Pfizer Launches CIBINQO® (Abrocitinib) in China with Multi-City Rollout for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

BeijingMay 9, 2022PR Newswire -- On May 8, 2022, a ten-city联动including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou launched Pfizer's high-selectivity JAK1 inhibitor Cibinqo for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.^®(Common name: Abrocitinib Tablets, English name: CIBINQO)^®) The pace of market entry.

Cibinqo(R) China Launch Event Multi-City联动 Site (Guangzhou Station)

Peng Zhenke, President of Pfizer Biopharmaceuticals Group, China, said: "Cibinqo^®Is Pfizer's global inflammation and immunology fieldInnovationProduct, and also a key part of China's strategic layout in the field of dermatology diagnosis and treatment. Cibinqo^®The launch in China is almost synchronized with the global release. This is the second innovative product launched by Pfizer in the AD field following the 2020 launch of PDE-4 inhibitor Crisaborole Ointment in China. Pfizer's comprehensive dermatology portfolio can fully cover mild, moderate, and severe atopic dermatitis, meeting patients' urgent needs for full-course management treatment. With patient needs at its core, Pfizer continuously accelerates the research and development, introduction, and accessibility of innovative products, bringing high-quality innovative products and treatment options to Chinese patients. Committed to becoming an essential part of China’s healthcare system, Pfizer will continue to work closely with the Chinese government, industry, and all sectors of society to jointly create a Healthy China 2030.

Cibinqo® China Launch Ceremony (Guangzhou Station)

At the listing meeting, renowned experts in the field of dermatology in China, including Professor Zhang Jianzhong, Director of the Dermatology Department at Peking University People's Hospital, Professor Hao Fei, Director of the Dermatology Department at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Professor Ma Lin, Director of the Dermatology Department at Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, and Professor Wang Hua, Director of the Dermatology Department at Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital, gathered both online and offline to witness this milestone moment in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in China. The experts discussed the current state and development of atopic dermatitis treatment, as well as Cibinqo.^®In-depth exchanges and discussions were held on new advancements in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis after the product's market launch. For the first time at this market launch event, the innovative treatment goal of "treat-to-target" for atopic dermatitis in China was proposed, ushering in a new era of treat-to-target therapy for Atopic Dermatitis (AD). Treat-to-target is a treatment approach that focuses on the individualized needs of patients, setting therapeutic goals and dynamically adjusting them based on treatment outcomes. Experts expressed their opinions and unanimously agreed to continuously optimize "treat-to-target" by promoting clinical and academic progress, meeting the evolving clinical needs of AD patients.

Professor Zhang Jianzhong, Director of the Department of Dermatology at Peking University People's Hospital, stated: "Atopic dermatitis is characterized by intense itching, skin inflammation, and skin barrier defects, and can also be accompanied by chronic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and insomnia symptoms. Especially for patients with moderate to severe AD, it is necessary to control the condition as soon as possible to avoid repeated flare-ups and delays. Cibinqo^®It is a new drug for AD treatment, administered orally, which helps improve patient medication adherence under the normalized pandemic situation. The launch of this drug fills an unmet need for moderate to severe AD. We look forward to Cibinqo.^®"Bring new benefits to patients."

Professor Fei Hao, Director of the Dermatology Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, stated: "The severe itching caused by atopic dermatitis is the primary factor affecting patients' quality of life, causing significant disruption to their daily work and life. If the itching cannot be effectively controlled, it not only leads to repeated and worsening conditions but also can cause insomnia, as well as psychological issues such as anxiety and depression." Cibinqo^®As a highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, it becomes a new treatment option for patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

JAK1 Inhibitors Bring Breakthrough Changes in Personalized Treatment for AD

Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic skin disease characterized by intense itching, skin inflammation, and skin barrier defects.

A study involving more than 1,600 patients shows that patients have multiple needs for personalized treatment of AD, with the top priority being the rapid relief of symptoms such as itching.^[1]For the treatment of moderate to severe AD, the average onset time of existing treatment regimens (including systemic glucocorticoids and biologics) is 1-12 weeks. By broadly blocking multiple AD inflammatory factor signaling pathways and inhibiting various pruritogen signaling pathways mediated by JAK1 on sensory neurons, the highly selective JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib can rapidly alleviate both acute and chronic pruritus in AD, with multi-target potent inhibition of various AD-related cytokines. Multiple studies have shown that the highly selective JAK1 inhibitor demonstrates significantly statistical improvement over placebo and biologics in terms of skin lesion clearance and pruritus relief.^[2][3][4][5], providing AD patients with more comprehensive benefits.

Professor Hua Wang, Director of the Dermatology Department at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, stated: "In recent years, although there have been many advances in the clinical treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), the lack of patient awareness about the disease often leads to repeated and delayed flare-ups, as well as non-standardized treatment, which increases the burden of the disease. For moderate to severe AD patients who urgently need rapid relief from itching, Cibinqo..."^®The launch is expected to help more patients with moderate to severe AD摆脱疾病困扰,早日回归正常工作和生活.

Professor Ma Lin, Director of the Dermatology Department at Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, stated: "Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, and pruritic skin disease, and it is the leading skin condition in children. If not treated properly, it can affect a child’s growth and development as well as the quality of life for the entire family. AD is the first window in the allergic march, and managing atopic dermatitis well is crucial to reducing the occurrence or severity of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and conjunctivitis in the future. The reasonable and standardized application of step therapy, systemic treatment, and sequential therapy can help reduce the recurrence of atopic dermatitis and improve patients' quality of life."

Pfizer is the world's first pharmaceutical company to develop the JAK (Janus kinase) pathway for inflammatory and immune diseases. From identifying JAK as a potential drug target in 1993 to launching a Phase 1 study on the use of a JAK1 inhibitor for treating AD in 2018, Pfizer has been deeply committed to the research and development of JAK inhibitors for nearly 30 years. In April 2021, Cibinqo...^®It has been granted priority review and approval qualification by the China Food and Drug Administration, and was officially approved a year later, achieving global synchronized research and registration. In the future, Pfizer will continue to focus on dermatology, further exploring the broader clinical application value of JAK inhibitors in immune-related skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and alopecia areata.

^[1] Augustin M, et al. Characterizing treatment-related patient needs in atopic eczema: insights for personalized goal orientation. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Jan;34(1):142-152

^[2] Simpson E, et al. Lancet. 2020;396(10246):255-266.

^[3] Simpson E, et al. Lancet. 2020;396(10246):255-266.Suppl.

^[4] Silverberg JI, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(8):863-873.

^[5] Simpson EL, et al. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021;22(5):693-707.