Roche Korea, Roche Diagnostics Korea, and the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) announced on Monday that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to advance diabetes treatment development and management.
The agreement comes as the number of diabetes patients in Korea continues to rise, increasing the socioeconomic burden on the healthcare system. Through the partnership, Roche, a global healthcare company, and the Korean Diabetes Association, a leading academic society in diabetes, aim to establish an innovative ecosystem for diabetes treatment and management.
The MOU signing ceremony for diabetes treatment development and management (Courtesy of Roche Korea)
According to the KDA, the number of diabetes patients in Korea has already surpassed 6 million, while more than 15 million people fall within the scope of diabetes management when including those with prediabetes. The total national healthcare expenditure related to diabetes rose from approximately 1.07 trillion won ($711 million) in 2022 to 1.22 trillion won in 2024, representing an increase of more than 14 percent in just two years. As a result, the need for early diagnosis and personalized diabetes management systems has become increasingly urgent.
Under the agreement, the three organizations plan to cooperate closely in several key areas, including:
• Global clinical research and development collaboration for innovative diabetes therapeutics
• Exchange and clinical application of the latest academic information in diabetes treatment
• Dissemination and clinical utilization of diabetes-related diagnostic information
• Creation of a patient-centered policy environment for diabetes diagnosis, management, and treatment
• Education and knowledge sharing to improve early diagnosis and disease management
• Generation of clinical evidence to enhance diabetes diagnosis, management, and treatment
Ezat Azem, CEO of Roche Korea, said, “Diabetes is a national healthcare challenge affecting 15 million people in Korea, including those with prediabetes. We believe this collaboration with the academic society is highly meaningful as we work together to identify better, comprehensive management solutions across the full continuum of care.”
He added, “Through this agreement, we will further strengthen global clinical collaboration for the development of innovative diabetes therapies and do our utmost to help Korean diabetes patients lead healthier lives.”
Kim Sung-rae, chairman of the Korean Diabetes Association, said, “Diabetes is a disease with dramatically different prognoses depending on whether it is properly managed. Without adequate care, complications such as blindness and cardiovascular disease may occur, whereas systematic management can lead to outcomes approaching remission.”
He continued, “Precise diagnosis and innovative treatment options tailored to each patient’s disease severity and comorbidities are essential. We hope this partnership will elevate the standard of diabetes treatment in Korea and serve as an opportunity to move closer to an advanced, patient-centered environment for diagnosis, management, and treatment.”
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a global healthcare company dedicated to preventing, stopping, and treating diseases through the integration of diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and digital solutions. The company operates in more than 150 countries and focuses on areas including oncology, neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, ophthalmology, infectious diseases, and immunology.
Lee Han-soo
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