DKSH and Kyowa Kirin Mark Major Milestone by Activating Partnership in Six Asia-Pacific Markets

DKSH and Kyowa Kirin celebrate a pivotal moment with the initiation of the partnership  in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau from the beginning of October. In close collaboration with Kyowa Kirin, DKSH will focus on providing end-to-end healthcare solutions, with an emphasis on improving patient access to healthcare.

Singapore, October 1, 2024 – DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, a Strategic Healthcare Solutions Partner and leading provider of Market Expansion Services for pharmaceutical, over-the-counter (OTC), consumer health and medical device companies, and Kyowa Kirin, a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company, celebrate the activation of the recently announced partnership with a signing ceremony in Tokyo, Japan. The partnership will be initiated in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau, starting on October 1, 2024.

Under this strategic partnership, DKSH will implement an alliance business model that delivers end-to-end healthcare solutions prioritizing healthcare access to patients. The scope of the collaboration includes Kyowa Kirin’s established portfolio for all six markets as well as global brands such as Crysvita and Poteligeo for Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The partnership also includes the transition of Kyowa Kirin employees over to DKSH across these markets, ensuring strong process and knowledge continuity throughout the transition.

“Guided by our ‘Story for Vision 2030’, we have defined a plan to transform our Asia-Pacific (APAC) business to maximize patient access to our medicines and for more optimized and sustainable operations. This requires choosing the right partner to support our transformation journey. Recognizing DKSH’s deep expertise in nephrology, robust distribution networks, strong commercial capabilities, and an important commitment to our employees we are confident that DKSH is the right partner,” stated Abdul Mullick, Ph.D., Chief International Business Officer (CIBO), Kyowa Kirin.   

Bijay Singh, Global Head Business Unit Healthcare, Member of the Executive Committee, DKSH, added: “We are truly excited to be the strategic healthcare solution partner of Kyowa Kirin. The teams from both companies have worked closely in the past months to prepare for a seamless business transition. Tremendous work has gone into building the plans for transition of employees, regulatory requirements, supply chain integration, medical affairs, and commercial plans. I am very proud to see that the teams have collaborated with openness and trust to find the best way forward and overcome any challenges that came along the way. At DKSH, we believe that trust is foundational for all successful long-term partnerships. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership, with a successful kick off starting in October 2024.”   

About DKSH Holding Ltd.

DKSH’s purpose is to enrich people’s lives. For almost 160 years, DKSH has been delivering growth for companies in Asia and beyond across its Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials, and Technology. As a leading Market Expansion Services provider, DKSH offers sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, eCommerce, distribution and logistics as well as after-sales ser-vices. DKSH is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, DKSH operates in 36 markets with 29,040 specialists, generating net sales of CHF 11.1 billion in 2023. As a strategic healthcare business partner, DKSH Business Unit Healthcare distributes pharmaceuticals, consumer health, and over-the-counter products as well as medical devices. With around 8,140 specialists, the Healthcare Business Unit generated net sales of CHF 5.6 billion in 2023. www.dksh.com/hec