Ildong Pharmaceutical said it will export benidipine hydrochloride, its cardiovascular active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), to Guangzhou Tosun Pharmaceutical in China.

Benidipine hydrochloride is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) drug that blocks the movement of calcium ions involved in the contraction of blood vessels and heart muscle to dilate blood vessels.

It also relieves the burden on the heart and is mainly used to treat hypertension and angina pectoris.

Under the accord, Ildong will supply Tosun with benidipine hydrochloride, and Tosun will distribute and sell the API to related companies in China.

Tosun is a pharmaceutical company located in Guangzhou, China, specializing in the pharmaceutical raw materials and intermediates business and has more than 1,500 customers in both Chinese and global markets.

"Ildong's benidipine hydrochloride is synthesized and manufactured using our own technology and is recognized for its excellence as it is exported to countries such as Japan," an Ildong official said. "In China, the number of cardiovascular patients is steadily increasing, and related markets such as demand for therapeutics have great potential for growth."

With this agreement, Ildong plans to expand its business scope and focus on entering the Chinese market, he added.