AFT starts to license Maxigesic IV with deal in South Korea

Market release

6th November 2018

AFT Pharmaceuticals starts to license Maxigesic IV with deal in South Korea


AFT Pharmaceuticals (‘AFT’) has started the commercialization program for its patented
Maxigesic intravenous (IV) formulation signing a licensing agreement with South Korean
company, Kyongbo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (“Kyongbo Pharm”).

Maxigesic® IV (Paracetamol 1000mg+ Ibuprofen 300mg solution for infusion) has been
developed as a line extension to Maxigesic tablets, for use post-operatively in hospitals
to provide an alternative to opioid-based IV analgesics. A major Phase 3 clinical trial
conducted in Texas and Maryland USA found that
Maxigesic IV provided significantly
better pain relief than either paracetamol (acetaminophen) IV or ibuprofen IV alone in
the same doses and also reduced concomitant use of opioid analgesics.*

AFT Managing Director, Dr Hartley Atkinson says that he is very pleased to conclude this
deal at a time when regulators around the world are raising flags about opioid-based
painkillers. AFT Pharmaceuticals and Kyongbo Pharma are pleased to be partnering in
South Korea to provide an opioid-free IV analgesic with improved analgesic strength
compared to market leading non-opioid based painkillers.

With a population of 51.5 million (2017), South Korea is the 13
th
largest pharmaceutical
market in the world and the third largest in Asia. The market size of South Korea’s
pharmaceutical industry is USD 18.7 billion (as of 2016), making up 1.8% of the
approximately USD 1.1 trillion global pharmaceutical market.

“Maxigesic IV product registration in South Korea is planned to begin in the near future
and we anticipate sales to commence within the FY20 time period.” Said Dr Atkinson.

This is in line with first launches of
Maxigesic IV starting from as early as the middle of
FY20. Importantly these first launches will also allow additional regulatory filings in a
number of other territories in Asia and the Middle East which rely upon registration by
key regulators such as the TGA in Australia.

“This together with launches currently already underway for oral
Maxigesic dose forms
will further significantly grow Maxigesic product sales over the next few years. We are
making progress on the plans originally indicated in our IPO. We have also recently
completed the first regulatory filings of
Maxigesic Oral Liquid off the back of completion
of that development program. A lot of key building blocks that precede growing
international sales of Maxigesic are now well in place.” Said Dr Atkinson.


[End of release]


For more information:
Hartley Atkinson
Managing Director, AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Phone +64 9 488 0232



About KyongBo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
Kyongbo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Asan, South Korea. Today
they are principally engaged in manufacturing, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products
within its domestic market and exporting to more than thirty countries around the world. Kyongbo
Pharmaceutical is a member of Chong Kun Dang Holdings Group.


* Daniels SE et al. Efficacy and safety of an IV acetaminophen/ibuprofen combination after bunionectomy.
A randomized, double-blind, factorial, placebo-controlled trial. Submitted for publication.