Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Kabi have announced a strategic partnership to address the significant unmet need for iron deficiency treatments in China, establishing a joint venture focused on marketing and medical affairs for intravenous iron products.
The newly formed alliance gives Vifor Pharma a 55% controlling stake, while Fresenius Kabi holds 45%. Under the agreement, Fresenius Kabi will take full responsibility for marketing Vifor's intravenous iron portfolio throughout China, leveraging its established presence and business relationships in the region.
Addressing a Critical Healthcare Need
China currently faces a substantial public health challenge with iron deficiency anemia, affecting approximately 20% of its population - the largest such population globally. The current standard of care primarily relies on blood transfusions, a practice that has become increasingly unsustainable as blood demand exceeds supply, according to World Health Organization (WHO) assessments.
The partnership's strategic importance lies in its potential to implement WHO recommendations for improved clinical blood use and reduction of unnecessary transfusions. The collaboration will target more than 2,000 tier 3 hospitals, engaging with over 20,000 anesthesiologists and 25,000 surgeons to promote effective patient blood management (PBM) practices.
Strategic Implementation and Market Access
The joint venture will concentrate on three key areas: marketing, market access, and medical affairs activities for the intravenous iron portfolio. This builds upon an existing collaborative foundation between the two companies, who already operate together through Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma.
Mats Henriksson, CEO of Fresenius Kabi, emphasized the partnership's significance: "This collaboration with Vifor Pharma is an important step in providing a significant number of patients access to vital blood management treatment. Vifor Pharma has a world leading iron deficiency portfolio and combined with our strong foothold and long-term business relationships in China, this partnership will help to better serve the needs of patients and healthcare professionals across China."
Expanding Treatment Access
The initiative aims to revolutionize iron deficiency treatment approaches in China by:
- Introducing advanced intravenous iron therapies
- Implementing modern patient blood management protocols
- Supporting healthcare professionals in nephrology and other specialized fields
- Reducing dependence on blood transfusions
This partnership represents a significant step forward in addressing China's iron deficiency challenges, combining Vifor's pharmaceutical expertise with Fresenius Kabi's established market presence to improve patient care standards across the country.
