SK Biopharm’s partner Eurofarma has filed for regulatory approval of the epilepsy drug Cenobamate in Brazil, marking a pivotal step towards its Latin American debut. The move could potentially reshape treatment options for millions of epilepsy patients in the region.
Cenobamate, already available in the U.S., Europe, and Canada, is set to enter the Israeli market in 2024. The drug’s expansion into Latin America targets a critical healthcare gap, where over half of the estimated 6 million epilepsy patients lack adequate treatment.
The partnership with Eurofarma, a major pharmaceutical player in Latin America, aims to distribute Cenobamate across 17 countries in the region. SK Biopharm stands to benefit from milestone payments and royalties upon approval and commercialization.
Lee Dong-hoon, SK Biopharm’s President, emphasized the urgency of making Cenobamate available to Latin American patients. However, the drug’s efficacy and potential side effects in this new market remain to be seen.
SK Biopharm’s global strategy has led to partnerships in 30 countries, with Asian clinical trials nearing completion. While this expansion is ambitious, the company faces challenges in navigating diverse healthcare systems and competing with established treatments.
