Taiwan's Lotus Pharmaceuticals and Ireland's Amarin Corporation have entered into a long-term exclusive partnership to distribute and commercialise Vazkepa (icosapent ethyl) across 10 countries, including nine in Southeast Asia (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - ASEAN) and South Korea.

Vazkepa capsules have been approved and commercialised in a number of global markets, including the US and European markets, as the first prescription treatment comprised solely of the active ingredient, icosapent ethyl, a highly purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid.

The ASEAN region and South Korea includes a total of 14 million statin-treated patients representing a total hyperlipidemia market of approximately $2 billion.The largest markets within the ASEAN region include, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in South Korea. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Lotus will have exclusive rights to distribution and commercial promotion for Vazkepa in South Korea and nine countries in ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. As part of the agreement, Amarin will receive upfront payment as well as pricing and reimbursement and sales milestone payments based on net sales of the product. Amarin will be responsible for supplying finished product to Lotus at a pre-defined supply price.