April 23, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] South Korean drug makers are poised to roll out an array of generic versions of Roche’s lung cancer treatment Tarceva which recently faced patent expiry.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, a total of eight pharmaceutical companies have already secured approval for their own generic drug products as Swiss pharma giant Roche’ patent on its lung cancer medication ended on Oct. 31. 

Tarceva is one of the Roche’s best-selling cancer drugs which brought in US$1.2 billion in sales in 2015.

The list of those who gained approval for generics include Teva Handok, Il Dong Pharmaceutical, Hanmi Pharm, Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical, Boryung Pharmaceutical, CJ Health Care, Chongkundang Holdings and Korea United Pharm.

To counter the growing competition from generic makers, Roche forged a partnership with South Korea’s Boryung Pharmaceutical for sales of the cancer fighting drug.

Boryung, was one of the eight firms that won the health authority’s greenlight to launch its generic drug, but scrapped its plan after signing the co-promotion deal with Roche.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)