Zuellig Pharma has signed a partnership agreement with Celltrion, a Korean leading biopharmaceutical group to distribute Regkirona (Regdanvimab) for COVID-19 patients in Korea.

This follows the announcement made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Korea to provide Regkirona free of cost to medical institutions in Korea to treat COVID-19 patients that are aged 60 years and above and who suffer from cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is administered to patients who display COVID-19 symptoms less than seven days after infection and do not require ventilators.

"The partnership with Celltrion aligns with our overall mission of making healthcare more accessible especially for patients who might not be eligible for vaccination. Though Regkirona requires conditions between 2-8 degree Celcius, our advanced cold chain facilities are capable of handling products which require a wider range of temperature conditions including extreme cold temperatures. Our expertise in handling the products, will ensure safe delivery of drugs to those who need it most and we are proud to participate in Korea’s fight against the pandemic," said Erwan Vilfeu, CEO, Zuellig Pharma Korea.

The first distribution of Korea’s first emergency-approved COVID-19 treatment, which requires cold chain delivery started on 17 February 2021.

Zuellig Pharma Korea’s facility and capabilities include cold room chambers and freezer chambers, covering a cumulative area of approximately 10,000 sqm across all warehouses. The cold chain capacity was increased by 26 percent in 2020, with plans to add another 1,000 pallets capacity storage in 2021. Zuellig Pharma Korea delivers cold chain medicines using specialised trucks fitted with thermostats and thermometers. To ensure safe delivery, the organisation deploys highly trained personnel who are adept at handling cold chain products and advanced systems to trace product locations.