South Korea's Hanmi Pharmaceutical Produces Generic Tamiflu Prototype

Strategic Insights -

South Korea's Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. has successfully produced a generic version of Tamiflu, the world's only antiviral drug against avian influenza. The company will submit the new drug to the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), following the KFDA's call for local producers to present generic versions of Tamiflu by December 5. Hanmi is the only local pharmaceutical company that expressed an interest in the bid to have succeeded in coming up with a prototype. The company began development work at the beginning of the year and is currently in close consultations with Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical giant that produces the original Tamiflu.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. has produced a prototype for a generic version of Tamiflu, the world's only antiviral drug against avian influenza.
  • The company will submit the new drug to the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) for approval.
  • Hanmi is the only local pharmaceutical company that expressed an interest in the bid to have succeeded in coming up with a prototype.
  • The KFDA has called for local producers to present generic versions of Tamiflu by December 5.
  • Roche, the original producer of Tamiflu, has received over 150 requests for producing generic versions of the antiviral medicine.
  • Vietnam is the only country that has reached an agreement with Roche to produce Tamiflu locally.
  • South Korea plans to increase its stockpile of Tamiflu to cover 1 million patients by next year, up from its current stockpile of enough for 720,000 people.
  • Since 2003, more than 125 people have been infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, with more than 60 of those resulting in death.

Statistics:

  • Over 150 requests for producing generic versions of Tamiflu from other companies have been received by Roche.
  • South Korea's current stockpile of Tamiflu is enough for 720,000 people.
  • South Korea plans to increase its stockpile of Tamiflu to cover 1 million patients by next year.
  • Since 2003, more than 125 people have been infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
  • Over 60 people have died from the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia since 2003.

Sources:

  • Yonhap News Agency
  • The Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA)
  • Roche Holding AG
  • Vietnamese Ministry of Health
  • US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)