Daewoong Pharmaceutical Opens New Chapter in Gastritis Treatment Market with Domestic New Drug 'Pexuclu'

Health Insurance Coverage Granted for Gastritis Indication
Aiming for Annual Sales of 150 Billion KRW as a Blockbuster

Domestic new drug Pexuclu has started its run once again. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's self-developed gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment 'Pexuclu Tablets (active ingredient: Pexuprazan Hydrochloride)' recently obtained health insurance coverage for gastritis indications, opening a new chapter in the domestic gastritis treatment market.

According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 8th, Pexuclu is a next-generation treatment drug in the ‘P-CAB’ class that suppresses gastric acid secretion, a new drug that complements the limitations of existing PPIs (proton pump inhibitors). Its biggest advantages are that the drug acts quickly, can be taken regardless of meal times, and stable effects can be expected with once-daily dosing.

In particular, due to low drug interactions, it is considered a safer treatment option for elderly patients or those with multiple comorbidities. This recent insurance coverage for gastritis is expected to serve as a momentum for Pexuclu to change the P-CAB market landscape. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, there are an estimated 5 million gastritis patients in Korea, many of whom require long-term treatment due to chronic abdominal pain and indigestion. This indicates the high market potential of Pexuclu.

Pexuclu demonstrated its presence by surpassing annual sales of 100 billion KRW last year, its third year on the gastroesophageal reflux disease market. Such growth is a rare case for a domestic new drug. Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s strategy is to grow Pexuclu into a blockbuster new drug with annual sales of 150 billion KRW by entering the gastritis market.

Pexuclu has already proven its efficacy and safety in the field of gastritis through Phase 3 clinical trials. Professor Kim Kwangha, the first author of the clinical trial and a gastroenterologist at Pusan National University Hospital, stated, “Pexuclu showed excellent therapeutic effects in improving gastric mucosal lesions in both acute and chronic gastritis patients, and the rapid symptom relief is highly significant. Through this insurance coverage, more patients will be able to benefit in real clinical settings.”

A Daewoong Pharmaceutical official said, “Pexuclu is not only effective but also a very strategic new drug that aligns with market trends, policy timing, and patient demands. This insurance coverage for gastritis is an important turning point that simultaneously raises brand trust and market share.”

Daewoong Pharmaceutical is continuously pursuing the expansion of Pexuclu’s indications. Clinical trials are underway in various areas such as Helicobacter pylori eradication, prevention of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)-induced ulcers, and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and global expansion is accelerating. Pexuclu is evaluated as proving the possibility that a domestic treatment drug can lead the market beyond being just a new drug.

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