Korean pharmaceutical firm Chong Kun Dang said on Tuesday it has obtained patents for the composition of an upgraded version of Telminuvo, a hypertension pill.

The patented composition, granted on June 20 by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, can solve the vulnerability of an ingredient called “telmisartan,” a hypertension treatment component.

Telmisartan is in the form of free acid and its solubility is so low that it needs additives such as alkalinizing agent for clinical use. This additive usually uses sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is weak in moisture.

Until now, this problem has led Telmisartan products to be packaged in a PTP (Press Through Pack) system to prevent air permeation. Therefore, it was not possible to pack it with other medicines.

Chong Kun Dang_종근당 said it is the first to develop such technology that improves resistance to moisture. The company proved its efficacy through clinical studies by finding substances that could replace weak alkalinizing agents such as sodium hydroxide.

During the clinical trial, Telminuvo _텔미누보 showed no signs of visual deformation or changes when exposed to 12 hours of hot and humid conditions, the company said.

Such advancement has allowed for the Telminuvo to disregard the traditional PTP method and be enclosed with other medications.

In addition, Chong Kun Dang improved the convenience of the medicine by reducing the length of the major axis the pill from 14.2mm to 11.1mm.

“Telminuvo has solved the vulnerability of telmisartan, improving the convenience of both taking and prescribing the medicine,” said Im Jong-rae _임종래, director of Chong Kun Dang’s medicine laboratory. “We will continue our research efforts in making Telminuvo, the company’s flagship product, more convenient for patients.”

Telminuvo, Chong Kun Dang’s first compound medication, recorded 14.93 billion won ($13.2 million) in sales in the first half of 2017, up 10.4 percent from the first half of last year, according to a report released by Ubist, a medicine market research firm.