Daewoong’s US$93M Envlo packaging, distribution deal targets MENA diabetes market with Acino

MENA – Daewoong Pharmaceutical has signed a US$93.3 million export and supply agreement with Acino Pharma for its diabetes drug Envlo, covering packaging and distribution across eight MENA markets including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The South Korean drugmaker’s largest overseas licensing deal to date, valued at approximately 145.2 billion won (US$93.3 million), will see Acino handle commercial packaging, regulatory compliance and logistics across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq and Egypt. 

Acino, a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company within Arcera Life Sciences Group, operates a regional office in Dubai and an extensive distribution network across the Middle East and Africa, focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. 

Daewoong plans to obtain regulatory approval for Envlo in Saudi Arabia later this year, with launches expected in the first half of 2027. 

Packaging and Logistics Infrastructure for Envlo’s MENA Rollout

Under the agreement, Acino will manage the full packaging and supply chain for Envlo across the region, ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements and cold chain logistics where needed.

 Acino’s established presence in Dubai serves as a strategic hub for distribution across the Gulf and North African markets, enabling efficient delivery to pharmacies and healthcare providers. 

The partnership leverages Acino’s proven expertise in commercialising cardiovascular and metabolic treatments in emerging markets, where diabetes prevalence is among the world’s highest.

Why the MENA Diabetes Packaging and Distribution Market Matters

According to the International Diabetes Federation, the MENA region has the world’s highest diabetes prevalence, with one in six adults living with the condition. 

IQVIA estimates that the combined diabetes treatment market in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Egypt reached 3.79 trillion won in 2025, with the total addressable market growing as additional countries are included. 

Daewoong selected the region based on its strong commercial potential and Acino’s established relationships with regional healthcare stakeholders. 

Park Seoung-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated that the agreement marks the first entry of a Korean-developed SGLT-2 inhibitor into the Middle East and Africa, and that through the partnership with Acino, the company aims to rapidly expand Envlo’s presence and develop it into a global blockbuster. 

The deal covers packaging formats and distribution strategies tailored to each market’s regulatory and consumer requirements, ensuring product integrity and brand consistency across the region.

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