Takeda's Two Innovative Gastroenterology Medicines Included in China's 2020 National Reimbursement Drug List

Shanghai, December 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 28, 2020, Takeda China announced two innovative drugs in the field of gastroenterology under its portfolio, vonoprazan fumarate tablets (Takecab^®) and vedolizumab for injection (Entyvio^®) was successfully included in the National Reimbursement Drug List for Basic Medical Insurance, Work-Related Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance (2020 Edition) (hereinafter referred to as the 2020 National Medical Insurance Drug List).

Regarding the adjustments to the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), Shan Guohong, President of Takeda China, stated, “We are delighted that two of Takeda’s innovative drugs in the gastrointestinal field have successfully passed the NRDL negotiations. These two innovative medicines were included in the 2020 National Reimbursement Drug List shortly after their launch, which not only reflects the deepening reform of the national healthcare security system but also demonstrates the normalization and timeliness of medical insurance access, as well as the orientation toward supporting drugs with significant clinical needs and value. This betterDiSatisfactionleChinese Patients’ Demand for Newly Launched Drugs. Upholding the “patient-centric” philosophy, Takeda will actively support the implementation of the updated national reimbursement drug lists across various regions, thereby enabling more Chinese patients to benefit.”

The 2020 adjustment to the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) added new drugs covering the list of urgently needed overseas new drugs for clinical use, the catalog of encouraged generic drugs, and the list of pediatric drugs encouraged for research, development, and application. Meanwhile, the establishment of a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the NRDL has enabled drugs with significant clinical needs and value to enter the reimbursement list more rapidly, further improving treatment outcomes and patients’ quality of life. Notably, the extension of the deadline for inclusion in the NRDL price negotiations this year has further expanded the scope of drugs eligible for reimbursement. Benefiting from this policy, vedolizumab for injection (Entyvio^®) As one of the first batch of overseas drugs in urgent clinical need, it was also included in this adjustment, completing approval, market launch, and successful inclusion in the National Reimbursement Drug List within 2020.

The two drugs successfully negotiated by Takeda Pharmaceutical are respectively used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and reflux esophagitis (RE). As two major diseases in the digestive field, patients face urgent clinical treatment needs. The two products included by Takeda Pharmaceutical are: Vonoprazan Fumarate (trade name: Takecab^®), approved on December 18, 2019, primarily indicated for the treatment of reflux esophagitis, isFirstThe newly approved potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) in China; Vedolizumab for Injection (brand name: Entyvio)^®), included in the first batch of urgently needed overseas clinical drugs, approved on March 12, 2020, and is currently the approved treatment in the field of IBD.The World's OnlyGut-selective biologics.

Professor Chen Minhu from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Chairman of the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology under the Chinese Medical Association, pointed out that although acid-suppressing drugs have been continuously updated over the past few decades, there are still various unmet treatment needs. Today, we are very pleased to see the emergence of Vonoprazan, a drug with a completely new mechanism of action in the field of acid suppression therapy.^®Inclusion in the 2020 National Reimbursement Drug List will provide new options for current acid-suppression therapy, enabling patients to afford high-quality medications, improve their quality of life, and return to normal daily living.

Professor Wu Kaichun, Head of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group under the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Chinese Medical Association, and affiliated with Xijing Hospital of the Air Force Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, stated that, with strong support from relevant national authorities, Entyvio^®Included in the first batch of the List of Overseas New Drugs Urgently Needed for Clinical Use, it was approved, launched, and included in the National Reimbursement Drug List within one year. Its inclusion in the national reimbursement list will undoubtedly improve the situation of Chinese families affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), helping to alleviate their financial burden and facilitating better treatment outcomes.

In addition to the successful inclusion of two innovative drugs in the gastroenterology field into the 2020 National Reimbursement Drug List, Takeda’s other oral proteasome inhibitor, Ninlaro^®(Ixazomib Citrate Capsules) has been successfully renewed for inclusion in the 2020 National Reimbursement Drug List. Enlarui was approved for marketing in June 2018 and was included in the National Reimbursement Drug List in October of the same year. The product was honored as one of the “Top Ten Innovative Drugs” at the “Healthy China” awards in 2018.