AstraZeneca and SK Chemicals said they celebrated the production of the first diabetes combination drug batch (ingredient: dapagliflozin and sitagliptin) after the two companies initiated collaborative efforts in 2020.

Under the accord, AstraZeneca will be responsible for domestic and global commercialization as the marketing authorization holder (MAH), while SK Chemicals will be responsible for the production and supply of the product.

To develop the combination, AstraZeneca supplied SK Chemicals with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and funded research and development, while SK Chemicals conducted R&D and clinical trials in Korea.

"AstraZeneca believes that collaborating with diverse partners is a key strategy to deliver more valuable solutions to patients," said Leon Wang, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca International and China.

Korea is a key country for AstraZeneca's innovation, and the company looks forward to further collaboration to bring valuable solutions and treatments to patients, Wang added.

SK Discovery Vice Chairman Chey Chang-won also said, "This agreement has led to the further recognition of SK Chemicals' pharmaceutical technology and production capabilities, paving the way for us to supply medicines to more countries."

Starting with the diabetes combo drug, the two companies will continue to cooperate and communicate to grow together, Chey added.