Isu Abxis "Expecting Increased Supply of Algerian Gaucher Disease Treatment"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Isu Abxis announced on the 12th that it has completed the submission for the 2022 Gaucher disease treatment drug tender conducted by the Pharmacy Central Hospital (PCH) in Algeria.

With competitive pricing and efficacy of Abcertin, it is expected to be selected as the top winning pharmaceutical company again this year following last year. The Algerian Gaucher disease treatment market size is approximately 28 billion KRW, which is equivalent to Isu Abxis's sales level from the previous year.

An official from Isu Abxis explained, "In 2021, the first year of entering Algeria, we signed a supply contract for Abcertin worth about 14 billion KRW, corresponding to a 50% market share, with PCH."

He added, "Previously, according to tender regulations, we signed a supply contract for only 50% of the total tender quantity. This year, the regulations have been changed so that the first-ranked winning bidder supplies exclusively, which is expected to be a major turning point for increasing Abcertin sales."

Furthermore, he said, "To gain an advantage in various evaluation factors, we have maintained close cooperation with the local Algerian network and strategically approached the tender."

Isu Abxis's self-developed orphan drug Abcertin is an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) treatment for Gaucher disease with the same active ingredient as Sanofi Genzyme's Cerezyme, which recorded sales of about 1 trillion KRW last year. It was approved for sale by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in October 2012, becoming the world's third Gaucher disease treatment after the United States and the United Kingdom. Abcertin is being sold overseas in countries such as Iran, Peru, and Ecuador due to its higher price competitiveness compared to competing products.