Q. What was behind the decision to expand the partnership with DKSH and bring four Grünenthal medicines to eight additional markets across Asia-Pacific? 

We see a significant unmet medical need across Asia-Pacific, driven by an ageing population and the growing burden of chronic pain. Hundreds of millions of people in the region may be living with chronic pain, based on population figures and global estimates of chronic pain prevalence. Against this backdrop, healthcare infrastructure is becoming increasingly sophisticated in Asia-Pacific.

Expanding access to innovative pain therapies around the world is an important part of Grünenthal’s strategy. Through this latest partnership with DKSH we can build on an established relationship and proven capabilities, creating a strong foundation to scale our presence and bring important medicines  to more patients.

Qutenza®, Vimovo®, Palexia® and Zomig® have already delivered meaningful benefits to millions of patients worldwide. Together with DKSH, we aim to extend access to these proven therapies across Asia-Pacific and address the diverse needs of people living with pain.

This partnership marks an important step in our ambition to improve patient care, expand access to effective treatment and advance Grünenthal’s vision of a World Free of Pain.

Q. The portfolio includes Qutenza, Vimovo, Palexia and Zomig, covering different pain-related conditions. How did you decide which medicines were the right fit for these APAC markets? 

We have carefully assessed the clinical profiles of our products against the needs of patients in the region and the currently available therapeutic alternatives and are confident that they can provide differentiated and much-needed treatment options to reach more patients requiring effective pain treatment.

Providing a portfolio of pain medicines also creates valuable synergies across our products and establishes a strong platform for us to potentially make further Grünenthal medicines available to patients in the region. Ultimately, our ambition is to leverage these capabilities to broaden access to effective treatment and help as many patients as possible achieve better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Q. DKSH will handle regulatory approvals as well as marketing, sales and distribution. How will this local market expertise help Grünenthal bring the medicines to patients more efficiently?

The strength of our partnership is in bringing together complementary capabilities and expertise, with both partners contributing their respective strengths to, ultimately, improve access and outcomes for patients.

DKSH brings deep local market expertise to the partnership, starting with strong regulatory capabilities. Its established distribution, sales and marketing infrastructure across a broad range of markets also provides the opportunity for an integrated, “one-stop” commercialisation solution.

At the same time, Grünenthal contributes its expertise in innovative pain therapies and patient care, as well as our global integrated manufacturing network. By combining these complementary strengths, we can navigate local market requirements effectively while ensuring that our medicines reach the people who need them.

Q. Pain management needs can vary significantly across Asia-Pacific. What are you learning about the needs of patients and healthcare providers in these markets, and how does that shape your regional strategy? 

We see a strong and evolving foundation for improving pain care across Asia-Pacific. Academic hospitals are developing growing networks of pain specialists, while chronic and acute pain services are becoming increasingly specialized and sophisticated. The work of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) to strengthen multidisciplinary pain centres across Asia Pacific is a further indication of the region’s commitment to building sustainable expertise and capacity in pain management. Against this backdrop, it is fitting that the IASP will host its World Congress on Pain in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 26-30 this year, further highlighting the growing focus on pain care and expertise in the region.

At the same time, demographic and socioeconomic trends are increasing the need and opportunity to improve access to effective pain treatment. An ageing population and the rising burden of chronic conditions are increasing the number of people living with pain, while growing healthcare affordability is enabling more patients to seek and access appropriate care.

We see Asia-Pacific as an increasingly important region for advancing pain management. Strengthening access to innovative and effective therapies, while supporting the continued development of pain care, can make a meaningful difference to patients’ quality of life and contribute to better patient outcomes.

Q. Grünenthal and DKSH have already worked together since 2023. What have you learned from the existing partnership that helped shape this larger eight-market agreement? 

Over time, we have developed a strong understanding of each other’s cultures, organizations and ways of working. As trust has grown, so has the openness and transparency of our communication. We value and respect the complementary strengths each partner brings to the relationship and actively challenge each other in a constructive and respectful way. This open dialogue has enabled us to learn, adapt and continuously improve together – further strengthening an already strong and trusted partnership.

Q. Looking ahead, do you see this partnership mainly as a way to expand access to the existing portfolio, or could it also create opportunities for bringing more Grünenthal medicines into Asia-Pacific in the future? 

Yes, absolutely. While the partnership has initially focused on expanding access to our existing portfolio, we see potential to build on this collaboration over time. Grünenthal continues to strengthen its portfolio through both partnerships and acquisitions, including in Asia-Pacific, while also advancing innovative medicines through our own pipeline.

With its established capabilities and market presence across the region, the partnership with DKSH could provide a strong go-to-market platform for future assets, enabling us to bring additional medicines to patients in Asia-Pacific more efficiently. We therefore see opportunity for further collaboration between both companies.