- Daewoong and Daiichi Sankyo agreed to co-market Sevikar

- Proved the effect of blood pressure reduction at the launch symposium

Daewoong Pharmaceutical(CEO : Lee, Jong Wook) and Daiichi Sankyo Korea Co., Ltd. announced that they will release Sevikar, a fixed dose combination of amlodipine besylate and olmesartan medoxomil(brand name : Olmetec), on June 10. These two companies decided to put Sevikar on the market on June 10 as it received approval from the KFDA for Sevikar in August, 2008.
Sevikar is a fixed dose combination treatment of amlodipine, the most frequently prescribed CCBs(Calcium Channel Blockers), and Olmetec, one of ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers). Sevikar provides safe blood pressure decline effect through complementary actions of two ingredients, and enables patients who need blood pressure control to reach their goal.
Sevikar has 2 strengths of tablets: 5/20mg(amlodipine 5mg, olmesartan medoxomil 20mg) and 10/20mg(amlodipine 10mg, olmesartan medoxomil 20mg). The price of both dosage is the same(KRW 778), and it is also about the same as that of Olmetec 20mg.
Daewoong and Daiichi Sankyo decided to co-market Sevikar based on their successful experience of co-marketing of the latest angiotensin II receptor blocker, Olmetec.
Before launching Sevikar, Daewoong and Daiichi Sankyo held a symposium at the Silla Hotel on May 13. Professor Choi, Cheol Ho(Seoul National University) took the top of the table at the symposium. Professor Park, Chang Gyu(Korea University) lectured on the topic of ’‘How to manage hypertensive patients who fail to achieve BP goal?’’ and professor Choi, Dong Hun(Yonsei University) lectured on the topic of “New options in the management of hypertension; COACH study”.
Professor Park said, “Only 38% of hypertension patients can reach their treatment goal and the rest of patients cannot. In these cases, doctors should consider prescribing combination therapy; especially, a fixed dose combination therapy of CCB and ARB, which are unaffected by metabolism and more effective than the combination of ARB and diuretics.”
Also, professor Choi said, “According to the COACH study(Combination of Olmesartan medoxomil and Amlodipine besylate in Controlling High blood pressure), Sevikar, a fixed dose combination of amlodipine and Olmetec, not only decreases blood pressure strongly with a synergic effect of two different antihypertensive mechanisms but also reduces peripheral edema, a side effect of amlodipine. Sevikar is expected to be a medication which has both safety and efficacy.”