RAS AL KHAIMAH, 27th June, 2022 (WAM) — Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) and Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., announced strategic cooperation by which, former will develop, manufacture, and commercialise Liraglutide (including both indications of diabetes and obesity), in 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) including the UAE.
Liraglutide injection is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% sequence homology with human GLP-1. It is mainly used for glucose control in adult type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Huadong’s Liraglutide injection for diabetes indication has filed NDA in China and is expected to get the marketing approval by the end of 2022. Obesity indication has completed Phase III trial in China. It is now in the pre-NDA stage and expected to file NDA in June.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2021 report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the highest prevalence of adult diabetes in the world, and the adult diabetic (20-79 years old) market size is about US$7.6 billion.
Dr. Essam Mohamed, CEO of Julphar, said, “We are very pleased to collaborate with Huadong Medicine, a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company. We are confident that with the technical advantages, production capabilities, and excellent drug development and marketing capabilities of both Huadong Medicine and Julphar; Liraglutide injection will blossom and bear fruits in the MENA region.”
Chairman of Huadong Medicine, Lv Liang said, “Julphar is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region with more than 40 years of experiences. Both Julphar and Huadong Medicine have been committed to diabetes and obesity, which have a large patient pool and unmet medical needs. Huadong Medicine is privileged to join hands with Julphar and leverage each other’s advantages to achieve the successful launch of liraglutide injection in the MENA region, benefiting more patients around the world.”
Huadong’s Liraglutide injection is a biosimilar of Victoza , which uses a different production process from that of the original manufacturer. Huadong has completed the clinical research of liraglutide injection (diabetes indication) in June 2021, submitted a listing application to the NMPA in August 2021. The clinical development of the obesity indication has been completed and is in the process of submitting NDA.