HK inno.N said Monday that it has signed a domestic supply agreement with Roche Korea for the influenza treatment Tamiflu (oseltamivir).  Under the agreement, HK inno.N began distributing Roche Korea's Tamiflu capsules in Korea  last Thursday.

Tamiflu is a widely prescribed antiviral medication for treating influenza types A and B. It works by inhibiting the release of viral particles, halting the spread of infection. Approved for use in both children and adults, including infants as young as two weeks old, Tamiflu is recognized globally as a leading influenza treatment. 

It is commonly used within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms and can also be prescribed for flu prevention.

Influenza, a contagious respiratory illness, poses significant risks, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic conditions. Unlike the common cold, influenza can lead to severe complications, often requiring hospitalization and, in some cases, causing death.

While flu rates declined temporarily during the Covid-19 pandemic, they have rebounded in the post-pandemic period, with outbreaks persisting for over a year. This resurgence has driven steady growth in the market for influenza treatments.

“Following our collaboration with Roche Korea last year on the distribution and co-promotion of the influenza treatment Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), we are expanding our strategic partnership to include Tamiflu,” said Kwak Dal-won, CEO of HK inno.N. “Through this distribution agreement, we aim to ensure a stable supply of Tamiflu and contribute to improving public health.”