Dongkoo Bio & Pharma said it has signed a licensing-in deal with Swedish drugmaker AB Cernelle to sell Cernitol Novum, an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for chronic prostatitis.

Under the agreement, the Korean drugmaker will exclusively supply and distribute Cernitol Novum not only in the local market but China, Taiwan, 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, and six GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) members such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Cernitol Novum is an OTC medication that doubled the efficacy of the active ingredient of Cernilton, which Dongkoo Bio & Pharma began importing in 1978 from AB Cernelle. Cernilton treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic prostatitis.

Dongkoo Bio & Pharma hopes that the latest OTC remedy will perform well in the domestic and overseas prostate treatment market.

“With its natural active ingredients, Cernitol Novum will help not only the middle-aged and the elderly with BPH but younger generations with early-stage symptoms,” said Cho Yong-jun, CEO of Dongkoo Bio & Pharma. “Our company will use the latest deal as an opportunity to reinforce the original OTC drugs portfolio to generate synergies with prescription drugs.”

Established in 1953, AB Cernelle specializes in extracting pollens for medical use. The company focuses on developing therapeutic agents using its unique manufacturing method to produce pollen extracts.

sjh@docdocdoc.co.kr

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