Daewon Pharmaceutical's 'Peluby (ingredient name: pelubiprofen)' has established itself as the representative domestically produced new drug and is preparing for a new leap. Peluby is the 12th domestic new drug developed by Daewon Pharmaceutical, and it has maintained its top position in the domestic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) market for seven years.
Daewon Pharmaceutical recently launched 'Peluby ES Tablets,' establishing a solid product lineup alongside the existing 'Peluby Tablets' and 'Peluby Sustained Release Tablets.' Since receiving approval for Peluby Tablets, an NSAIDs class analgesic for osteoarthritis, in 2007, the company has been focusing on this market for 18 years.
The company noted that Peluby Tablets are remarkably effective for pain relief and anti-inflammation compared to existing products, and that side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances have been reduced, making it less burdensome for long-term use. Additionally, by adding the fever indication for 'acute upper respiratory infection' for the first time in Korea, prescriptions for colds have also become possible, thus expanding into the respiratory market. Peluby Tablets grew into a blockbuster drug, recording sales of 14.5 billion won in 2017.
To enhance patient convenience, Daewon Pharmaceutical continued its research and launched Peluby Sustained Release Tablets. The drug is released slowly, providing prolonged efficacy, which means fewer doses are needed. In 2015, Daewon Pharmaceutical received approval for Peluby Sustained Release Tablets, which reduced the dosage frequency to two times a day. It also decreased side effects, such as gastrointestinal disturbances and edema, which are common side effects of NSAIDs, and reduced the size of the tablets for easier ingestion.
The company has received awards for Peluby Sustained Release Tablets, including the Technology Award at the 2016 Korea New Drug Development Awards and the Minister's Award from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at the Korea Technology Awards. Peluby Sustained Release Tablets also had indications added for 'post-traumatic pain' in 2020 and 'primary dysmenorrhea' in 2022, recording sales of 31.6 billion won as a single product last year.
The Peluby ES Tablets launched this year have further increased the competitiveness of the Peluby series. The addition of trometamol to the active ingredient, pelubiprofen, has improved solubility and reduced gastrointestinal side effects. Comparative tests showed that the damage to the gastric mucosa was reduced by more than half, demonstrating the efficacy in improving gastrointestinal side effects.
According to the pharmaceutical market research agency UBIST, the domestic prescription volume and number of prescriptions for the Peluby series have firmly maintained the top position in the NSAIDs class since 2018. The domestic prescription sales increased from 29.9 billion won in 2020 to 41.2 billion won in 2022, and is projected to reach 62.2 billion won in 2024.
A representative from Daewon Pharmaceutical said, 'We are not resting on the success of the Peluby series and are currently working hard to find ways for patients to receive safer treatments by moving between medical professionals and patients.' They added, 'We will continue to dedicate ourselves to research and development (R&D) to ensure Peluby can provide the best treatment options for patients.'