Seoul, South Korea, July 29, 2026 - 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, has further expanded its prescription drug business in South Korea through a strategic partnership with Novartis, adding the hypertension treatments Diovan® and Exforge® to its portfolio. Under the partnership, DKSH Korea will be responsible for local sales, medical affairs, and marketing activities for the two products, further strengthening its capabilities and competitiveness in the prescription drug market.
Building on its existing portfolio, which includes AstraZeneca’s hypertension treatment Atacand and hematology and nephrology treatments from Kyowa Kirin, the collaboration with Novartis represents another strategic partnership in the prescription drug sector, continuing its growth momentum and further strengthening both its portfolio and position in the Korean market. Entering a new chapter with a renewed vision for growth of its Business Unit Healthcare, DKSH is uniquely positioned to connect innovation with access, bringing together its integrated end-to-end commercialization platform, deep local expertise, and patient-centric performance culture to deliver impact at scale. By combining strong partnerships, disciplined execution, and a shared commitment to patients, DKSH will continue to simplify complexity and expand access to healthcare solutions across Korea.
Diovan and Exforge are well-established hypertension treatments that have been widely prescribed for many years across cardiology departments and primary care institutions in Korea. Through this partnership, DKSH Korea will further strengthen its existing cardiovascular portfolio and leverage its established medical and marketing capabilities to expand the local market presence of both products.
As part of the partnership, DKSH Korea also plans to add professionals with strong product expertise and an in-depth understanding of the market to its team, laying a solid foundation for the continued growth of its prescription drug business.
Hans Kim, General Manager of Healthcare, DKSH Korea, said: “This strategic partnership with Novartis builds on DKSH Korea’s progress in establishing itself as a trusted partner in the prescription drug market. By combining highly qualified professionals with our proven capabilities, we will continue to improve access to prescription medicines and deliver differentiated, high-quality healthcare products to patients and healthcare professionals in Korea.”
About DKSH
For more than 160 years, DKSH has been delivering growth for companies in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America 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, e-commerce, distribution and logistics as well as after-sales services, following its purpose of enriching people’s lives. 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 35 markets with 26,840 specialists, generating net sales of CHF 11.1 billion in 2025. DKSH Business Unit Healthcare distributes pharmaceuticals, consumer health, over-the-counter products and medical devices. With around 7,580 specialists, the Business Unit generated net sales of CHF 5.8 billion in 2025. www.dksh.com/hec