Pfizer's JAK1 Inhibitor Abrocitinib (CIBINQO) Launches in China with a Retail Price of RMB 3,150 per Box

Text by Dine

According to PharmaCircle data monitoring, Pfizer's oral JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib (Chinese trade name: Cibinqo) has recently gone on sale in China. The specification is 100mg*14 tablets, with a retail price of 3150 yuan per box.

Abrocitinib Tablets are an oral JAK1 inhibitor taken once daily. JAK is an intracellular enzyme that mediates signal transduction generated by the interaction of cytokine or growth factor receptors on the cell membrane, thereby affecting hematopoietic and immune cell functions. Abrocitinib reversibly and selectively inhibits JAK1 by blocking the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site.

On April 11, the official website of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that Pfizer's oral JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib tablets have been approved for marketing in China. It is indicated for adult patients with refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis who have had an inadequate response or are unsuitable for other systemic treatments (such as hormones or biologics). This marks the second JAK inhibitor developed by Pfizer to gain approval in China.

In addition, the approval status of Abrocitinib in the US and the UK is as follows:

In September 2021, Abrocitinib was approved for the first time in the UK for the treatment of adult and adolescent patients aged 12 years and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

On January 14, 2022, Abrocitinib was approved for marketing in the United States with recommended doses of 100mg and 200mg. It had received FDA Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review designations.

Currently, there are a total of 9 original JAK inhibitor drugs approved for marketing worldwide. Among them, 5 are first-generation JAK inhibitors, namely Sanofi/Incyte's Ruxolitinib, Eli Lilly's Baricitinib, Pfizer's Tofacitinib, Astellas' Peficitinib, and Japan Tobacco's Deregocitinib; the remaining 4 are second-generation JAK inhibitors, namely Celgene's Fedratinib, AbbVie's Upadacitinib, Gilead's Filgotinib, and Pfizer's Abrocitinib.

Among them, according to statistics from Sina Medicine, up to now, five JAK inhibitors have been approved in China: Novartis' Ruxolitinib, Eli Lilly's Baricitinib, Pfizer's Tofacitinib, AbbVie's Upadacitinib, and Pfizer's Abrocitinib. The indications mainly cover rheumatoid arthritis, myelofibrosis, atopic dermatitis, etc.

In the future, the JAK1 inhibitor market in China will continue to grow rapidly. According to Frost & Sullivan's forecast, the market size will reach 10 billion and 48.1 billion RMB in 2024 and 2030 respectively, with a compound annual growth rate of 92.2% from 2019 to 2024.

Reference Source:

1. Sina Medicine. "JAK Inhibitors Make Accelerated Debut in China! Pfizer's Abrocitinib Approved; AbbVie's Upadacitinib Secures 3 Indications in Two Months"

2. PharmaCircle Database