● SK chemicals, Launch Korea’s First Third Generation Epilepsy Injection ‘Vimsk Inj.’
- Launch latest 3rd generation epilepsy treatment injection with lacosamide, first time in Korea
- Emergency treatment option for epileptic patients who cannot receive oral administration of lacosamideSK chemicals launched Korea’s First 3rd generation epileptic treatment injection, ‘Vimsk Inj.’
SK chemicals (CEO Mr. Jeon Kwang-Hyun) announced on the 4th that it has launched the newest injection of ‘Vimsk Inj.,’ with lacosamide, for the treatment of epilepsy. This is the first time that injectable lacosamide, a third-generation anti-epileptic drug, has been released in Korea.
SK chemicals Vimsk Inj. is an additional treatment for partial epileptic seizures with or without secondary generalized seizures in patients over 16 years of age. Especially, it is effective in emergency situations because it can be administered to epileptic patients who cannot receive oral administration of drugs temporarily such as during sudden seizures after surgery.
Since 2016, SK chemicals has been supplying a variety of Vimsk Tab. for oral use?50mg, 100mg, 150mg, and 200mg, to Korea’s medical institutions as well as ‘customized treatments’ for a range of patients＇ conditions.
The general opinion is that SK chemicals has presented a new alternative to the treatment of epilepsy in Korea through the introduction of this injectable formulation, following the existing four-dose Vimsk Tab.
SK chemical Life Science Biz CEO Mr. Jeon Kwang-hyun said, "We will support patient-customized treatment with various dosages and formulations through Vimsk Inj.," and “We will continue to contribute to the public health through enhancement of social values in our society ".
The number of epilepsy patients is around *190,000, and this number has been growing about 3% annually since 2015. According to IMS Health Data, a drug market research organization, the total cost of prescriptions filled for epilepsy drugs last year reached about 130 billion won in Korea.
SK chemicals＇ Vimsk has contributed to reduce the economic burden on patients by being covered by health insurance benefits for the first time in Korea as a lacosamide drug.
SK chemicals＇ Vimsk, an epilepsy drug, slows inactivation of the sodium channel of brain neurons. An advantage of this drug is that it can be used in combination with other existing medicines with little interaction.
SK chemicals Vimsk is expected to be supplied to advanced general hospitals by the end of June following a pharmaceutical review committee meeting of major hospitals.
※ Description: SK chemicals’ Korea’s First Third Generation Epilepsy Injection ＇SK chemicals＇
■ Glossary
▶ Nwejeonjeung (뇌전증, epilepsy): An epileptic seizure that occurs repeatedly and becomes chronic despite the absence of causative factors that may lead to epileptic seizures. Although Ganzil (간질, epilepsy) itself is not a misnomer, it has been changed to the term Nwejeonjeung (뇌전증, epilepsy) because of its high social prejudice and the high social stigma associated with the term epilepsy.
▶ Secondary generalized seizures: Unlike generalized seizures that immediately begin seizures throughout the brain, seizures appear to be partial at the beginning of seizures and spread to both hemispheres of the brain, showing secondary generalized seizures.
* Number of domestic epilepsy patients: 2012 epidemiological report of Korean Epilepsy Society