SK Chemicals, AstraZeneca Ink Deal for Global Supply of Groundbreaking Diabetes Drug, Sidapvia

South Korea's SK Chemicals has partnered with AstraZeneca's Korean affiliate in a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) agreement. SK Chemicals will produce and globally distribute Sidapvia, a new treatment for type 2 diabetes, combining leading active ingredients dapagliflozin and sitagliptin.

Under this agreement, SK Chemicals will be responsible for the manufacturing and global distribution of Sidapvia, a groundbreaking combination of Forxig (dapagliflozin) and sitagliptin. Sidapvia is indicated for adults aged 18 and older with type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by improper insulin function and high blood sugar levels.

SK Chemicals and AstraZeneca have jointly developed this promising diabetes treatment. While SK Chemicals focuses on manufacturing and distribution, AstraZeneca will be the marketing authorization holder (MAH). They will handle country-specific licensing and marketing efforts, and South Korea has already granted licensing for Sidapvia, making it the first country to do so.

Sidapvia combines two active ingredients, Forxiga and sitagliptin, globally recognized as a leading SGLT-2 inhibitor and top-selling DPP-4 inhibitor. These ingredients work through different mechanisms of action to effectively lower blood glucose levels, offering a viable option for managing complications among diabetic patients.

Ahn Jae-hyun, the CEO of SK Chemicals, expressed utmost confidence in the company's pharmaceutical technology and production capabilities. These capabilities have paved the way for the supply of medicines to numerous countries, and Ahn emphasized the company's plans to foster diverse collaboration opportunities.

The collaboration between SK Chemicals and AstraZeneca began in early 2020, with AstraZeneca providing SK Chemicals with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and funding research for diabetes treatment development. Subsequently, SK Chemicals took over product research and development and conducted domestic clinical trials. With this new agreement as a starting point, SK Chemicals aims to expand the supply of Sidapvia in Korea and the global market.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for SK Chemicals and AstraZeneca, solidifying their commitment to advancing diabetes treatment and improving the lives of millions of patients worldwide.

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