Tremfya® (Guselkumab) Launches in China, Marking a New Era of Precision Targeted Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Product InformationOn June 9, Johnson & Johnson announced the launch of TREMFYA® (guselkumab injection (intravenous infusion)) in China for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response, lost response, or were intolerant to conventional therapy or biologics. This news has brought new hope for treatment to many patients in China.
 

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Both Belong to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
 

In recent years, with the changes in lifestyle and the influence of environmental factors, the incidence of IBD in China has shown a significant upward trend. According to the data from the *White Paper on the Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in China*, the incidence of Crohn's disease in China has increased from 1.1 per 100,000 people in 2005 to 2.2 per 100,000 people in 2014, while the incidence of ulcerative colitis rose from 3.2 per 100,000 people to 11.6 per 100,000 people. The large patient population imposes a heavy burden on both families and society. Against this backdrop, the launch of Tremfya® is of great significance.
 

According to reports, it is the first interleukin-23 inhibitor with a dual mechanism of action, capable of precisely targeting key links in the inflammatory pathogenesis. On one hand, it can directly bind to interleukin-23; on the other hand, it is able to locate CD64+ inflammatory cells, which are the primary producers of interleukin-23, neutralizing interleukin-23 at its cellular source and effectively blocking inflammatory signaling pathways, thereby providing patients with sustained and deep relief.
 

Previously, in China, patients with moderate to severe active Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis who did not respond well to conventional treatments or biologics had relatively limited treatment options. The overall control of these diseases remained challenging, and there was an urgent need for new medications to further improve patients' quality of life. The arrival of Tremfya® has addressed this gap, providing clinicians with a more powerful treatment tool, which is expected to significantly enhance disease management and the quality of life for patients.
 

From the perspective of the treatment market in China, with the rising incidence of IBD, China's IBD treatment market has maintained a high growth rate in recent years. It is expected that in the coming years, with increased patient awareness of the disease, advancements in diagnostic technology, and the approval and launch of more innovative drugs, the market size will continue to expand.
 

In terms of layout, in addition to Johnson & Johnson, many pharmaceutical companies in China have also turned their attention to the IBD treatment field. For example, Hengrui Medicine and Junshi Biosciences have actively started R&D work in this area. Among them, Shandong Shengdi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hengrui Medicine, received the "Drug Clinical Trial Approval Notice" issued by the National Medical Products Administration in November 2024, approving the clinical trial of HRS-7085 tablets for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Currently, no similar products have been approved for marketing domestically or internationally. Junshi Biosciences is also developing an IBD treatment pipeline through independent research and external cooperation, hoping to make breakthroughs in this field. With the active participation of many domestic pharmaceutical companies, the development of China’s IBD treatment market will be driven, and a diversified competitive landscape is expected to form in the future, providing patients with more high-quality and affordable treatment options.
 

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