April 25, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Tamiflu, an antiviral medication for treatment of flu, is expected to face fierce generic competition after its patent expires in August as an array of South Korean drug makers are pushing to launch alternative drugs, according to sources on Feb. 1.

Roche’s blockbuster flu medication is one of the few drugs approved for fighting influenza but Korean firms are gearing up to sell cheaper versions in the country. 

“The launch of generic versions will take a toll on Tamiflu which has been enjoying a dominant market position. The drug price will be slashed and it will lose market share,” an official at a local pharmaceutical firm said.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical is leading the pack with Hanmi Flu, a modified version of Tamiflu that avoids possible patent infringement.

Launched in February in 2016, the 25 percent-lower-priced generic alternative achieved significant gains in market share, accounting for 54.9 percent in the first week of December last year.

Analysts here estimate that the 2016 sales of Tamiflu reached 30 billion won (US$25.95 million) in South Korea.

Another local drug maker Celltrion, is working on phase 2 clinical trials of its new influenza drug CT-P27. It is currently conducting randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled studies.

More than seven generic developers have received permission from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to conduct bioequivalence studies on their Tamiflu generics so far, including Yuhan, Kolmar Korea, KyungDong Pharm, Kolon Pharma and Ilyang Pharmaceutical.
By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)