Fuji Pharma buys darbepoetin alfa from Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical

Japanese pharma company Fuji Pharma recently in licensed darbepoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant, from Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical, a Seoul-based company, for subsequent development and commercialization in Japan.Fuji Pharma has the exclusive rights in Japan for the development, manufacture, distribute and sell of Darbepoetin Alfa Biosimilar.

Darbepoetin Alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) with long acting effects. It is effective for improving renal anemia of non-dialysis chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients which widely used in Japanese market. Darbepoetin Alfa Biosimilar is Fuji Pharma’s second biosimilar product following Filgrastim BS injection Syringe (F), a recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) drug which have been marketed in 2013.

In Japan, darbepoetin alfa is widely used to improve renal anemia for hemodialysis patients and patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

About Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical
Established: May 1941
Head office: Seoul, South Korea
CEO: Kim Young Joo
Capital: 23,523 million Korean Won
Sales: 544,130 million Korean Won (2014)
Business: Primarily pharmaceutical R&D, manufacturing and sales; also active drug ingredients, health food and other activities at group companies

About Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd.
Established: April 1965
Head office: Tokyo, Japan
CEO: Hirofumi Imai, President & CEO
Capital: ¥3,799 million
Stock Listings Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section (TSE: 4554)
Business: Medical care for women, in vitro diagnostics, acute medical care products and curative medicine (injection agents), and information regarding pharmaceuticals and health