Johnson & Johnson's Two Innovative Therapies Included in China's 2024 National Reimbursement Drug List, Enhancing Patient Access

Introduction:
Johnson & Johnson's innovative drugs included in the national medical insurance catalog this time consist of DARZALEX FASPRO (subcutaneous injection) and SUSTENNA PALIPERIDONE PALMITATE INJECTION (6M). Meanwhile, the existing products in the catalog, SUSTENNA PALIPERIDONE PALMITATE INJECTION (3M) and TREMFYA, have also been renewed. As more innovative drugs are included in the national medical insurance catalog, patients' accessibility and affordability of these innovative drugs will be further enhanced, marking another significant progress for Johnson & Johnson in fulfilling its commitment to benefit patients.

On November 28, 2024, the National Healthcare Security Administration of China announced the "National Reimbursement Drug List for Basic Medical Insurance, Work-related Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance (2024 Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as: National Reimbursement Drug List). Johnson & Johnson received good news for two of its innovative drugs: DARZALEX FASPRO (subcutaneous injection) and SUSTENNA paliperidone palmitate extended-release injectable suspension (6M), which were included in the National Reimbursement Drug List. Additionally, two products already in the list—INVEGA SUSTENNA paliperidone palmitate extended-release injectable suspension (3M) and TREMFYA guselkumab injection—successfully renewed their listings. The four innovative drugs from Johnson & Johnson that were added or renewed in the National Reimbursement Drug List cover disease areas such as oncology, rare diseases, immunology, and neuroscience, further improving patient access to and affordability of these innovative treatments.

President of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine China, Ms. Huang Chen, stated: "The inclusion of two innovative drugs from Johnson & Johnson in the National Medical Insurance Catalogue is another milestone for the company in continuously improving drug accessibility and reducing the medical burden on patients. We are especially grateful for the government's ongoing support for innovation, which allows drugs like Darzalex Faspro to benefit patients with multiple myeloma and primary light chain amyloidosis, helping to enhance treatment convenience and compliance, and improve quality of life. Additionally, the six-month dosing regimen of Invega Sustenna will also help more schizophrenia patients reduce the risk of relapse, ultimately achieving the goal of returning to their families and society."
To date, of the 36 innovative drugs that Johnson & Johnson has launched in China, 31 have been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), fully covering treatment areas with urgent medical needs such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiopulmonary diseases. Notably, the indication for兆珂速达雷妥尤单抗注射液 (subcutaneous injection), used to treat primary light chain amyloidosis, has been incorporated into the first batch of the National Rare Disease List. This not only fills a therapeutic gap in this disease area but also provides patients with accessible and affordable innovative treatment options.

Developing in China for nearly four decades, Johnson & Johnson has always adhered to the principles of science-based, mission-driven, and patient-first, leading the future of medicine with science and safeguarding life and health with innovation. In the future, Johnson & Johnson will continue to collaborate with the Chinese government, the industry, and all sectors of society to jointly create a Healthy China.
Products newly included in the national medical insurance catalog and their indications are as follows:

MEGA VELCADE Daratumumab Injection (Subcutaneous Injection)
Indications: Multiple Myeloma
(1) In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or in combination with bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation.
(2) In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.
(3) In combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy (including lenalidomide and proteasome inhibitors).
(4) Monotherapy for adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have previously received treatment including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents and experienced disease progression during their last treatment.
Indications: Primary Light Chain Amyloidosis
This product, in combination with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone, is suitable for newly diagnosed patients with primary light chain amyloidosis. This regimen is not suitable or recommended for patients with primary light chain amyloidosis who have NYHA Class IIIB or IV heart disease or Mayo Stage IIIB.
The above indication was granted conditional approval based on the result of complete hematological remission rate as a surrogate endpoint. The full approval of this indication will depend on the results of clinical endpoints related to survival benefits.
Shanjuda Paliperidone Palmitate Injection (6M)
Indications: For adult patients with schizophrenia who have received adequate treatment with paliperidone palmitate injection (3M) for at least 3 months.
The indications for the renewal of the original catalog products in the National Medical Insurance Catalog are as follows:
Sustenna Paliperidone Palmitate Injection (3M)
Indications: This product is an injectable solution administered once every 3 months, intended for schizophrenia patients who have received adequate treatment with Invega Sustenna (Paliperidone Palmitate Injection (1-month formulation)) for at least 4 months.
Tremfyaâ Guselkumab Injection
Indications: This product is suitable for adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.