Daewoong Pharmaceutical Publishes Updated Insights on UDCA

Comprehensive Review of UDCA Research, Including COVID-19 Prevention

Urusa [photo=Daewoong Pharmaceutical]
Daewoong Pharmaceutical has unveiled the third edition of its comprehensive guide, 'Updated Insights on Urusa' which highlights recent global research on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), the main component of its flagship liver medication, Urusa. This marks the first update in nearly a decade since the second edition was published in 2014 and follows the initial release in 1999, offering a thorough overview of UDCA’s evolving applications and benefits.

UDCA is a bile acid that enhances liver metabolism to facilitate the removal of toxins and waste, helping improve bile flow and reduce cholesterol concentration in bile. Specifically, it protects liver cells by reducing toxic bile acid ratios, promotes bile secretion to remove toxins and waste, exhibits antioxidant effects by eliminating reactive oxygen species, and dissolves and prevents gallstones by reducing cholesterol levels within bile.

The updated edition incorporates the latest research findings, including COVID-19 prevention studies featured in Nature, results from a Phase 4 clinical trial confirming UDCA’s effectiveness in improving liver function in chronic liver disease patients, and UDCA’s inclusion in the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) guidelines for preventing gallstones in post-gastrectomy gastric cancer patients. These findings demonstrate UDCA’s growing importance in various medical fields.

Particular attention is given to UDCA’s potential role in preventing COVID-19. The virus enters cells by using ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors, which are regulated by FXR (farnesoid X receptor). By inhibiting FXR, UDCA naturally suppresses ACE2 receptor expression, effectively blocking the virus’s entry pathway.

Two major retrospective cohort studies conducted in Korea last year, at Jeonbuk National University and Dong-A University, confirmed that UDCA reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection and severe progression. According to the Dong-A University study, chronic liver disease patients taking UDCA experienced a 20 percent lower risk of infection and a 33 percent lower risk of severe progression compared to those not taking UDCA, highlighting its potential in addressing the ongoing pandemic.

To celebrate the release of the updated edition, Daewoong Pharmaceutical hosted online symposiums through the doctor-exclusive platform “Doctorville” and the pharmacist-exclusive platform “Pharmville,” reaching over 3,000 healthcare professionals across Korea. During these symposiums, renowned experts, including Professor Sanghyup Lee from Seoul National University Hospital, Professor Jaeyoung Chang from Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Professor Donggi Jang from Boramae Hospital, and Professor Jongseung Kim from Jeonbuk National University Hospital, presented key findings on UDCA and its potential applications.

“Urusa has long been a trusted treatment in Korea, and the recent Phase 4 trial has reaffirmed its safety and its efficacy in reducing ALT levels,” said Professor Jaeyoung Chang from Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital. “I am optimistic that these results will inform updates to clinical practice guidelines for liver disease, allowing more patients to benefit from this effective treatment,” he added.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to share the latest UDCA research with medical professionals to promote its broader clinical applications and highlight its growing relevance in treating a variety of conditions, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing liver health innovation.

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