Daewoong wins approval for GERD treatment Fexuclu in Chile

South Korean pharmaceutical company Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on Tuesday that it has received marketing authorization from Chile's National Medicines Agency Department (ANAMED) within the Public Health Institute for its gastroesophageal reflux disease drug (GERD) Fexuclue, which contains the active ingredient Fexuprazan.

This marks the third country in which Daewoong has obtained product approval, following the Philippines in November last year and Ecuador last month.

The company has applied for product approval for Fexuclue in 11 countries and plans to increase the number of applications to over 20 by the end of the year. The drug will be released sequentially, starting with the Philippines.

Fexuclue is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-Cab) drug that Daewoong launched in Korea in July last year. It is used to treat erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, acute and chronic gastritis and improve gastric mucosal disease.

"Our company, which achieved the first Korean drug approval in Chile, will take the lead in pioneering overseas markets and play an active role in the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry," said Jeon Seng-ho, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical. "We will accelerate our overseas expansion drive with the goal of entering 100 countries by 2027."

Write to Ji-Hyun Lee at bluesky@hankyung.com