AstraZeneca Korea’s Xigduo Supply Issues Raise Portfolio Concerns

AstraZeneca Korea’s diabetes treatment Xigduo (metformin/dapagliflozin) is facing scrutiny following supply disruptions and the termination of its co-promotion agreement, raising concerns it may follow a path similar to Farxiga (dapagliflozin).

According to industry sources on March 30, certain strengths of Xigduo sold out in mid-February, leading to supply shortages. The company has also ended its co-promotion partnership with HK inno.N.

The developments have fueled speculation over a potential downsizing of AstraZeneca’s diabetes portfolio, recalling the company’s withdrawal of Farxiga from the Korean market in 2024. At the time, AstraZeneca ended its distribution agreement with Daewoong Pharmaceutical after patent expiry and shifted focus toward higher-value innovative drugs.

Xigduo has likewise been impacted by generic competition, with prescription sales declining from $24.1 million in 2024 to $19.3 million last year. The recent supply issues and partnership termination further mirror the circumstances surrounding Farxiga’s exit.

A similar trend is unfolding in Japan, where generics for Farxiga were launched in December. Ono Pharmaceutical has announced it will terminate its co-promotion and distribution agreement with AstraZeneca effective March 31.

Globally, AstraZeneca is reducing its relative focus on diabetes while expanding investment in high-value areas such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and obesity treatments. In January, the company signed a $16 billion licensing deal with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group for an obesity therapy.

Oncology accounted for 44% of AstraZeneca’s total revenue last year, with the company positioning oncology, rare diseases, and obesity as key growth drivers toward its 2030 revenue target of $80 billion—highlighting a broader portfolio transformation.

An AstraZeneca Korea official said, “We are continuously monitoring supply levels and will make efforts to ensure stable availability.”