Mundipharma partners with Kolon Life Science to market cell-medicated gene therapy

Mundipharma has announced a strategic partnership with Kolon Life Science to market Invossa, cell-medicated gene therapy for osteoarthritis, expected to be approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), in the second quarter of 2017.

Invossa is an intra-articular injection that is non-surgical treatment option. Demonstrating sustained pain reduction and functional improvement of articular joint for two years following a single injection in clinical trials.

Under the terms of the partnership, Mundipharma will be responsible for the marketing and distribution of Invossa to general and semi-private hospitals, while Kolon Pharma will take responsibility for the general practitioner market. Invossa is exported globally by Mitsubishi Tanabe.

"Mundipharma is attracted to strategic partnerships that extend our ability to respond to patient needs in specific markets as well as improving treatment outcomes globally," said Raman Singh , CEO, Mundipharma. "This partnership levers the strength of our network capability and experience to ensure that hospitals, GPs and patients are informed and supported in the introduction of this new breakthrough treatment of osteoarthritic pain in Korea and beyond."

The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) defines osteoarthritis (OA) as 'a disorder involving movable joints characterized by cell stress and extracellular matrix degradation initiated by micro- and macro-injury that activates maladaptive repair responses including pro-inflammatory pathways of innate immunity'.

Korea has an estimated five million patients requiring access to orthopaedic treatments every year, says Woo-Sok Lee President and CEO, Kolon Life Sciences. "Mundipharma is well - respected in the orthopaedic and neurosurgical community and has proven sales and marketing capabilities in the area of pain management and advanced wound dressing products in markets worldwide. "

"They are an ideal partner to help establish Invossa in Korea and worldwide as we look to scale Invossa TM as a global standard treatment option."