SK Chemicals Launches High-Dose 300mg "Joins" for Osteoarthritis Treatment

by Jeong Donghoon

Published 11 Mar.2026 09:10(KST)

SK Chemicals has introduced a new high-dose lineup for its natural medicine "Joins."

On March 11, SK Chemicals announced the launch of "JoinsF Tablet 300mg" (hereinafter referred to as JoinsF), a version of its osteoarthritis treatment "Joins" with increased active ingredient content.

JoinsF is a high-dose product that increases the ingredient dosage of the existing 200mg "Joins" by 1.5 times, now containing 300mg per tablet. The standard daily dose is 600mg, so unlike the original Joins, which required three doses per day, JoinsF is designed for twice-daily administration.

'Joins-F Tab 300mg,' an osteoarthritis treatment product launched by SK Chemicals. SK Chemicals

Due to the nature of osteoarthritis, which occurs as the body ages, most patients require long-term medication to manage their symptoms. The company expects that the high-dose formulation, which reduces the number of daily doses, will significantly improve convenience for patients.

Patient burden for medication costs is also expected to decrease. The maximum price for the high-dose JoinsF, which was listed for reimbursement on March 1, is 488 won per tablet. Based on the recommended dosage, the daily cost of JoinsF Tablet 300mg is 976 won, which is about 16% less than the 1,170 won daily cost for Joins Tablet 200mg.

Despite the higher content, JoinsF only increases the tablet size by about 5-10% compared to the original, and the thickness has actually been reduced, minimizing discomfort when taking the medication.

The original 200mg Joins was launched in 2002 as the first natural medicine in Korea for osteoarthritis, with three herbal extracts (Wilfordii root, Trichosanthes root, and Prunella spike) as main ingredients. Over 24 years of prescriptions, its efficacy in relieving pain has been verified, and multiple clinical studies and long-term prescription experiences have confirmed its safety for extended use.

These effects were also demonstrated in the newly released phase 3 clinical trial results for high-dose JoinsF by SK Chemicals. The study involved 278 patients aged 20 to 75 with primary knee osteoarthritis, administering JoinsF and a comparator drug from the NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) class for 12 weeks.

The clinical results showed that JoinsF had comparable efficacy in improving joint pain and function to that of conventional NSAID treatments. The incidence of adverse events was also not significantly different, and there were no reports of serious adverse reactions.

SK Chemicals plans to strengthen its strategy in the SYSADOA (Symptomatic Slow Acting Drugs for Osteoarthritis) market by leveraging scientific data on efficacy confirmed through additional clinical trials, as well as the improved convenience of administration.

SYSADOA refers to a class of drugs taken long-term to relieve pain and improve joint function in osteoarthritis patients. According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, the Korean SYSADOA market is estimated to reach about 196 billion won in 2025. With an aging population and growing interest in managing chronic diseases, the market has shown an average annual growth rate of 5% over the past five years. Within this market, Joins recorded sales of about 59.5 billion won last year, capturing a market share of approximately 30%.

Park Hyunseon, Head of Business at SK Chemicals, stated, "Osteoarthritis is common among the elderly and can lead to not only pain but also reduced activity, muscle loss, and decreased quality of life, so professional treatment aimed at symptom relief is essential. We will continue to listen to patient feedback and actively incorporate on-site opinions to further enhance convenience."

Meanwhile, Joins surpassed cumulative sales of 700 billion won as of February. The product is referenced in related clinical guidelines and in textbooks of knee surgery, rheumatology, and pain medicine, highlighting its clinical value in osteoarthritis treatment.