[THE INVESTOR] Sales of liver drug Godex manufactured by Celltrion have topped the local market, far outpacing sales for its rival Ursa by Daewoong Pharma, industry data showed on Aug. 30.

Godex, widely used in patients with chronic liver disease who show elevated liver enzymes, raked in 26.2 billion won (US$23.30) in sales during the first half of this year, compared with 18.7 billion won by Ursa, they showed.

Celltrion attributed the increase of sales as Godex is now subscribed not only by an internal medicine department but by doctors practicing family medicine.

Annual sales of Godex outpaced Ursa for the first time last year with the gap forecast to be further widened down the road, market watchers said.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)