Pfizer's ADC Drug Besponsa (Inotuzumab Ozogamicin) Launches in China, Offering New Hope for Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Product InformationOn June 19, Pfizer held the launch event for its innovative acute leukemia drug, Besponsa (Inotuzumab Ozogamicin for Injection). This drug, which is an ADC targeting CD22 and has been approved by the FDA, will bring good news to acute leukemia patients in China. It is reported that Besponsa was included in the priority review for being an "innovative drug with significant therapeutic advantages" and was officially approved in China on December 22, 2021, for adult patients with relapsed or refractory precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). Currently, the first prescriptions for Besponsa have been issued across China, providing Chinese acute leukemia patients with a new treatment option.
 

Leukemia is a common hematological and lymphatic system tumor, with more than 80,000 new cases of leukemia reported in China in 2020. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant tumor originating from the abnormal proliferation of B- or T-lymphocytes in the bone marrow, and it represents a very common type of leukemia. In acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are immature cells (blasts), which cannot function properly and multiply rapidly, leading to rapid disease progression.
 

Acute leukemia requires active and timely treatment, but there has been a long-term lack of effective clinical treatment options. Currently, the treatment for ALL patients in China is mainly based on chemotherapy, with about half of adult patients facing relapse, and the five-year overall survival rate of patients being less than 10%.
 

As one of the hotspot drugs in current tumor immunotherapy, ADC drugs have specific tumor specificity and potency, which can extend the time window for tumor treatment and minimize chemotherapy-related adverse reactions, thereby improving the CR rate in the treatment of R/R B-ALL.
 

According to reports, as one of the representative drugs of ADC, Besponsa can precisely deliver toxic molecules, induce apoptosis of tumor cells, and is expected to usher in a new era of treatment for R/R B-ALL, further promoting the development of targeted precision therapy and bringing more survival hope to patients. Previously, in October 2015, Besponsa was granted "Breakthrough Therapy" designation by the U.S. FDA for ALL treatment, and in 2017 it was approved in the EU and the United States for the treatment of R/R B-ALL.
 

It is worth mentioning that due to the high research and development costs, innovative drugs are also relatively expensive, which may deter many patients. In recent years, the changes in China's pharmaceutical policies, reflected in the dynamic adjustment of the medical insurance catalog and the normalization of centralized drug procurement, have led pharmaceutical companies, especially innovative drug enterprises, to rethink how to change their market strategies to improve drug accessibility. Against the backdrop of an aging population in China and a yearly increase in the incidence of AML, if Mylotarg could be included in the medical insurance, it would save more lives of AML patients. Therefore, the industry also looks forward to this innovative drug being included in the medical insurance catalog as soon as possible to improve the quality of life for more AML patients.
 

For more than 30 years, Pfizer has adhered to the concept of "Science Will Win, Together Against Cancer," and has been committed to meeting the unmet treatment needs of cancer patients. It provides patients with comprehensive treatment solutions, promotes the accessibility of innovative drugs, and improves the quality of life for patients. In the field of hematological tumors, Pfizer has deep industry experience. While continuously improving its product portfolio, it promotes the development of hematological tumor diagnosis and treatment in China and helps achieve the goals of "Healthy China 2030."
 

In addition to Besponsa, Pfizer plans to continue to deeply cultivate in the field of hematological oncology treatment, constantly explore new drugs and new methods, and bring new hope to more patients.