New strength Uptravi may be prescribed at general hospitals

Treatment for  pulmonary arterial hypertension

Agenda passes drug committees of Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, etc.

Offers improved adherence over 200㎛+400㎛

A new dosage strength of the pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment Uptravi may now be prescribed at general hospitals in Korea.

 

According to industry sources, the 600㎛ dose of Janssen Korea’s Uptravi (selexipag) passed d the drug committees (DCs) of tertiary hospitals such as the Seoul National University Hospital, Sinchon Severance Hospital, and other medical institutions including the Pusan National University Hospital, and Hanyang University Hospital.

 

Originally, Uptravi was approved in 3 doses  - 200, 400, and 800 μm - but doctors prescribing 600 μm, had prescribed the 200μ and 400 μm doses together.

 

Therefore, the addition of the 600 μm dose has been positively received for improving compliance.

 

Uptravi is the first non-prostanoid prostacyclin selective IP receptor agonist for pulmonary arterial hypertension in Korea.

 

It has high selectivity to the IP receptors involved in vasodilatory function.

 

In particular, it is the only pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment in Korea that was approved for reimbursement even as a sequential three-drug combination therapy.

 

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension who were previously using endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors but did not see adequate treatment effect are allowed reimbursed use of Uptravi.

 

It also owns competitivity in that it is an oral, twice-daily treatment that can be taken orally and allows for individualized maintenance dosing in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

 

Uptravi is also the first oral prostacyclin class pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment to demonstrate a reduction in mortality and morbidity in a clinical trial (GRIPHON).

 

In a total of 1,156 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, the relative risk of death or morbidity was reduced by 40% in the Uptravi combination arm compared to placebo In addition, the Uptravi combination therapy was associated with a reduced risk of death and morbidity in patients previously taking endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

 

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare condition characterized by increased resistance in the blood vessels in the lungs, which can be fatal in severe cases.

 

A 2003 study reported a median survival period of 2-3 years after diagnosis.

 

Symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension include shortness of breath, fainting, chest pain, and edema, and the condition may significantly reduce exercise capacity.