Daewoong Pharmaceutical Launches Tofacitinib-Based 'Zeltopha Tablets' Targeting the Autoimmune Disease Market

Full Range of Original Drug Indications Secured

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 27th that it has launched 'Zeltopha Tablets,' a JAK inhibitor-based treatment for autoimmune diseases. JAK inhibitors are drugs that suppress the body's excessive inflammatory signals and are widely used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Zeltopha Tablets. Daewoong Pharmaceutical

Zeltopha Tablets is the first generic version of Pfizer's Xeljanz (ingredient: tofacitinib). It has demonstrated bioequivalence to the original, providing equivalent therapeutic efficacy and safety, while also improving cost-effectiveness and medication convenience. Both 5 mg and 10 mg doses have been launched simultaneously, just like the original drug, completing a full product lineup that covers all indications, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and ulcerative colitis (UC).

In particular, Zeltopha Tablets 10 mg has been launched at 8,307 KRW, the most affordable price among all registered Xeljanz generics to date, offering significant advantages in terms of treatment accessibility and continuity for patients.

Existing JAK inhibitor-based autoimmune disease treatments cost at least several hundred thousand KRW per month, and in some cases exceed 1 million KRW, creating a substantial financial burden for patients who require long-term medication. The affordable price of Zeltopha Tablets is expected to significantly reduce treatment costs for patients who require high doses, such as those with ulcerative colitis.

Improvements have also been made in terms of medication convenience. Zeltopha Tablets has reduced tablet size by up to 15% compared to the original drug by optimizing excipients, making it easier for patients to swallow. Both 5 mg and 10 mg formulations are available in bottles of 30 tablets, making it convenient to prescribe and dispense for 30-day or 60-day periods.

Park Hyungcheol, Head of ETC Marketing at Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "Zeltopha Tablets is significant as it offers a practical alternative that can substantially reduce the financial burden on patients in a JAK inhibitor market dominated by high-priced treatments. We will do our utmost to ensure that Zeltopha Tablets becomes a stable treatment option for autoimmune disease patients who require long-term medication."