Dong-A ST and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Korea have signed an agreement to jointly sell Edarbi (Ingredient: azilsartan), a hypertension pill, in the Korean market, Dong-A ST said Wednesday.

Under the agreement, Dong-A ST_동아ST and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Korea _{한국다케다제약} will be in charge of sales in general hospitals, while Dong-A ST will also take charge of sales in hospitals and clinics in provinces.

Edarbi is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) type hypertension pill, with blood pressure lowering effects and safety.

The results of phase 3 clinical trials with stage 1 and 2 hypertension patients showed that the 24-hour blood pressure lowering effect was superior compared to Olmesartan and Valsartan. In safety tests, Edarbi showed similar results between the control medication and placebo.

Hypertension, a journal by the American Heart Association, also published the trial results in their 2011 issue.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals Korea obtained approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on May 26. The drug is set to release in early 2018.

“The agreement with Takeda has secured an ARB-based hypertension drug for Dong-A ST, further strengthening our cardiovascular drug portfolio,” said Kang Soo-hyung, vice president of Dong-A ST. “We will do our best to contribute to improving the quality of life of hypertension patients through close cooperation with Takeda Pharmaceuticals Korea.”

Takeda Pharmaceutical Korea also showed enthusiasm for the cooperative agreement.

“We hope to create synergy in the hypertension market and help hypertension patients by working with Dong-A ST,” said Mahender Nayak, general manager of Takeda Pharmaceutical Korea.