Strategic Cooperation Memorandum for Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Signed at the 5th CIIE

Multi-party Collaboration to Enhance Standardized Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Lupus

ShanghaiNovember 6, 2022PR Newswire -- On November 6, 2022, the "Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" project, hosted by the China Medical and Health Development Foundation, with academic support from the National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, and co-initiated by GSK China, signed a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation during the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE). The project aims to enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and management of lupus by establishing and implementing unified standards, thereby achieving earlier and better disease management and improving patients' overall quality of life.

"Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" Project Strategic Cooperation Memorandum Successfully Signed

The project plans to publish the "Guiding Principles for the Construction, Management, and Quality Control of Lupus Centers in China" in 2023, and establish 10 lupus demonstration centers and 50 lupus certification centers nationwide. At the same time, through inter-hospital visits, exchange meetings, and lupus center certifications, it will continuously expand and deepen its reach, forming a coverage network that extends from individual points to broader areas, thereby enhancing the overall diagnosis and treatment level of lupus in China.

"With the advancement of technology, the development of novel drugs, including biologics, has made remarkable progress, bringing revolutionary changes to the treatment of lupus. However, the medical standards of healthcare institutions at all levels vary significantly. Rheumatology and immunology departments are lacking in many regions, and numerous grassroots hospitals do not have relevant departments, which is unfavorable for early screening and diagnosis of the disease, making it difficult for patients to receive effective management and treatment," stated Professor Zeng Xiaofeng, Director of the National Clinical Research Center for Dermatological and Immunological Diseases and Chief of the Rheumatology and Immunology Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. "At the same time, grassroots doctors have a vague understanding of the treat-to-target concept proposed in the '2020 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,' and patient prognosis management is weak, with low disease remission rates and high recurrence rates, posing certain challenges to long-term standardized treatment and treat-to-target practices. It is crucial to establish a nationwide, systematic, and standardized lupus diagnosis and treatment system."

Professor Zeng Xiaofeng, Director of the National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, connected online and delivered a speech.

Ms. Wang Dan, Chairwoman of the China Healthcare Development Foundation, stated: "Over the past seventeen years since its establishment, the Foundation has consistently focused on the 'Healthy China' national strategy, carrying out public welfare activities with distinctive characteristics. These projects have benefited 31 provinces (municipalities) across China, reaching a cumulative total of 300 million people. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment Project will help improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of lupus in China by establishing and implementing unified standards. It will also train and expand the pool of specialized talents while promoting patient management and patient education for those with lupus. The signing of this Strategic Cooperation Memorandum is an important implementation of national strategic plans. With the joint efforts of multiple parties, we believe that this project will help more lupus patients receive better and earlier treatment, enabling them to enjoy long-term, high-quality lives."

Speech by Ms. Wang Dan, Chairwoman of the China Medical and Health Development Foundation

Qi Xin, Vice President and General Manager of GSK China, stated: "Since belimumab was approved in the U.S. in 2011 as the world's first biologic for the treatment of SLE in nearly 60 years, GSK has been deeply committed to the lupus field for over a decade, striving to enable more patients to benefit earlier from innovative treatments and achieve long-term, high-quality survival. In 2019, belimumab was approved for entry into the Chinese market, continuously benefiting from the 'spillover' effects of the CIIE, with new indications being successively approved in the following years. We are very pleased to collaborate with foundations, associations, experts, and other parties to participate in the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment Center Project in China, contributing to the improvement of diagnosis, treatment, and management levels of lupus diseases in the country."

Vice President and General Manager of GSK China, Qi Xin, Delivers a Speech

References

1.       J. Rheumatol 2005, 32(9): 1706-1708.

2.       Arthritis Rheum, 2009; 61(9): 1159-67.

3.       Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in China, 2020, Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, March 2020, Vol. 59, No. 3

4.       Yurkovich M, et al. Arthritis Care Res 2014;66:608–616;

5.       Mok CC, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2013;65:2154–2160.

6.       Wang Z, Wang Y, Zhu R, et al。Medicine, 2015, 94(17). e794