Handok said it finalized an exclusive distribution and supply agreement with Nxera Pharma Korea, the offshoot of a Japan-based pharmaceutical company Nxera, for Pivlaz, a drug designed to prevent cerebral vasospasm, vasospasm-related cerebral infarction, and cerebral ischemic symptoms after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysms can lead to severe conditions and even death, posing significant challenges in medical settings due to the lack of effective medication.

Statistically, at least 25 percent of these hemorrhage patients die, and about half of the survivors suffer from neurological deficits.

Cerebral vasospasm following such hemorrhages can double the risk of death, bringing about severe complications like local paralysis, speech disorders, and decreased consciousness, highlighting the critical need for proactive prevention and treatment.

The accord follows the two companies' collaboration since 2008, with Handok conducting clinical trials in Korea and navigating the regulatory approval process on behalf of Nxera Pharma Korea.

Pivlaz, officially approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Dec. 7, 2023, is a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist and is designed for adults who have undergone surgical interventions such as clipping or coiling to treat aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages.

The drug aims to prevent not only cerebral vasospasms but also related complications like cerebral infarction and ischemic symptoms.

"Handok has been committed to introducing necessary new drugs in areas with limited treatment options," Handok Chairman Kim Young-jin said. "With Pivlaz, we aim to ensure that no patient loses their life opportunities due to post-hemorrhage cerebral vasospasm."

Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of Nxera and Chairman of Nxera Pharma Korea Satoshi Tanaka also said, "Pivlaz has the potential to transform the lives of patients, and we are confident that Handok's extensive experience and leadership in the Korean market will play a significant role in successfully launching Pivlaz by early 2025, establishing it as a necessary treatment option for doctors and patients in Korea."