Multiple Innovative Drugs Launched in China in 2023 with First Prescriptions Issued Nationwide

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Product InformationSince 2023, a large number of innovative drugs have been prescribed for the first time in China and officially put into clinical use. These innovative drugs include Axicabtagene Ciloleucel Injection for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma, Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer, Mobocertinib for EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutation-positive lung cancer, and the innovative single-tablet dual-drug HIV treatment regimen Dovato, offering new treatment options for relevant patients. The author has provided a brief overview of these developments.
 

On June 21, Yikaida® (generic name: Axicabtagene Ciloleucel Injection), the first CAR-T cell therapy drug in China developed by Fosun Kite, was officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration for second-line indications. It is used to treat adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who are ineffective with first-line immunochemotherapy or relapse within 12 months after first-line immunochemotherapy. Reportedly, Yikaida® has been prescribed for the first time in many hospitals across Hubei, Anhui, Guangdong, Henan, and other provinces and cities, bringing new hope to more patients who are ineffective with or relapsed after first-line immunochemotherapy.
 

In June, an innovative drug for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer—Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (Enhertu)—was launched in Hainan, with the first prescription issued in China, offering a new treatment option for patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.
 

On March 6, the first orally administered innovative drug approved in China for the targeted treatment of EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations (EGFR exon20 Insertion+) in non-small cell lung cancer, Mobocertinib Succinate Capsules (hereinafter referred to as "Mobocertinib"), was prescribed for the first time in Guangdong Province, marking the beginning of a new era of targeted therapy for lung cancer patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations in China.
 

On March 1, the first medical insurance prescription in China for the stable conversion indication of GSK's innovative single-pill, two-drug HIV treatment regimen Dovato (generic name: Lamivudine and Dolutegravir Tablets) was issued at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. This means that more HIV-infected individuals will have the opportunity to benefit from it, embracing a higher quality of life, and will further promote the development of China's overall AIDS prevention and treatment standards.
 

On February 17, the first prescription for the Chinese-produced COVID-19 oral drug Dihydrobromide Remdesivir (brand name: Mindvie, product code: VV116) was issued at Pudong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, indicating that this oral medication has officially entered clinical use in China. Reportedly, the initial price of the drug is 795 yuan/box/course, and in accordance with relevant national policies, it has been temporarily included in the payment scope of the basic medical insurance fund.
 

On January 28, the innovative drug Cosela (Trilaciclib Hydrochloride for Injection) was prescribed for the first time in China at the Jilin Province Cancer Hospital following its commercial launch. It is used prior to chemotherapy in patients with advanced small cell lung cancer to protect the normal function of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells from chemotherapy-induced damage. As an innovative preventive solution, the drug balances chemotherapy efficacy with bone marrow protection.
 

On January 14, the Administration of Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan announced in collaboration with Ruijin Hospital Hainan Branch (Hainan Boao Research Hospital), affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (hereinafter referred to as Ruijin Hainan Hospital), that the first prescription for ACARIZAX® Dust Mite Allergen Sublingual Tablets was issued in China on January 13, marking a new breakthrough in Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (AIT) treatment in China.
 

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China has a large population base and a significant number of patients. With the intensification of aging, continuous upgrading of consumption levels, sustained growth in healthcare expenditure, and the accelerated approval of innovative drugs for clinical use, the scale of China's pharmaceutical market shows a continuous growth trend. Data predicts that in the next five years, China’s pharmaceutical market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%, reaching 2,287.3 billion yuan by 2025.
 

Disclaimer: In any case, the information or opinions expressed in this article do not constitute investment advice to any person.