Daewoong Bio, a brain health specialist company, announced on January 13 that it has launched a 5mg low-dose formulation of Glyvicsa (memantine hydrochloride), an Alzheimer's-type dementia treatment. Following the existing 10mg and 20mg versions, the company aims to expand dementia treatment options by completing its full dosage lineup.
Glyvicsa has shown steady growth, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% from 2021 through last year. It currently ranks second in outpatient prescription value among memantine-class prescription drugs and holds the top position in the generic market, excluding the original product.
Daewoong Bio plans to accelerate the expansion of Glyvicsa prescriptions and further strengthen its market position. "With the expanded range of Glyvicsa dosages, medical professionals can now make more precise prescriptions based on patients' symptoms, tolerability, and kidney function," a Daewoong Bio official said. "This also enables us to provide a customized treatment environment for patients."
Despite its excellent therapeutic efficacy, memantine hydrochloride, the active ingredient in Glyvicsa, can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, and drowsiness in early-stage patients. This requires a gradual titration process starting at 5mg and increasing over three weeks. Patients with moderate to severe renal impairment also require dose reduction to 10mg daily. The launch of Daewoong Bio's 5mg product is expected to improve medication convenience.
Daewoong Bio plans to maximize synergies between Glyvicsa and its central nervous system (CNS) portfolio, including Gliatamin, Cerebrain, and Veacept. Through this, the company aims to establish a "total solution" in the dementia treatment field. "With the launch of Glyvicsa 5mg, we have further strengthened the foundation for precision treatment tailored to patient conditions, from the initial titration stage to maintenance therapy," CEO Jin Seong-gon of Daewoong Bio said. "Based on synergies with our existing CNS product portfolio, we will provide comprehensive solutions across dementia treatment."
