GC Green Cross Signs Domestic Co-Promotion and Distribution Agreement for "Paxlovid" with Pfizer Korea

Heuncheol Hur, CEO of GC Green Cross (right), and Dongwook Oh, CEO of Pfizer Korea (left), are taking a commemorative photo after signing the domestic supply contract for Paxlovid. Photo by GC Green Cross

GC Green Cross announced on June 2 that it has signed a domestic co-promotion and distribution agreement with Pfizer Korea for the oral COVID-19 treatment "Paxlovid" (active ingredients: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir). Under this agreement, GC Green Cross will be responsible for the domestic distribution of Paxlovid starting this month.

The two companies plan to collaborate on a wide range of activities, from marketing to sales, in order to expand patient access to Paxlovid. In particular, they aim to maximize business synergy through their close relationship, which began with the co-promotion agreement for "Genotropin" in 2005.

Recently, as the resurgence of COVID-19 continues in Asian countries such as China and Thailand, there remains a possibility of a summer outbreak in Korea as well. At this time, the agreement is expected to play a meaningful role in ensuring a stable supply of pharmaceuticals.

Paxlovid is an oral treatment for adults at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. In patients who started treatment within five days of symptom onset and who had not received or were not expected to receive monoclonal antibody therapy, Paxlovid reduced the relative risk of hospitalization and all-cause mortality by 86% compared to the placebo group.

Heuncheol Hur, CEO of GC Green Cross, stated, "GC Green Cross is a company with strengths in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases," adding, "Through close collaboration between the two companies, we will contribute to strengthening the public health safety net."

Dongwook Oh, CEO of Pfizer Korea, commented, "We are pleased to enter into a co-promotion and distribution partnership with GC Green Cross, a company with extensive experience and expertise in the domestic pharmaceutical industry," and added, "As a company that prioritizes patient health, Pfizer Korea will continue its efforts to protect patients from COVID-19."