Southeast Asia’s pharmaceutical market is continuing to expand as rising populations and increasing rates of chronic diseases drive demand for long-term treatment solutions. Against this backdrop, Korean pharmaceutical companies are accelerating regional partnerships to strengthen their presence in fast-growing emerging markets.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced on Wednesday that it has signed a supply agreement with global healthcare company Organon covering the Malaysian and Philippine markets. The partnership is aimed at expanding the companies’ collaboration across Southeast Asia.
Under the agreement, Hanmi Pharmaceutical will supply three combination-drug products in the cardiovascular and respiratory treatment segments, while Organon will oversee local marketing, distribution, and sales operations. The two companies plan to pursue phased regulatory approvals and product launches in both countries.
Industry observers say Southeast Asia is emerging as one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets due to urbanization, aging populations, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as hypertension and respiratory disorders. Demand for combination therapies has also been rising as healthcare providers seek to improve treatment efficiency and patient convenience.
Organon, launched in 2021, operates a portfolio of more than 70 products across multiple therapeutic areas. The company supplies pharmaceuticals and medical devices in more than 140 markets worldwide through its global manufacturing and commercial network.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical has been expanding its global footprint through partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies, leveraging its strength in combination-drug development. Industry analysts note that Korean drugmakers are increasingly moving beyond technology licensing deals and pursuing broader commercialization partnerships that utilize local distribution and sales networks.
Mazen Altaruti, Organon’s head of emerging markets, said the partnership reflects the companies’ shared goal of expanding treatment options and improving healthcare accessibility for patients in Malaysia and the Philippines.
Hwang Sang-yeon, CEO of Hanmi Pharmaceutical, said the company plans to further strengthen its global business expansion strategy based on its combination-drug portfolio and deepen cooperation in the Southeast Asian market through the partnership with Organon.
