JW Pharmaceutical Launches Improved Combination Drug for Dyslipidemia 'Rivarozet'

Rivaroxjet Shipment Ceremony (Photo by JW JoongWai Pharmaceutical)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] JW Pharmaceutical announced on the 30th that it has launched ‘Rivarozet,’ an improved new drug for dyslipidemia (hyperlipidemia) based on pitavastatin.

Rivarozet is a two-drug combination that combines pitavastatin and ezetimibe, two components used to treat dyslipidemia. It is used for primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. It can be taken once daily regardless of meals.

In Korea, combination drugs of rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin with ezetimibe are already on the market. This is the first time an improved new drug combining pitavastatin and ezetimibe has been launched.

The company explained that the combination of statin class and ezetimibe components is effective in lowering LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) while reducing side effects such as muscle pain, liver function decline, and risk of diabetes onset compared to high-dose statin monotherapy.

Since 2019, JW Pharmaceutical has conducted a Phase 3 clinical trial of Rivarozet involving 283 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia at 25 hospitals nationwide. The clinical results showed that after 8 weeks of Rivarozet administration, LDL-C was safely reduced by about 54% without affecting blood sugar levels. It also showed superior effects compared to monotherapy in other auxiliary lipid indicators.

The main ingredient of Rivarozet, pitavastatin, is characterized not only by its cardiovascular disease prevention effect but also by its safety regarding statin-induced blood sugar elevation. In 32 countries overseas, the drug information leaflet (SmPC) includes the phrase ‘no signs of increased risk of diabetes,’ which is unique among statins.

A JW Pharmaceutical official said, “Rivarozet is a treatment that can reduce LDL-C by more than 50% in patients with dyslipidemia, thereby providing a preventive effect against cardiovascular disease. In particular, with the launch of Rivarozet, the Rivarozet product line will become an option that can minimize side effects related to blood sugar elevation for most patients suffering from dyslipidemia.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.