Dong-A ST Launches Darbecron in UAE

Dong-A ST, darbepoetin alfa biosimilar Darbecron (DA-3880) (Provided by Dong-A ST) 'Darbecron (project name DA-3880),' a second-generation anemia treatment biosimilar developed by Dong-A ST, has been officially launched in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. Dong-A ST announced on Oct. 12 local time that it launched Darbecron, a darbepoetin alfa-based biosimilar, in the UAE. Previously, Dong-A ST signed a licensing agreement with UAE pharmaceutical company Julphar in November 2024 for 18 countries in the MENA region. Under the agreement, Julphar has been exclusively responsible for the approval and commercialization in the region, and it began local supply after obtaining product approval from the UAE health authorities in June. Darbecron is a pharmaceutical used for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic renal failure and anemia associated with cancer chemotherapy. Starting with this launch in the UAE, Dong-A ST and Julphar will pursue additional approvals and sales expansion in major countries within the MENA region. The two companies plan to rapidly increase their market share in the Middle East through close cooperation. The proven profitability already established in the Japanese market serves as a solid foundation for this entry into the Middle East. Dong-A ST entered into an out-licensing agreement with Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho (SKK) in Japan in 2014 and obtained manufacturing and sales approval in 2019. This product, which is being sold in Japan under the name 'Darbepoetin Alfa BS Injection Sanwa,' successfully established itself in the market by recording sales of 16 billion 500 million won ($12,692,307) in 2024 and 26 billion 700 million won ($20,538,461) in 2025. Dong-A ST is employing a tailored regulatory approval strategy for each region. While nurturing Darbecron as a 'Nesp' biosimilar in Japan, the MENA region, and Turkey, the company is concurrently developing it as an 'Aranesp' biosimilar in major advanced markets such as the United States and Europe. An official from Dong-A ST stated, "With the successful product approval and launch in the UAE, we have established a foundation for expanding into the MENA market," adding, "We plan to steadily pursue development for our entry into the global market, including the United States and Europe, while simultaneously increasing the number of countries where the product is sold through our cooperation with Julphar."