Pfizer Korea and Hanlim MS said they entered into a co-marketing agreement for the drug Xeljanz (ingredient: tofacitinib citrate), a drug used in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases.

This collaboration aims to expand the availability and benefits of Xeljanz to a wider patient demographic through combined efforts in distribution and marketing.

Xeljanz is the first oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved in Korea for rheumatoid arthritis treatment, having received approval in 2014.

The treatment is also authorized for treating ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and pediatric psoriatic arthritis.

"Having led the market for inflammatory and immune disease therapies for more than a decade, we are excited to explore new opportunities with Hanlim MS to build on our strengths and capabilities," Pfizer Korea General Manager Oh Dong-wook said. "Together, we look forward to bringing the differentiated therapeutic benefits of Xeljanz to more healthcare providers and patients, and realizing Pfizer's commitment to transforming patients lives."

Hanlim MS Vice Chairman Kim Jung-jin also said, "We are excited to be partnering with Pfizer Korea for Xeljanz."

The company looks forward to working together to improve the health of more patients, while leveraging the synergies of its long-standing presence in the field of inflammatory immune diseases to expand its market performance, he added.