Under the terms of the agreement, Pioneer will act as Tillotts’ exclusive and long-term partner, for the promotion and distribution of Asacol® Tablets 800mg in China, a first-line treatment option for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). This partnership reflects Tillotts’ ongoing dedication to making Asacol® globally accessible to patients who are impacted by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
This alliance is strategically vital for both Tillotts and Pioneer, especially in light of the growing prevalence of IBD among patients in China. The country has one of the highest rates of IBD cases in Asia, with incidence levels having increased two to three times over the past decade. ¹,²
Thomas A. Tóth von Kiskér, Chief Executive Officer at Tillotts, emphasized:
“A significant aspect of our Vision 2030 is to expand our presence in key global markets through carefully chosen partnerships. With Pioneer’s strong distribution network and deep market knowledge, we are positive that this partnership will further accelerate our growth. We are excited to have signed this agreement, kickstart our collaboration, and strengthen our commercial footprint in China.” He further noted, “With Pioneer as our strategic partner in the Chinese market, we are confident in our ability to enhance the well-being of IBD patients in the region.”
Mr. Xinzhou Paul Li, Chairman, Shanghai Pioneer Holding Ltd. said:
“We are delighted and deeply honored to embark on our partnership with Tillotts, a global leader in gastrointestinal (GI) field. Asacol®, with its impressive track record of efficacy and safety, has a wealth of clinical experience in treating IBD worldwide. At Pioneer, we will be dedicated to making Asacol® accessible to the increasing number of Chinese patients battling IBD, leveraging our extensive gastrointestinal sales network and collaborations with key opinion leaders in the field.”
About Tillotts
Tillotts Pharma AG, part of the Japanese Zeria Group, is a fast-growing specialty pharma company with over 400 employees in Switzerland and abroad. Tillotts is dedicated to the development, acquisition and commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical products for the digestive system. Tillotts successfully markets its own products for the treatment of IBD and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) as well as in-licensed products in around 65 countries through its affiliates within Europe and a network of partners throughout the world.
The rights to the trademark Asacol® are owned by Tillotts. Copyright© by Tillotts Pharma AG. All rights reserved. For more information, please visit www.tillotts.com
About Zeria
Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., founded in 1955, based in Tokyo, Japan, focuses on R&D, manufacturing and sales of prescription drugs as well as OTC products. The company is listed on the First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange (Stock code: 4559). Zeria holds a leading position within the gastroenterology field in Japan and operates internationally through a number of subsidiaries. For more information about Zeria, please visit www.zeria.co.jp.
About Shanghai Pioneer Holding Ltd.
Shanghai Pioneer Holding Ltd., formerly known as China Pioneer Pharma Holdings Limited, is a leading comprehensive marketing, promotion and channel management service provider in China, focusing on imported pharmaceutical products and medical devices. With a robust 28-year track record, Pioneer has forged enduring partnerships with numerous esteemed companies from the territories of Europe, the United States and South Korea. The company boasts an extensive promotional network in a variety of therapeutic areas including Cardiovascular, Ophthalmology, Pain management, Gastroenterology, Odontology, Immunology, Gynecology, and more. For more information, please visit: www.pioneer-pharma.com
The company is listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HK.01345).
(1) Cui G and Yuan A (2018) A Systematic Review of Epidemiology and Risk Factors Associated With Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front. Med. 5:183.doi: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00183
(2) Siew C Ng. Emerging leadership lecture: Inflammatory bowel disease in Asia: Emergence of a “Western” disease, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 30 (2015) 440–445