Handok launches marketing for potent diabetic drug “Tenelia,” which has helped seven out of 10 diabetics reach target blood glucose levels.

– The DPP-4 inhibitor Tenelia has a 69.4 percent success rate in helping diabetics reach target blood glucose levels, showing strong efficacy.

– By taking it only once a day, post–meal hyperglycemia, including after dinner, can be controlled. Also, it could be prescribed to all nephropathy patients without adjusting the usage or dosage.

– With the strong efficacy of Tenelia and the successful sales of Amaryl, Handok aims to achieve great success with Tenelia in the diabetes market.

On 10, Handok (Chairman and CEO: Kim Young-jin) announced the launch of the new DPP-4 inhibitor diabetes drug Tenelia (Teneligliptin).

Tenelia is particularly impressive as it has allowed approximately seven out of 10 diabetes patients to reach their target blood glucose levels (HbA1c<7.0%), showing the highest success rate among DPP-4 inhibitors. Since its half-life is 24 hours, it efficiently controls even post–dinner blood glucose levels. Another significant advantage of Tenelia is that it can be prescribed to all patients without adjusting its usage or dosage.

Korean clinical studies have proven the excellent efficacy of Tenelia in achieving target blood glucose levels. After being administered 20-milligram doses of Tenelia over a period of 24 weeks, 69.4 percent of diabetes patients reached their target blood glucose levels (HbA1c<7.0%), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was reduced by 0.9 percent in comparison with the baseline. Since diabetes has to be controlled throughout a patient’s entire life, it is important to consistently maintain target blood glucose levels. If target levels are not maintained, diverse complications, such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and heart failure, may occur. According to the Korean Diabetes Association, the rate of Korean diabetes patients currently achieving target blood glucose levels (HbA1c<7.0%) is four out of 10.

Handok Chairman Kim Young-jin said, “By combining the high efficacy of Tenelia in reducing blood glucose levels and Handok’s experience successfully marketing Amaryl, we will make Tenelia the seventh most prevalent DPP-4 inhibitor, or the “lucky seven drug.” Following treatment with Tenelia alone, we plan to introduce a combination of Tenelia and metformin.”

Tenelia was developed by Mitsubishi Tanabe in Japan, and Handok will produce the drug in Korea and handle its marketing and sales. The company will produce Tenelia in single 20-milligram doses to be administered once a day at a price of KRW 739 which is the lowest among DPP-4 inhibitors.