Bukwang Pharm Launches 'Latuda' for Schizophrenia and Depression Treatment

Bukwang Pharmaceutical announced on the 1st that Latuda tablets, a treatment for schizophrenia and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder type 1, have been launched along with the application of pharmaceutical insurance coverage.

Bukwang Pharmaceutical's schizophrenia and bipolar disorder depression treatment 'Latuda'

Latuda tablets are atypical antipsychotic drugs developed by Sumitomo Pharma in Japan. Bukwang Pharmaceutical acquired exclusive domestic licensing rights through a license agreement with Sumitomo in 2017. Subsequently, about eight months after receiving domestic product approval in November last year, the product was launched through insurance reimbursement listing.

Latuda tablets have been approved domestically for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents aged 13 and older and adults, as well as for major depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder type 1 in children aged 10 and older and adults. Internationally, it has been approved as a treatment for adult schizophrenia in 54 countries including the United States and Europe, and also approved for treating schizophrenia in adolescents aged 13 to 17. In 21 countries including the United States, it has been approved as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate for depressive episodes of bipolar disorder type 1 in adults. In some countries, it has also been approved as monotherapy for depressive episodes of bipolar disorder type 1 in children aged 10 to 17.

Bukwang Pharmaceutical explained that Latuda tablets have the advantage of enabling long-term treatment by having a lower incidence of metabolic-related adverse reactions such as weight gain, increased blood cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased blood sugar, which are side effects of existing atypical antipsychotic drugs, thereby improving patients' quality of life. They also added that it is an atypical antipsychotic drug that can be effectively used for patients with bipolar disorder depression and pediatric patients, for whom drug options are very limited.

Before the launch of Latuda tablets, Bukwang Pharmaceutical established the CNS Business Division, a specialized sales and marketing organization for the central nervous system (CNS), directly under CEO Lee Jae-young in May, and has been actively conducting pre-launch marketing activities.

A representative from Bukwang Pharmaceutical stated, “Latuda tablets will become a blockbuster product that will drive Bukwang Pharmaceutical’s future sales growth by strategically focusing on hospital and clinic sales activities based on CNS specialists.”