The launch of the third product is imminent in the P-CAB (potassium competitive acid blocker) class gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment market that has grown to post sales of KRW 140 billion a year.

With Onconic Therapeutics, a new drug development subsidiary of Jeil Pharmaceutical, filing an application for the marketing authorization approval of Zastaprazan, competition between this drug and the existing K-Cab (tegoprazan) and Fexclue (fexuprazan) is expected to intensify from next year at the earliest, triggering a 3-way race.

The industry predicts that competition for indications between the three drugs will intensify along with the approval of Zastaprazan.