A series of South Korean pharmaceutical companies are challenging the patents on Novartis’ heart medicine Entresto (sacubitril, valsartan plus sodium salt hydrate complex). Starting with Elyson Pharm filing a patent trial as a first in last year, 18 other companies expressed their intention to release their generics early.

According to a pharmaceutical industry source on Feb. 16, South Korean pharmaceutical companies like CTC Bio, Boryung Pharmaceutical, Yuyu Pharma, Corepharm Bio, Kyperion, MFC, Sinil Pharmaceutical, Daewon Pharmaceutical, Yooyoung Pharmaceutical, Hana Pharm, Hanlim Pharm, Ahn-gook Pharm, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Chong Gun Dang, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Genuonesciences, Samjin Pharmace