DKSH Korea To Expand Portfolio With Acquisition Of Kyowa Kirin Korea's Specialty Pharma Unit

The acquisition encompasses the sales, marketing, academic support, distribution, and oversight of Kyowa Kirin Korea's specialty pharmaceuticals, along with the transition and administration of product licenses. As of October 2, DKSH Korea has taken on distribution and sales responsibilities, with product license rights set to be transferred gradually starting next year. 

Key products include Grasin, Neurasta, and Romiplate in the hematology sector, as well as Nesp, Regpara, and Orkedia in nephrology. This acquisition enables DKSH to sustain its partnership with Kyowa Kirin’s collaborators, Boryung and LG Chem, preserving the existing collaboration framework.

This acquisition builds on the strategic partnership between DKSH and Kyowa Kirin, aimed at strengthening their business across the Asia-Pacific region. Under this arrangement, DKSH will manage the import, distribution, and sales of Kyowa Kirin’s products in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macau. 

Established in 1865 and headquartered in Switzerland, DKSH is a global corporation with reported revenues exceeding 17.1 trillion won (or $12.7 billion) in 2023. In Korea, DKSH oversees the local licensing, distribution, and sales and marketing of several key products, including the hypertension drug Atacand, the malaria treatment Lariam, the anticancer therapy Vesanoid, the antifungal medication Fungizone, and the ophthalmic treatment Visudyne.

Kim Han-sang who heads DKSH Korea's Healthcare Business Division, said in a statement, “We started our activities in the specialty drug market in February with the launch of Atacand for hypertension, and with the addition of Kyowa Kirin’s products, we expect to further strengthen DKSH's position and activities in the specialty drug market.”

Kim also stated, “Through our comprehensive activities covering the licensing, marketing, sales, academic, and distribution of specialty drugs, we will increase the accessibility of specialty drugs to Korean patients and provide a wider range of differentiated, high-quality medical products through academic partnerships with Korean medical staff. In addition to our enhanced product offerings, we are pleased to welcome talented individuals from across Kyowa Kirin's existing divisions to strengthen our capabilities for future growth.”