to develop CNS targets desired by the partner company jointly."Lee said, "For RZ-004, we plan to pursue technology transfer after securing clinical data up to Phase 1/2 Part A in Australia," and added, "We are currently opening data rooms and actively conducting business development meetings with multiple global companies."Lee also provided the background on why Eli Lilly chose Rznomics' technology.According to Lee, Eli Lilly's in-house researchers took the platform and experimented with it for about a year to verify the technology. Eli Lilly selected Rznomics' technology based on its high ratings for: ▲precise gene expression modulation without being excessive ▲the ability to correct multiple mutations with a single candidate, which is crucial for diseases like hereditary hearing loss where mutation patterns vary widely among patients ▲high safety due to minimal off-target editing and no alteration of the DNA.Rznomics plans to list a total of 13,770,379 shares, including 2,060,000 shares for public offering. The offering structure is 100% new share issuance. The desired price range is KRW 17,000 to KRW 22,500. Based on this, the total public offering amount is estimated to be between KRW 35.0 billion and KRW 46.4 billion, with an expected market capitalization ranging from KRW 233.9 billion to KRW 309.5 billion.The company used the Price-to-Earnings Ratio (PER) calculation method within the relative valuation approach to determine the desired offering price. PER reflects a company's profitability, risk, and market assessment. The company calculated its corporate value by considering the net income, total shares outstanding, and benchmark prices of three comparable companies (SK Biopharm, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, and Chong Kun Dang).Rznomics first calculated the present value of its estimated net income for 2027, 2028, and 2029. Instead of simple summation, a 25% discount rate was applied to convert future earnings to current value. The theoretical corporate value was then assessed by multiplying the present value of the estimated net income by the average PER of the three comparable companies (29.58x). An additional discount rate, ranging from 44.46% to 26.49%, was applied to reflect the current market conditions and the valuation trends of recent technology-specific listed companies, ultimately determining the final desired price range.Rznomics plans to use the capital raised from the IPO to accelerate platform development, expand its Research & Development (R&D) pipeline, and identify new candidates for global technology transfer. Specifically, based on the low end of the offering price, the net proceeds (KRW 34.1 billion, after deducting fees) will be allocated as follows: KRW 21.1 billion to R&D costs and KRW 13.0 billion to other operating expenses.Lee stated, "Through this listing, we plan to accelerate the development of our existing pipelines further and focus on commercialization through global technology transfer and clinical entry," and added, "We will continuously establish new pipelines to broaden the scope of application and further strengthen our portfolio based on the scalability of our RNA editing platform."Rznomics conducted demand forecasting from November 27 to today (December 3). It plans to conduct subscriptions for general investors over two days, starting on the 9th, to list on KOSDAQ this month. The lead underwriters are NH Investment & Securities and Samsung Securities.
- Company
- Industry groups voice unified concern over price cuts
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Dec 04, 2025 09:14am
- (From left) Dong-hee Lee, Vice Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association; Young-joo Kim, President of Chong Kun Dang; Jung-jin Kim, Chairman of the Korea Drug Research Association; Yeon-hong Noh, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association; Hyung-seon Ryu, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association; Yong-joon Cho, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical Industry Cooperative; Jae-kook Lee, Vice President of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association.Leaders of pharmaceutical organizations have reached a consensus that the government's additional drug price cuts will inflict significant damage on the Korean pharmaceutical industry.The Emergency Countermeasure Committee for Drug Pricing System Reform for Industry Development, formed by major pharmaceutical groups, including the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, held a meeting at the association on the 27th.This meeting comes just three days after the KPBMA, the Korea Biomedicine Industry Association, the Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association, the Korea Drug Research Association, and the Korea Pharmaceutical Industry Cooperative resolved to join the emergency committee on the 24th.The committee discussed the potential impact of the drug pricing reform based on the details known so far, as the government has not formally announced the plan, and exchanged views on future countermeasures. The government is reportedly preparing to announce a major overhaul of the drug pricing system that will significantly lower the pricing standards for generics compared to current rules.Participants agreed that implementing additional drug price cuts during the industry’s “golden time” for advancing into a global pharmaceutical powerhouse—driven by increased R&D investment—would weaken the nation’s R&D and manufacturing base. They also raised concerns that the reform could increase reliance on expensive imported medicines, thereby undermining national health security.Attendees included the co-chair of the emergency committee, Yeon-hong Noh (Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association), as well as co-vice-chairs Hyung-seon Ryu (Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association), Jung-jin Kim, (Chairman of the Korea Drug Research Association), Yong-joon Cho (Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical Industry Cooperative), as well as committee leaders including Young-joo Kim, Head of the Planning & Policy Committee, and Jae-kook Lee, head of the Public Relations Committee, and executives from the associations and member companies.The committee stated it will continue to deliver rational industry feedback to the government on the proposed pricing reforms and will proactively present practical alternatives to minimize negative impacts on the industry.
- Company
- Keytruda shows benefit in head and neck cancer
- by Son, Hyung Min Dec 04, 2025 09:14am
- The immunotherapy Keytruda has opened the era of early treatment for head and neck cancer by gaining approval as a perioperative therapy.On December 2, MSD Korea held a media session to outline the clinical value of ‘Keytruda (pembrolizumab)’.Last month, Keytruda received expanded approval for use as a perioperative therapy—both neoadjuvant and adjuvant—for patients with resectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Keytruda was previously approved in 2020 as a first-line treatment for metastatic or recurrent HNSCC.Professors Hye Ryun Kim, Hyun Jun Hong, Yonsei Cancer CenterThis expanded approval is significant as it broadens the treatment paradigm, previously centered on traditional palliative approaches (first- and second-line treatment for recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer), to include the preoperative stage. With its confirmed efficacy as adjuvant therapy in the highly recurrent and high-mortality locally advanced patient group, Keytruda’s expanded approval is expected to reshape treatment strategies.The approval is based on results from the Phase III KEYNOTE-689 study in patients with Stage III or IVA HNSCC.In the study, patients received Keytruda monotherapy (2 cycles) before surgery, followed by Keytruda plus radiotherapy (with cisplatin for high-risk patients) for 3 cycles after surgery, and then Keytruda monotherapy for up to 12 cycles.Median follow-up of 38.3 months showed a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression, recurrence, or death in the PD-L1-positive (CPS ≥1) patient group. The median event-free survival (EFS) was 59.7 months, more than double the control group's 29.6 months. The 3-year EFS also showed a gap of over 10 percentage points, with 58.2% in the Keytruda group versus 44.9% in the control group.Although the median overall survival (OS) has not yet been reached, the risk of death was reduced by 28%, confirming the potential for extending survival.Professors Hye Ryun Kim of the Department of Medical Oncology at Yonsei Cancer Hospital emphasized, “Head and neck cancer has a high recurrence rate, no matter how well surgery and radiation therapy are performed. Major immune checkpoint inhibitors, including Keytruda, can now be used preoperatively, leading to an increase in patients achieving long-term survival. Their greatest strength is their ability to prevent distant metastasis and recurrence.”"The need for perioperative therapy options is emerging... “Use of Keytruda will increase.”Head and neck cancer refers to cancers occurring in the oral cavity, pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx), larynx, nasal cavity (sinuses), neck, salivary glands, and thyroid, excluding the brain and eyes. It can develop in over 30 sites in the head and neck region, with tumors originating in the squamous epithelial cells lining mucous membranes—such as the pharynx and salivary glands—accounting for 90% of all cases.Roughly half of HNSCC patients present with resectable disease, but the complex anatomical structures and vital functions around the face limit the extent of surgery, and achieving adequate resection margins is challenging when major organs are nearby.The standard treatment regimen, postoperative radiotherapy, has limited efficacy in improving survival, and even after surgery, it is difficult to completely remove microscopic residual disease.Even in resectable stages, the standard postoperative radiotherapy alone offers limited survival improvement, with 15-50% of patients relapsing within 5 years. Over half of these patients ultimately die, highlighting a substantial unmet need.This has led to continuous demand for neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy to reduce the risk of head and neck cancer recurrence. Preoperative adjuvant therapy can reduce tumor size and eliminate micrometastases, facilitating resection. Postoperative adjuvant therapy can remove micrometastases and contribute to preventing recurrence.Professor Hyun Jun Hong, Department of Otolaryngology at Yonsei Cancer Center, emphasized, “Head and neck cancer surgery can lead to major functional and cosmetic burdens. From an otolaryngology perspective, minimizing recurrence is a priority. When Keytruda was used perioperatively, we saw real benefit. It holds high potential to improve long-term prognosis of patients through synergistic effects with existing treatments.”
- Company
- RNAi therapeutic 'Amvuttra' enters reimb review
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 04, 2025 09:12am
- 'Amvuttra,' an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic, has been put on a test stand for insurance reimbursement entry. According to sources, Amvuttra (vutrisiran), a new drug for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) with polyneuropathy (hATTR-PN), will be considered for the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)'s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) today (December 4). Amvuttra was developed by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and introduced to South Korea by Medison Pharma Korea.Amvuttra obtained an orphan drug designation from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in November 2023 and received final approval last year.Amvuttra is administered once every 3 months and is designed to target and silence messenger RNA, thereby blocking the production of wild-type and mutant transthyretin (TTR).The efficacy of Amvuttra was demonstrated through the Phase 3 HELIOS-A study. In the Phase 3 trial, 164 patients with hATTR-PN and accompanying polyneuropathy from 22 countries participated. Participants were randomly assigned to either a subcutaneous injection group receiving Amvuttra 25 mg once every 3 months (Amvuttra group, 122 patients) or an intravenous injection group receiving 'Onpattro (patisiran)' 0.3mg/kg once every 3 weeks (Onpattro group, 42 patients).Furthermore, the effectiveness of Amvuttra was evaluated by comparison with the placebo group in the APOLLO study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of Onpattro in a patient group similar to that in the HELIOS-A trial.As a result, during the 9-month treatment period, the Amvuttra group experienced less severe neurological damage than the placebo group, and had improved quality of life. Additionally, the 10 Meter Walk Test, which evaluates patients' walking speed and exercise capacity, showed that patients treated with vutrisiran had no change in time. NT-proBNP, a biomarker of heart function, improved.Meanwhile, hATTR-PN, which affects approximately 1 in 100,000 people, is caused by a genetic mutation in the TTR gene. It is characterized by systemic multiple autonomic neuropathy, including symptoms related to the heart, digestive system, and ocular manifestations. Vyndaqel stabilizes the TTR protein.Symptoms typically begin in the lower extremity nerves, where the abnormal protein readily accumulates, presenting as pain, paresthesia, and paralysis before progressing to involve the upper limbs. Complications spread to other organs, including the heart, kidneys, and eyes. The average life expectancy after symptom onset is approximately 7 to 12 years.
- Company
- ‘BMS seeks to redesign growth through open innovation’
- by Son, Hyung Min Dec 03, 2025 08:43am
- Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) defines itself as an ‘open innovation company’ for a reason.Over 60% of the company’s global pipeline now consists of assets sourced through external collaborations, including next-generation platforms such as targeted protein degradation, cell therapy, and radiopharmaceuticals.Steve Sugino, Senior Vice President and General Manager, BMS Asia-PacificSteve Sugino, Senior Vice President and General Manager at BMS Asia-Pacific, recently stated to reporters, “Science knows no borders. BMS goes where the science is.”BMS is one of the global pharmaceutical companies most actively pursuing open innovation and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).The company had faced declining sales due to patent cliffs with the expiry of several major drug patents, including the anticoagulant Eliquis (apixaban) and the blood cancer treatment Revlimid (lenalidomide), and the entry of their generic versions. Furthermore, its global blockbuster immunotherapy drug Opdivo (nivolumab) is also nearing patent expiration.To address this, BMS has expanded its pipeline over the past five years through investments in companies like Karuna Therapeutics (USD 14 billion), RayzeBio (USD 4.1 billion), Mirati Therapeutics (USD 4.8 billion), and SystImmune (USD 8.4 billion).Through its acquisition of Karuna, BMS developed the schizophrenia drug ‘Cobenfy (xanomeline /trospium chloride). It also entered the radiopharmaceutical market by acquiring RayzeBio and plans to develop new anticancer drugs through Mirati and SystImmune.This principle is also evident in APAC. One prime example is the agreement with Orum Therapeutics in Korea.In 2023, BMS paid Orum Therapeutics USD 180 million (approximately KRW 260 billion) and successfully secured its degrader antibody conjugate (DAC) technology.Sugino stated, “Protein degradation is an area where BMS holds a strategic advantage, and Orum's technology had clear global scalability. This is a landmark case of Korean technology becoming a global standard.”Sugino also emphasized that manufacturing and supply chain (M&SC) collaboration with domestic companies is a core pillar of BMS's strategy.He explained, “Amid complex global circumstances, a stable supply chain is an essential competitive capability for global pharmaceutical companies. BMS is strengthening its global supply chain not only through its own production but also through collaborations with Samsung Biologics and Lotte Biologics. Based on the collaborations, BMS is reliably supplying innovative therapies to patients worldwide.”BMS is working to systematically implement its collaborative framework with companies in Korea. One flagship program is the ‘Seoul–BMS Innovation Square Challenge,’ which BMS has operated since 2022. Through this program, companies like Prazer Therapeutics (proteasome inhibitors), Illimis Therapeutics (Alzheimer's disease drug), and Galux (AI-driven protein design) have been selected and are growing, leveraging BMS's global network and commercialization expertise. This serves as an incubator, placing Korean biotech companies on a global growth trajectory.BMS's criteria for evaluating external collaborations are straightforward: scientific excellence, commercial potential, strong intellectual property (IP), and ideally, both first-in-class and best-in-class potential.Sugino advised, “While excellent science is adequate, companies also must further develop global commercialization capabilities. Articulating how science translates into patient value is key to partnering.Organization dedicated to APAC established… BMS's growth axis shifts to AsiaBMS's open innovation strategy and manufacturing/supply chain collaborations ultimately align with the strategic question of ‘where to create innovation and where to execute it.’Sugino stressed, “APAC, which includes Korea, is one of the most dynamic regions, with strengths across science, clinical infrastructure, manufacturing, and commercial potential. Asia’s role will only continue to grow.”This assessment is directly reflected in BMS's global reorganization. In January this year, BMS created a dedicated APAC division through a structural reorganization. Sugino explained, “This strategic realignment was made to support key markets like Korea, Japan, China, and Australia from a closer location.”He explained that this organizational change is not merely a restructuring but the result of a company-wide decision recognizing APAC as the next-generation growth engine. BMS determined that the core APAC countries—Korea, China, Japan, and India—would be the central axis after questioning ‘Where should we invest and where should we expect growth?’BMS is seeking to expand partnerships with domestic companies. Vice President Steve Sugino and BMS Korea Country Manager Hye Young Lee at the Global Open Innovation Week held last month in Seocho-gu, Seoul.APAC has already established itself as a major clinical base for BMS. BMS has set a long-term goal of securing 40% of patients enrolled in Phase III clinical trials from APAC. In fact, Korea is included as a ‘priority country’ across all phases of development, from Phase 1 to Phase 3.Sugino noted, “Korea's medical infrastructure, clinical execution capabilities, and patient accessibility are among the best globally. There is a reason Korea has become an essential region for pivotal trials.”Since 2022, BMS has acquired 8 approvals and 6 insurance reimbursement listings in Korea alone, across key therapeutic areas including solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, and rare cardiovascular diseases.Sugino assessed, “The Korean government and regulatory authorities are making significant contributions to expanding access to innovative therapies. This is an important signal that goes beyond short-term results, earning Korea the trust of global pharmaceutical companies.”However, he clearly pointed out structural challenges. The one-year introduction rate for new drugs is only 5% in Korea compared to 78% in the US, and the health insurance coverage rate is also significantly lower at 22% in Korea versus 85% in the US and 48% in Japan. The average 46-month timeframe from approval to coverage was also highlighted as a problem.Sugino emphasized, "My father also battled cancer. If he had to wait 46 months for treatment, he would have lost his chance. Innovation only matters when it reaches patients in time."Ultimately, BMS’s goal is clear: Deliver innovative therapies to patients with serious diseases faster and more widely. AI-driven R&D, open innovation, and APAC-centric strategies are simply means to achieve that goal, with Korea at the strategic core.Sugino concluded, “BMS exists to discover, develop, and deliver innovation. For these values to be properly realized, we need an environment where new therapies are approved and reimbursed in a timely manner.“Ensuring innovation reaches patients worldwide, including those in Korea, rather than remaining confined to specific countries—that is the challenge BMS must address.”
- Company
- Why JP's distribution giant 'Suzuken' pushes dual innovation
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Dec 03, 2025 08:42am
- The challenges facing Suzuken, the Japanese pharmaceutical distribution giant with annual sales of ¥2.4 trillion (approximately KRW 21 trillion), are similar to those facing the South Korean pharmaceutical distribution industry.Despite the Japanese market being dominated by four major companies, including Suzuken, which controls 80% of the market, these firms face structural difficulties: low operating profit margins coupled with soaring labor and logistics costs.Suzuken's chosen solution is 'Dual Innovation'. The company is aiming for a fundamental change in the industry's structure by combining hardware innovation, such as smart logistics and the Cubixx system, with software innovation, focused on building the COLLABO Portal for healthcare professionals.The distribution giant's experiment to overcome low marginsHeadquartered in Nagoya, Suzuken is one of Japan's 'Four Giants' of pharmaceutical distribution, alongside Medipal, Alfresa, and Toho Yakuhin. They all commonly suffer from chronic low distribution margins, despite their massive size and market dominance. Recently, companies are facing increased labor and logistics costs due to inflation in Japan and the 'Logistics 2024 problem,' which is a regulation limiting working hours for transport workers.Suzuken's sales structure (2024): pharmaceutical wholesale (82.7%), specialty pharmaceutical distribution consignment (10.5%), regional medical·nursing support (3.4%), and healthcare product development (1.9%).As of last year, 82.7% of Suzuken's revenue was pharmaceutical wholesale. However, the company is continuously expanding into areas such as specialty drug distribution consignment (10.5%) and regional medical·nursing support (3.4%), interpreted as efforts to diversify its business.Takafumi Ogawa, Chief Operating Officer of Suzuken's Management Planning Department, explained, "The goal of pharmaceutical distribution is stable supply, but the challenge for sustained growth is overcoming the low operating profit margin," and added, "Suzuken is emplying a dual innovation strategy, by upgrading the core pharmaceutical distribution business through 'Smart Logistics' as well as by installing a new growth engine through 'Digital Healthcare.''Smart Logistics': hardware innovation through integrating manufacturing, logistics, and wholesaleThe first pillar of Suzuken's innovation is the construction of 'Smart Logistics.' This strategy goes beyond simple automation to tie the entire Supply Chain Management (SCM) by integrating manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale into a single flow, thereby maximizing cost efficiency.The 'Metropolitan Integrated Logistics Center,' becoming operational in April of last year, is a result of this hardware revolution. It is the first facility in Japan to house pharmaceutical contract manufacturing facilities alongside pharmaceutical logistics and wholesale logistics facilities in one location. This integration drastically reduces unnecessary transportation steps between the pharmaceutical company's manufacturing·shipping and the distributor's receiving·delivery process, simultaneously shortening lead times, shipping costs, and time.Suzuken's 'Metropolitan Integrated Logistics Center,' becoming operational in April of last yearSuzuken utilizes advanced robotics and image recognition technology to automate processes such as slip entry, inventory organization, and intra-facility delivery. This design enables stable operation with fewer personnel, serving as a practical countermeasure against soaring delivery costs and intensifying labor shortages exacerbated by Japanese limits on driving work hours.Furthermore, the company actively uses the 'Cubixx' system, adopted from U.S.-based Cencora, to enhance inventory management for high-value pharmaceuticals. This system enables data-driven tracking, monitoring, and the recovery·resale of unused 'Inactive Inventory.' Suzuken reported saving ¥5.7 billion (approximately KRW 53 billion) in pharmaceutical disposal costs last year alone through the Cubixx system.Suzuken's automated logistics system using robotsFrom distribution margin to data margin…software evolution through 'COLLABO Portal'The second pillar of Suzuken's innovation is its 'Digital Healthcare' business, whose key strategy is to convert the data secured through its distribution network into value for clinical practice. At the center of this strategy is the dedicated platform for healthcare professionals, the 'COLLABO Portal.'The portal has 380,000 registered healthcare professionals. Suzuken has been digitally reconstructed to include individual doctors and pharmacists utilizing its existing hospital and pharmacy network. The portal acts as a 'data hub,' structuring and delivering necessary information to healthcare institutions and practitioners based on data uniquely secured by the distribution company, moving beyond simple information provision.Through this platform, the initial response time for call center inquiries (e.g., scheduled delivery times) previously handled by phone, fax, and email has been reduced from an average of 30 minutes to 5 minutes. This frees field sales representatives from repetitive tasks, allowing them to dedicate time and capabilities to high-value solution proposals. The role of the sales agents is thus shifting from a 'order taker' to a 'digitally-enabled consultant.'Suzuken's 'COLLABO Portal,' a platform specifically designed for healthcare professionals.The platform is also beneficial to pharmaceutical companies. The COLLABO Portal serves as a channel for drug manufacturers to provide information and digital marketing outreach to medical institutions and practitioners. Suzuken expects this strategy, aiming to generate 'information margin' over 'distribution margin', to be a key component in overcoming its low-margin structure.Suzuken's case is gaining attention for its approach, which reduces cost burdens through automation-based supply chain innovation and establishes new value through a digital platform. This strategy of integrating manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale, along with data utilization, aims to mitigate the inherent limitations of the low-margin distribution industry. Given that the South Korean pharmaceutical distribution sector faces similar structural challenges, including low margins and rising labor·logistics costs, Suzuken's dual innovation strategy is considered a valuable case study for gauging the direction of future industry change.
- Company
- ROS1-targeting 'Augtyro' under consideration for reimb
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 03, 2025 08:42am
- A ROS1-targeting cancer agent, 'Augtyro,' will be considered for the insurance reimbursement listing.According to sources, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Korea's Augtyro (repotrectinib) is expected to be considered for review by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)'s Cancer Drug Review Committee (CDRC), which will be this year's last.The submitted application for listing includes the drug's indication for ▲the treatment of adult patients with ROS-1 positive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ▲the treatment of patients (adults and children aged 12 years and above) with NTRK (Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase) fusions in solid cancers.Augtyro is classified as a next-generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) designed to overcome the limitations of prior treatments. It was approved based on the TRIDENT-1 trial, which included four cohorts of patients with ROS1 or NRTK fusions, assigned to groups based on prior TKI treatment history.The ROS1 data were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), and the latest follow-up results were presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in September. Notably, 58% (41/71 patients) in the patient group without prior therapeutic experience ("no prior experience") and 41% (23/56 patients) in the group with prior therapeutic experience.In the TRIDENT-1 trial, Augtyro demonstrated clinically significant effects in both first- and second-line settings for ROS1-positive NSCLC. Favorable clinical results were reported, including Progression-Free Survival (PFS) of 31.1 months and Overall Survival (OS) of 74.6 months in 'no prior experience' patients, and a PFS of 8.6 months and OS of 25.1 months in patients previously treated with a ROS1-targeting agent.Furthermore, Augtyro has a molecular structure that facilitates penetration of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), showing effectiveness even in patients with brain metastases. The 12-month intracranial PFS rate was 91% in the first-line setting, and the intracranial Objective Response Rate (ORR) was 38%, with a 12-month intracranial PFS rate of 82% in the second-line setting.Although it was a single-arm clinical trial, resultan indirect comparison against approved agents for ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC showed that Augtyro achieved statistically significant improvements in ORR, Duration of Response (DOR), and PFS compared to existing therapies.Based on these clinical results, Augtyro is strongly recommended as a first- and second-line treatment option for patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC in all major guidelines, including NCCN, ESMO, and ASCO.Professor Sang-We Kim of the Department of Oncology at Asan Medical Center stated, "The TRIDENT-1 clinical trial showed superior results compared to existing treatment in both the 1st and 2nd line settings for ROS1-positive NSCLC. The results indicating that the use of Augtyro as a first-line treatment could potentially enable patients to survive for over five years are highly encouraging. We hope it will be added to the reimbursement list so that patients in need can benefit quickly."
- Company
- Antengene's 'Xpovio' passes the DREC
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Dec 02, 2025 12:38pm
- Xpovio (selinexor), an oncology drug and the first product introduced in South Korea by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene"), is entering the final stage for expanded reimbursement.According to sources, Antengene Korea has accepted the condition of 'below the evaluated price' set by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)'s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) on November 6 for the oral Multiple Myeloma treatment, Xpovio (selinexor). The company is currently awaiting the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)'s order for price negotiation.The specific indication for the expanded reimbursement process is: 'In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for adult patients with Multiple Myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.'Designated as an orphan drug in Korea and approved in August of last year, Xpovio is a novel mechanism drug that selectively inhibits the nuclear export protein, XPO1.XPO1 inhibitors are anticipated to be used in combination with other treatments (drugs, etc.) to improve the treatment of various diseases. Currently, five treatments, including Xpovio, are recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.Most Multiple Myeloma cases are characterized by having repeated recurrent/refractory responses to treatment. Similarly, in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) patients who fail systemic therapy, the opportunity for cure or long-term disease-free survival diminishes with each subsequent relapse.Consequently, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective treatments for both relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma and relapsed/refractory DLBCL.However, the final listing of Xpovio for insurance reimbursement is expected to take additional time. Xpovio was submitted to HIRA's Cancer Drug Review Committee (CDRC) in January but failed to secure the reimbursement criteria.The reason for failing at the CDRC is reportedly the failure to meet the required number of launched A7 countries (countries where the drug has been approved and marketed). As a result, the company must monitor the status in other countries before proceeding with a renewed reimbursement challenge.Meanwhile, the efficacy of Xpovio has been demonstrated through two Phase 2 studies: STORM and SADAL.In the STORM study, Xpovio in combination with dexamethasone showed an Objective Response Rate (ORR) of 26% and a Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR) of 39.9% in patients with relapsed or refractory Multiple Myeloma who had received four or more prior therapies.The SADAL study, which enrolled patients with relapsed DLBCL who had received two or more prior therapies, demonstrated an ORR of 28.3% and a Complete Response (CR) rate of 11.8% with Xpovio monotherapy.
- Company
- "First, dual-acting IL-23 inhibitor emerges in KOR"
- by Son, Hyung Min Dec 02, 2025 12:34pm
- "Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not a disorder that ends with improved symptoms. The long-term prognosis can be changed only when endoscopic and histological inflammation are also controlled."Professor Byong Duk Ye, from the Department of Gastroenterology at Seoul Asan Medical Center, stressed the need for new treatment mechanisms, given the high rates of relapse and refractory patients.The therapeutic goal for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is expanding beyond simple symptom relief to 'deep remission,' which includes achieving both endoscopic remission and histological remission. Janssen's Tremfya (guselkumab), with a dual-action mechanism that blocks both the IL-23 signal and its pathway, has recently been approved in South Korea for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative Colitis, emerging as a new therapeutic option.Professor Byong Duk Ye from the Department of Gastroenterology at Seoul Asan Medical CenterProfessor Ye stated, "Given that a significant number of patients experience recurrent relapse and refractoriness despite utilizing all existing drugs, the introduction of a new-mechanism drug aiming for deep remission holds immense significance in clinical practice."IBD is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestines, broadly categorized into ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon, while Crohn's disease can cause inflammation throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus.The etiology of both diseases has not been defined. Due to the chronic, relapsing-remitting nature of the inflammation, the bowel can be damaged over several years to decades, leading to various complications.Given the difficulty of achieving a cure, the fundamental goal of IBD treatment is to effectively suppress inflammation and maintain a stable state of remission to minimize intestinal damage and complications. Although various drugs, including Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors and biologics, have been introduced, a complete cure remains challenging.Analysis suggests the domestic approval of Tremfya contributed to expanding treatment options. Tremfya is the first and only dual-action IL-23 inhibitor approved in Korea for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.Professor Ye said, "IBD treatment has continuously advanced, but the patient population continues to grow, and there are patients who don't respond or experience relapse after using all existing drugs," and added, "The introduction of a new-mechanism drug is welcome news for both patients and healthcare providers."Q. Why is remission still challenging to achieve despite the development of numerous IBD treatments?The biggest reason is that the disease's etiology has not been fully elucidated. The inflammatory pathways are highly diverse and complex, making it difficult to block all inflammatory routes at the same time with currently available drugs.Furthermore, blocking a specific inflammatory pathway can sometimes lead to the compensatory activation of other pathways. This is why some patients initially show treatment efficacy but experience disease worsening over time. In such cases, it may become necessary to switch the drug or adjust the treatment dosage.Ultimately, because the mechanism of inflammation is multilayered and not fully understood, current therapies alone are insufficient to fundamentally cure the disease. Nevertheless, recently developed agents are based on mechanisms that more precisely target inflammatory pathways, leading to a steady increase in the number of patients maintaining long-term remission.Q. Tremfya's domestic approval has expanded treatment options. Please explain the mechanistic advantages of this drug.IL-23 is a known cytokine that plays a vital role in the development of inflammation in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Consequently, several antibody therapies have been developed to block IL-23 action, all designed to target IL-23 p19 subunit.Tremfya is unique for its dual-acting mechanism, which includes an additional mechanism targeting immune cells. Tremfya is the only IL-23 inhibitor that acts directly on CD64+ immune cells that produce IL-23. The Fab region of the Tremfya antibody binds to the IL-23 p19 subunit to block the inflammatory signal, and the Fc region binds to the receptor on CD64+ immune cells, suppressing the activation and function of these immune cells.Tremfya is a drug with a dual-acting mechanism that both blocks the signal molecule causing inflammation and suppresses the activity of the cells generating that signal. This structural feature is a unique strength of Tremfya, not present in other interleukin-23 p19 blockers.Q. Tremfya demonstrated superiority over Stelara in Crohn's disease. Could you please explain which clinical endpoint we should focus on?The Phase 2/3 GALAXI clinical trial in Crohn's disease included endoscopic response as a primary efficacy endpoint. Endoscopic response assesses the degree of improvement in intestinal inflammation via endoscopic scores, while endoscopic remission signifies a more advanced state where the damaged intestinal mucosa has recovered to near-normal.Deep remission is defined as the simultaneous achievement of clinical remission (symptom resolution) and endoscopic remission (mucosal healing). The GALAXI study assessed these measures as both individual and composite endpoints.The study results showed that at the one-year maintenance timepoint, Tremfya demonstrated significantly superior results compared to Stelara (ustekinumab) across endoscopic response, endoscopic remission, and various composite indices. Endoscopic metrics are objective indicators reflecting the level of inflammation control more accurately than subjective patient symptoms. This improvement holds critical significance for long-term complication prevention and prognosis enhancement.Q. What is the practical meaning of achieving deep remission (achieving both clinical and endoscopic remission) for patients?Deep remission is significant because IBD is a chronic disease requiring lifelong management, and it can prevent long-term complications. When symptoms improve, patients are freed from pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, finding comfort in daily life and improving their overall Quality of Life (QoL). Achieving endoscopic remission also suppresses bowel inflammation that the patient may not consciously recognize, thereby reducing the risk of relapse or complications from intestinal damage.In other words, deep remission is a key goal that goes beyond mere symptom alleviation, improving the long-term course of the disease and reducing the likelihood of recurrence. Therefore, in clinical practice, there is continuous emphasis on the need for both symptom improvement and improved endoscopic findings to maintain a good state. Recently, patients are also increasingly aware of the importance of 'deep remission' and actively pursuing it as a treatment goal.Q. The efficacy of Tremfya has also been proven in ulcerative colitis. How would you evaluate the clinical value of this finding?The Phase 3 QUASAR clinical trial in ulcerative colitis evaluated not only endoscopic remission but also histological response and histological remission. Histological evaluation is a quantitative assessment of the presence and degree of inflammatory cells in the intestinal mucosa by microscopic observation.The study results showed that Tremfya demonstrated significantly superior results compared to the placebo group in endoscopic remission, histological improvement, and histological remission rates.Histological evaluation is becoming important in ulcerative colitis because these indicators are closely associated with long-term QoL improvement and the prevention of relapse and worsening.Even when inflammation appears almost resolved on endoscopic examination, tissue biopsy results may show residual inflammation. Studies consistently report that these patients have a higher frequency of relapse and a greater risk of emergency room visits during long-term follow-up. While histological remission is not yet an officially established treatment goal, as evidence accumulates, it is likely to be elevated as a new therapeutic goal.Q. What types of patients in the clinical setting in South Korea can be treated with Tremfya?Based on pivotal study designs, Tremfya is expected to be effective in patients who have not used both biologic- and small-molecule-agents and those who have previously used these agents. Therefore, it is a drug that can be widely utilized not only as a first-line therapy but also in the second-line and beyond treatment phases.Furthermore, agents targeting the IL-23 p19 subunit demonstrate a superior safety profile, offering a clinical advantage for patients requiring long-term treatment by reducing concerns about side effects.The maintenance dosing schedule of once every 8 weeks also enhances patient convenience. Moreover, while some existing oral medications have restrictions requiring discontinuation during pregnancy or childbirth, there is an expert consensus that Tremfya treatment can be continued through pregnancy, birth, and lactation. This positions it as an essential drug that expands treatment options for women of childbearing age and young female patients.Q. Considering clinical practice, patients, and policy, what are the unmet needs that should be addressed in IBD treatment?First, considering healthcare providers, there is a need for the broader dissemination of the understanding that the IBD treatment goal has been elevated beyond simple symptom improvement to the fundamental control of inflammation itself. This is a key concept for improving long-term prognosis and preventing complications, but it is not yet applied at the same level across all clinical settings.Furthermore, improving adherence to long-term therapy remains a significant challenge. Despite IBD being a chronic, lifelong disease, many patients stop taking medication or delay hospital visits once their symptoms improve. Therefore, spreading awareness that consistent treatment and management are necessary, even without symptoms, is essential.Finally, the hurdles to treatment access need to be lowered. Although Korea's 'Special Case Medical Expense Coverage System' allows eligible CD/UC patients to receive reimbursed biologics or small-molecule drugs with only a 10% co-payment, the initial entry hurdle for these agents remains relatively high. Additionally, the criteria for drug switching are stringent, and improvements are needed to allow for more flexible adjustment of treatment strategies based on the patient's condition.
