SK chemicals Site ManagerSK chemicals - Zeria Pharmaceutical of Japan,
Contract closed for the introduction of gastro-protective agent ‘PROMAC’
- Fast and effective treatment through the selective action on inflammation and ulcers
- Support plan for a major product in the gastrointestinal field, a strong area of SK chemicals
- Commercialization in 2008 after domestic clinical study, with expected annual sales of 15 billion won
SK chemicals (CEO, Chang Geun Kim) concluded a signature ceremony with Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CEO, Sachiaki Ibe) on the 27th of February for the introduction of the gastro-protective agent PROMAC®.
Treatments for gastritis and gastric ulcer form a huge market worldwide with annual sales of over 1000 billion won. A gastro-protective agent is a drug that is administered alone or in conjunction with inhibitors of gastric acid secretion for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer.
Polaprezinc, an active ingredient of PROMAC®, is a complex compound of zinc and L-carnosine; the zinc content promotes ulcer treatment and has an anti-inflammatory action, while L-carnosine favors tissue repairing and shows excellent effects in the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers through immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory actions.
In the comparative clinical test performed in Japan, the endoscopic examination results confirmed excellent treatment effects in excess of 30% in terms of the cure and symptom improvements when compared with the control group.
The scale of the domestic market for gastro-protective agents was 60.7 billion won in 2004, with a growth rate of 26.1% compared to the previous year, and reached 90.6 billion won in 2005 with a rapid growth rate of 49.3%. A continuous rise is expected in the future due to the increasing number of gastritis/gastric ulcer patients.
With the introduction of PROMAC®, SK chemicals is planning to strengthen its position in the treatment of the gastrointestinal field with existing products such as Omed (omeprazole preparation/gastric and duodenal ulcer treatment) and Levopride (levosulpiride preparation/ functional dyspepsia treatment), and evolve into a leading company of this sector in the future.
Seung Kwon Shin, CEO of SK chemicals Life Science, announced, “PROMAC® will enter the market in 2008 after domestic clinical study with expected annual sales of more than 15 billion won”.
l Zeria Pharmaceutical
Established in 1955, Zeria Pharmaceutical is a Japanese pharmaceutical company that achieved a sales volume of 550 billion won in 2005, with an emphasis on treatments for the gastrointestinal field, and is expanding its consumer healthcare business by focusing on prescription pharmaceuticals and OTC pharmaceuticals. It employs 1,225 people, while annual R&D investment stands at more than 12% compared to sales.
