LG Chem is intensifying its efforts to enter the Chinese market for osteoarthritis treatment.
On the 3rd, LG Chem announced the launch of its single-injection osteoarthritis treatment, Synovian (marketed as Hyruan One in China), in collaboration with its Chinese partner, Yifan Pharmaceutical.
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Yifan Pharmaceutical is a comprehensive pharmaceutical company with a diverse portfolio encompassing anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and endocrine/metabolic disease treatments. Employing approximately 6,000 people and generating annual sales of KRW 1 trillion (USD 800 million), the company is renowned for its robust R&D capabilities and commercialization prowess, having been recognized among China’s 100 Most Innovative Pharmaceutical Companies in 2022 (CPIE 100).
Synovian, a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) knee osteoarthritis therapy developed using LG Chem’s proprietary technology, was first launched in Korea in 2014. Notably, it offers therapeutic benefits comparable to multi-injection formulations with just a single injection.
Clinical trials conducted on Chinese knee osteoarthritis patients in Phase 3 demonstrated that Synovian effectively reduces knee pain, improves joint function, and maintains safety standards equivalent to those of multi-injection HA products.
Given Synovian’s convenience in administration, its strong market presence in Korea, and LG Chem’s business insights, the company identified significant potential for rapid market penetration in China. As a result, LG Chem forged a strategic partnership with Yifan Pharmaceutical and systematically prepared for market entry.
Yifan Pharmaceutical initiated local Phase 3 clinical trials in August 2019, submitted marketing approval applications in December 2021, and received approval in April 2023. After approximately a year of negotiations with the Chinese government, Synovian was successfully included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), marking a successful market entry.
According to IQVIA, a pharmaceutical market research firm, the Chinese market for HA injections in osteoarthritis is valued at KRW 200 billion, making it the world’s third-largest market after the United States and Japan. Synovian currently stands as the sole single-injection formulation available in China, providing a clear competitive advantage over the commonly prescribed five-injection regimen (one per week for five weeks).
LG Chem conducted a treatment preference survey among Chinese physicians, revealing that an overwhelming majority (87%) expressed readiness to adopt the single-injection option. They cited benefits such as reduced patient travel and minimized infection risks.
To bolster Yifan Pharmaceutical’s capabilities, LG Chem regularly conducts onboarding programs to transfer its domestic business expertise with Synovian swiftly. Moreover, the company plans to actively support Yifan’s local sales and marketing efforts by developing educational content for healthcare professionals and promoting academic exchanges between Korea and China.
Hwang In-cheol, Senior Vice President of LG Chem’s Primary Care Business Division, emphasized, “Through a strategic collaboration framework, we will expedite market penetration to meet the needs of Chinese arthritis patients seeking innovative treatment options. Leveraging Synovian’s competitive advantages as China’s first single-injection osteoarthritis treatment, we aim to drive a paradigm shift in treatment approaches.”
