(Health Korea News / Lee Soon-ho) On the 1st, Bukwang Pharmaceutical launched a new drug, ‘Latuda (ingredient name: lurasidone hydrochloride),’ for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder depression.
‘Latuda’ is an atypical antipsychotic drug approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder depression developed by Japan’s Sumitomo Pharma. In April 2017, Bukwang Pharmaceutical acquired exclusive licensing rights in Korea through a licensing agreement with Sumitomo Pharma and developed and launched ‘Latuda’ in Korea.
In May, prior to the launch of ‘Latuda’, Bukwang Pharmaceutical established a new CNS Business Division, a specialized CNS (central nervous system) sales and marketing organization directly under CEO Lee Je-young, and began full-scale marketing activities prior to the launch of ‘Latuda’.
Bukwang Pharmaceutical applied for insurance benefit listing of ‘Latuda’ through the pharmaceutical approval and insurance benefit evaluation linked review system that allows application for medical benefit decision prior to approval of pharmaceutical product approval, and received the decision for insurance benefit listing approximately 8 months after receiving domestic product approval on November 23 last year.
‘Latudajeong’ has been approved in Korea for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents and adults aged 13 years and older and major depressive episode related to bipolar I disorder in children and adults aged 10 years and older.
In overseas countries, it has been approved as a treatment for schizophrenia in adults in 54 countries belonging to the United States and the European Union, and as a treatment for schizophrenia in adolescents (ages 13 to 17). In 21 countries including the United States, it has been approved as monotherapy for depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) in adults and as an adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate. In some countries, it has been approved as monotherapy for depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) in children (ages 10 to 17).
A representative of Bukwang Pharmaceutical said, “‘Latuda’ has a low incidence of metabolic side effects such as weight gain, increased blood cholesterol and neutral fat, and increased blood sugar, which are side effects of existing atypical antipsychotic drugs, so it can be used for effective treatment in the long term,” adding, “It is known as an atypical antipsychotic drug that can be effectively used in bipolar disorder depression patients and pediatric patients who have very limited drug options.”
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