Foreign-funded enterprises heavily attack the Chinese immunosuppressant market

Business Club September 21st Since the official release of the “Organ Transplantation Regulations” on May 1, 2007, many multinational drug companies have spared no effort in fostering the organ transplant market in addition to investing heavily in promoting the standardization of organ transplantation in China. . Roche, Novartis and Astellas 3 multinational drug companies have all cooperated with related departments of the Ministry of Health to promote the establishment of an organ transplant registration system.

According to the reporter's understanding, the reason why a number of multinational pharmaceutical companies fell into the dilemma of sales performance, they still did not hesitate to invest heavily in organ transplantation. The fundamental reason is that there is a huge market space in the area of ​​organ transplantation. In the past decade or so, organ transplantation in China has developed rapidly and has taken the lead in Asia.

As a high-end product in the medical field, the growth rate of the immunosuppressant market has not exceeded the industry average. In 2009, the growth rate of the immunosuppressant market has approached and reached the industry average.

Immunosuppressive agents accelerate growth

According to the reporter, immunosuppressive drugs are drugs that have an inhibitory effect on the body's immune response. They can inhibit the proliferation and function of cells involved in immune reactions (such as T cells and B cells) and reduce the immune response of antibodies. It is now widely used in the treatment of organ transplantation for anti-rejection and autoimmune diseases.

At present, there are four major categories of immunosuppressants that are currently used clinically. One is the chemical synthesis of antimetabolites and alkylating agents; the second is epinephrine corticosteroids; the third is biological immunosuppressive agents; and the fourth is antibiotics.

Organ transplants, as the last effective means of organ failure treatment, are in great demand in China because this is an important aspect of many unmet medical needs.

In addition, industry sources pointed out that as a "special drug" immunosuppressant, profit is also more abundant than general drugs, and there are fewer market entrants. Organ transplantation patients need to take immunosuppressive drugs for life after transplantation. The cost of drugs for organ transplant patients in the first year after discharge is as high as 200,000 yuan, and then decreases year by year, but the minimum year is also maintained at about 50,000 yuan. It can be seen that the immunosuppressant market is a market with a continuous increase in total volume. Compared with cardiovascular drugs and other markets, the competitive environment is much better.

According to IMS data, the market size of immunosuppressants in 2009 was 2.3 billion yuan, and the compound annual growth rate in the four years from 2006 to 2009 was 15%, of which 8.3% in 2007, 14.56% in 2008, and 22% in 2009. Growth is accelerating.

Foreign brands dominate

According to report, immunosuppressants are mainly divided into the following categories: mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), tacrolimus (FK506), cyclosporine (CSA), antithymocyte immunoglobulin, thalidomide, Sirolimus, mizoribine, azathioprine (Aza), Tripterygium glycosides, etc. At present, due to the toxicity of immunosuppressive agents and the high number of adverse reactions, the combination of drugs is commonly used in clinical practice. According to data provided by IMS, in 2009, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine accounted for 87% of the Chinese market.

In the latest 2009 edition of the National Health Insurance Directory, a new member was added to the immunological class: mycophenolate sodium, the only product under the name of this class of molecules. Prior to this, Mi Fu had obtained approval for listing in 91 countries including Switzerland and the United States, and officially listed in China in 2009. Mi Fu's entry into the new National Health Insurance Catalogue is not only a therapeutic factor, but also the result of many years of Novartis' painstaking efforts in this field.

According to industry insiders, three companies, Roche, Astellas and Novartis, occupy China's major immunosuppressant market, and these three companies are also actively promoting organ transplants in China.

According to statistics, Roche's pharmaceutical production of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, trade name 骁知), sales in 2009 was 700 million yuan, Astellas's Pule can be recovered in 2009 sales only Yu Xie learned that sales reached 600 million yuan. Novartis's new mountain range in 2009 sales of 250 million yuan.

Because of the high barriers to entry in the field of immunosuppressants, foreign capitalists dominate the market. Due to the high price of immunosuppressive drugs, in addition to their efficacy, the ability to access medical insurance catalogs has clearly become a key factor affecting product sales. The listing of Mi Fu is Novartis. Further steps to improve the product line in this area. At present, Novartis has Nissandi, Shulai, and Meefu in the field of immunosuppressants. It can be seen that Novartis, which lags behind Astellas and Roche in 2009, is catching up.

As we all know, the development of new immunosuppressive agents has greatly promoted the success rate of organ transplant operations. The total number of human organ transplants in China ranks second in the world, and the level of organ transplant surgery is also in a leading position, which means that the demand for such drugs will be getting bigger.

At present, there are two imitation immunosuppressants in Sino-US East China Pharmaceuticals: Saikeping and Xinsaiping. The sales of these two products do not exceed 200 million yuan. This shows that foreign-funded enterprises still dominate.

After seeing considerable profits in this area, some domestic powerful companies are also eager to try: North China Pharmaceuticals (Mycophenolate + Tianke + Yixin) and Hisun (Fumeixin + Suoneng) have also launched their own products. . With the standardization of organ transplantation in China, more and more companies will participate in the competition in the immunosuppressant market.