●SK chemicals, Lilly Korea Sign a Joint Sales Agreement for "Cymbalta"
- SK, Lilly, respectively, in charge of osteroarthritis pain and mental disorder areas
- “Product promotion to be carried out in each company`s main field”
SK chemicals has signed a joint sales agreement with Lilly Korea for "Cymbalta (ingredient name: Duloxetine hydrochloride; Duloxetine HCL)," a treatment for depression and osteoarthritis pain which does not adequately respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the company announced on Dec. 15.
Under this agreement, SK chemicals will be in charge of marketing and sales activities for Cymbalta with regard to its applicability to pain management, particularly osteoarthritis pain, beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. For these activities, the company will use its sales capabilities in the area of arthritis treatment, which have been accumulated through the marketing of Joins and other osteoarthritis drugs. Lilly Korea will be dedicated to marketing and sales activities related to Cymbalta`s applicability to major depression and generalized anxiety disorders.
Since its approval in 2007 as a major depressive disorder drug from the Korean Food and Drug Administration, Cymbalta has been approved consecutively for use in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis pain that does not adequately respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In July 2016, the insurance payment standard for Cymbalta was expanded as an analgesic supplement for cancer neuropathic pain.
"We are delighted to have a new partnership with SK chemicals, which has built a solid position in the market for pain medicines by providing a wide range of new drug research and development and specialty medicines," said Lily Korea President Paul Henry Huibers. "We hope to complement each other to improve the treatment outcomes of antidepressants as well as a medication for the management of osteoarthritis and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, thereby enhancing the patients` quality of life."
"SK chemicals has established its position as a leading company in the market by launching a variety of products in the field of osteoarthritis," said Han Byeong-ro, CEO of SK chemicals. "We will focus on expanding the market so that more patients can benefit from innovative, internationally available drugs."
[Photo]
Han Byeong-ro (right), CEO of SK chemicals, shakes hands with Paul Henry Huibers, president of Lilly Korea, after signing a joint sales agreement for Cymbalta.
[Terminology]
1) Cymbalta A
Cymbalta® (Duloxetine hydrochloride, Duloxetine HCL) is an SNRI-based treatment for depression that selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter hormones associated with depression. It has been approved for treatment of osteoarthritis patients who suffer from major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia as well as those who are not adequately responsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). On July 1, 2016, the insurance payment standard for Cymbalta was expanded as an analgesic supplement for cancer neuropathic pain. It is taken once a day and there are few side effects (sexual dysfunction, weight increase) compared to existing drugs.
[Information About Companies]
1) Lilly
Established in 1998, Lilly Korea is a pharmaceutical company specializing in treatment drugs. Eli Lilly, a world-renowned R&D-centric pharmaceutical company, has a 100% stake in Lilly Korea. Its predecessor was Daewoong Lilly, which was established in 1982 as a joint venture between Eli Lilly and Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. It provides innovative new drugs to the domestic market for treatment of diseases like diabetes, cancer, mental illness, osteoporosis and erectile dysfunction, thereby helping to improve the patients` quality of life. Having grown steadily in the domestic market since its establishment, Lilly Korea has a solid channel for providing new drugs that can contribute to lengthening the life expectancy of Koreans and improving their quality of life.
http://www.lilly.co.kr
2) SK chemicals
Since its launch in 1969, SK chemicals has been leading the transformation and innovation of the Korean chemical / life sciences sector. Pursuing a mission aimed at promoting human health and protecting the earth`s environment, it is providing chemical/life science products that are essentially needed by mankind. In particular, Life Science Biz, which oversees all aspects of the healthcare business such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, provides an integrated solution to the entire process from diagnosis to prevention and treatment. The company is actively promoting its presence in the global market based on innovative drug development and differentiated technology.
http://www.skchemicals.com