Daewoong Therapeutics Launches 'Rabeprazole Improved New Drug' for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment

The mechanism of action of 'Rabeprazole Improved New Drug' recently released by Daewoong Therapeutics

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Daewoong Therapeutics announced on the 24th that it has launched the country's first improved drug for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), 'Rabeprazole Improved New Drug,' which combines 'Rabeprazole' and an antacid to advance the onset of drug efficacy by more than 3 hours.

This improved new drug was jointly developed by transferring formulation technology to Youngjin Pharm. Sales began this month at Youngjin Pharm as well as Samjin Pharmaceutical, Dong Wha Pharmaceutical, Dong-A ST, Hwanin Pharmaceutical, and Ildong Pharmaceutical.

The Rabeprazole improved new drug is made by combining Rabeprazole with sodium bicarbonate, an antacid whose safety has been proven. Sodium bicarbonate prevents Rabeprazole from being decomposed by gastric acid and allows the drug to be rapidly absorbed in the upper duodenum, resulting in an onset of efficacy approximately 3 hours faster than single-agent formulations. It can be prescribed not only for symptom relief of GERD but also for various conditions such as ulcerative GERD, erosive GERD, gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers, and is suitable for long-term use.

Existing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatments like single-agent Rabeprazole have a delayed onset of drug action, causing patients to endure pain for 2 to 3 hours before the effect begins. Since PPI drugs are easily decomposed by gastric acid, enteric coating technology must be applied, which ironically delays the onset of efficacy.

Daewoong Therapeutics plans to continuously introduce improved new drugs that address these shortcomings of PPI-class GERD treatments. Following this Rabeprazole improved new drug, the company aims to develop the 'Lansoprazole Improved New Drug,' which ranks third in prescription share among PPIs, to upgrade the entire PPI market with improved new drugs.

A Daewoong Therapeutics official stated, “Since Rabeprazole holds a significant prescription share within the PPI class, we expect this Rabeprazole improved new drug to achieve great success in the market. We will soon develop the Lansoprazole improved new drug as well, contributing to improving the quality of life for patients suffering from GERD and gastric ulcers, and leading the domestic PPI combination drug market.”

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