Zeposia® (Ozanimod Hydrochloride Capsules) Included in China's National Reimbursement Drug List to Enhance Access for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Upgraded Accessibility Helps More Chinese Patients Benefit Doubly in "Physical + Cognitive" Aspects

ShanghaiDecember 13, 2023PR Newswire -- The latest announcement from the National Healthcare Security Administration shows that Bristol-Myers Squibb's new selective sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator Riprexia^®The generic name "Ozanimod Hydrochloride Capsules" has been officially included in the "National Basic Medical Insurance, Work-related Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalog (2023)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Medical Insurance Catalog"). The new version of the Medical Insurance Catalog will be implemented starting from January 1, 2024. Reimbursement procedures and timelines in various regions will be subject to local government announcements.

ReblozylIn January 2023, it was approved by the National Medical Products Administration for use inTreatment of adult relapsing multiple sclerosis, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapse-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis and Active Secondary Progressive Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease characterized primarily by inflammatory demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system.^[1], which was included in China's "First List of Rare Diseases" in 2018. Normally, nerve fibers are covered by a protective layer called myelin that maintains normal nerve conduction function, similar to the insulating coating around electrical wires. However, in patients with multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks these protective myelin sheaths, causing them to deteriorate and making it difficult for electrical signals to transmit between nerve cells.^[2],[3], including a variety of clinical manifestations such as movement disorders and sensory abnormalities. In addition to visible physical symptoms, multiple sclerosis can also lead to accelerated brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that 40%-70% of patients with multiple sclerosis experience cognitive dysfunction.^[4], and the decline in cognitive level can occur in the early stages of the disease, even before motor symptoms appear.^[5]Cognitive dysfunction can greatly affect the quality of life and employment of patients with multiple sclerosis.^[6], which also has a significant correlation with long-term disability progression.^[7]。

"Multiple sclerosis predominantly affects young and middle-aged adults. These patients, who should be the backbone of their families and society, may find even simple household chores and calculations challenging due to physical and cognitive impairments caused by the disease. This is an 'unbearable pain' for the individual, their family, and society."Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology, Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, Standing Committee Member of the Neurology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Chairman of the Neurology Professional Committee of the PLAProfessor Qi Xiaokun"Previous studies have confirmed the benefits of Ozanimod in protecting physical and cognitive functions in multiple sclerosis, which is encouraging. After the drug is covered by medical insurance, with the reduction of individual medication costs, it is expected that more patients will benefit from it and return to normal work and life."

As a high-selectivity S1P with a completely new molecular structure₁And S1P₅Receptor Modulator,RebrozylCan moderately inhibit lymphocyte migration and directly act on the central system for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Two large positive drug-controlled Phase III studies have confirmed.^[8],[9], compared with interferon β-1a,ReblozylWhile significantly reducing disease recurrence and MRI lesion counts, it can also effectively decrease brain volume loss in patients, improve cognitive function, and achieve "physical + cognitive" dual protection. This is also the world's first multiple sclerosis disease-modifying treatment (DMT) drug to comprehensively evaluate brain volume loss in a large Phase III clinical trial.RebroziumInclusion in medical insurance will effectively enhance the accessibility of this innovative therapy, helping more Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis achieve the higher treatment goal of "reducing relapses, reducing new lesions, delaying disability progression, and slowing brain atrophy," namely, No Evidence of Disease Activity-4 (NEDA-4).

"Reblozyl"The fact that it entered the medical insurance system in the same year it was approved is driven by two major factors: one is the country's emphasis on the group of patients with rare diseases, and the other is Bristol-Myers Squibb's determination. But their core is the same, which is 'patient-centered'."Bristol-Myers Squibb Vice President, General Manager of China and Asian Regional Markets, and President of China Operations, Chen Siyuan"After entering the national medical insurance, we will push forward as soon as possible."Rebrozium"Our next focus is to implement this work across various regions in China. We will closely collaborate with multiple parties, including the government, payers, clinical experts, and industry partners, to help more patients afford and access this innovative therapy, enabling them to benefit as soon as possible from the 'physical + cognitive' dual protection, fulfilling Bristol-Myers Squibb's long-term commitment of the 'China 2030 Strategy'."

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