Dong-A ST (170900.KS) has launched its in-house developed anemia biosimilar in the United Arab Emirates, accelerating its push into the Middle East market. The company aims to build a new growth base in the Middle East and North Africa after expanding sales in Japan.
Dong-A ST said on the 12th that it has launched Darbecron, a second-generation anemia biosimilar whose active ingredient is darbepoetin alfa and which was developed under the code name DA-3880, in the UAE.
The launch marks Dong-A ST's first commercialization in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In November 2024, the company signed a licensing-out agreement with UAE drugmaker Julphar covering 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Under the deal, Julphar handles local product approval and sales.
Julphar obtained approval for Darbecron in the UAE in June this year and began local sales. The two companies plan to expand approvals and sales to major countries across the Middle East and North Africa, starting with the UAE.
Darbecron treats anemia that occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease or those undergoing chemotherapy. It was developed based on darbepoetin alfa, which stimulates red blood cell production.
Dong-A ST is also increasing Darbecron sales in Japan. After signing a licensing-out agreement with Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho (SKK) in 2014, it received local manufacturing and marketing approval in 2019. In Japan, the drug is sold under the name Darbepoetin Alfa BS Injection Sanwa.
Japan sales rose about 62% to 26.7 billion won last year from 16.5 billion won in 2024. Dong-A ST sells or is developing Darbecron as a Nesp biosimilar in Japan, the Middle East and North Africa, and Turkey, while pursuing development as an Aranesp biosimilar in the United States and Europe.
"With the approval and launch of Darbecron in the UAE, we have laid the groundwork for expanding into the Middle East and North Africa market," a Dong-A ST official said. "We will work with local partners to increase the number of countries where the drug is sold, while pressing ahead without delay on development for entry into major markets such as the United States and Europe."