Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Kabi create JV in China

Swiss drugmaker Vifor Pharma (VTX: VIFN) today said it has entered into strategic partnership with Germany-headquartered Fresenius Kabi to create a new joint company based in the People’s Republic of China expanding its access to the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world.

The joint company will be 55% owned by Vifor Pharma and 45% by Fresenius Kabi. The latter will be fully responsible for the commercialization of the intravenous iron portfolio in China, covering more than 20,000 anesthesiologists and 25,000 surgeons in more than 2,000 tier 3 hospitals to support PBM as well as working with HCPs for other indications including nephrology.

There is a high unmet medical need for Vifor’s intravenous iron products in China with the country having the world’s largest iron deficiency anemia (IDA) population with prevalence estimated at 20%.

The strategic partnership also expands Vifor Pharma’s cooperation with the Fresenius Group, as Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma is an already existing joint company with Fresenius Medical Care.