Latuda
Latuda :
Treatment for Schizophrenia
and Bipolar Depression
Latuda is a medication for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression, originally developed by Sumitomo Pharma in Japan. In April 2017, Bukwang Pharmaceutical secured an exclusive license agreement for the development, marketing, sales, and distribution of lurasidone in the South Korean market.
As a mechanism of action, Latuda acts as an antagonist that blocks dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2A and serotonin 5-HT7 receptors in the brain, while functioning as a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and showing minimal affinity for histamine H1 and muscarinic M1 receptors.
Compared to conventional atypical antipsychotics, Latuda demonstrates a lower incidence of metabolic adverse events—such as weight gain, increased prolactin levels, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia—which offers a significant competitive edge in improving patients' social functioning and overall quality of life.
Globally, Latuda is a proven blockbuster drug that achieved over $2 billion in annual sales in the North American market as of 2021, and it has obtained regulatory approvals for the treatment of schizophrenia in 53 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, and the European Union (EU).
In the domestic market, Bukwang Pharmaceutical confirmed statistical non-inferiority compared to quetiapine in its Phase 3 clinical trial for Korean schizophrenia patients in July 2022. Based on these positive top-line results, a New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in October 2022.
Following its marketing authorization in November 2023, Latuda successfully secured national health insurance coverage and launched commercially in August 2024, with its annual sales rapidly surpassing 10 billion KRW as of December 2025.
- Tel.
- 02)8288-114
- Fax.
- 02)8288-029
- Inquiry.
- 080-933-2233