Aachen, Germany – September 28, 2026 -- Grünenthal and DKSH Business Unit Healthcare have signed a new commercialisation agreement to bring four pain medicines, Qutenza, Vimovo, Palexia and Zomig, to eight Asia-Pacific markets: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
DKSH takes over local regulatory filings and distribution across eight markets
Under the agreement, DKSH will seek local marketing authorisations and handle marketing, medical affairs, market access, sales and distribution for the four medicines in each of the eight markets, pending regulatory approval. Grünenthal will retain manufacturing responsibility through its global production network. Each market could gain access to up to four new medicines depending on approval timelines.
Partnership builds on a 2023 alliance covering Nebido, Zomig and Tramal
Grünenthal and DKSH first partnered in 2023, when DKSH took over commercialisation of Nebido, Zomig and Tramal in selected Asia-Pacific markets. The new deal expands that scope, adding Qutenza, Vimovo and Palexia, while extending Zomig into additional markets not covered by the earlier agreement.
Aging populations and chronic disease burden drive regional demand
Grünenthal cites an aging population and a high burden of chronic diseases as key drivers of pain-related healthcare demand in Asia-Pacific, with population figures and global chronic pain prevalence estimates pointing to hundreds of millions of potential patients in the region.
Jan Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Grünenthal, said the partnership extends the reach of proven pain therapies to patients across the region. Patrik Grande, Global Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH, said the deal leverages DKSH's regional partnership model and end-to-end commercialisation platform to accelerate market access.
Four therapies span neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis, migraine and severe chronic pain
Qutenza treats peripheral neuropathic pain; Vimovo addresses osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in patients at NSAID-related gastric risk; Zomig is indicated for acute migraine and cluster headache treatment; and Palexia, an opioid analgesic, is indicated for severe chronic pain and moderate-to-severe acute pain management, including pediatric use under hospital-controlled conditions.