KRW 10 Bil antiemetic drug Akynzeo seeks reimb for injection

After the capsule formulation

HK inno.N recently applied for HIRA review…It was approved in October 2022

Akynzeo Inj has applied for reimbursement.

HK inno.N is expanding the lineup of 'Akynzeo,' a medicine used to prevent vomiting in cancer patients.

 

In addition to the capsule formulation currently covered by health insurance, the company has applied for reimbursement to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) for Akynzeo inj.

 

According to industry sources on the 17th, Akynzeo inj, approved in October 2022, has applied for HIRA review.

 

Akynzeo was introduced to South Korea by HK inno.N from the Swiss pharmaceutical company Helsinn.

 

It is used for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

 

It is a combination of netupitant and palonosetron hydrochloride, with a mechanism of action inhibiting the nerve pathway associated with causing nausea and vomiting.

 

According to analysis, the two active ingredients have a long plasma half-life, which makes them effective antiemetics.

 

The capsule formulation was already available in South Korea.

 

Akynzeo cap was approved in 2018 and listed for reimbursement in December of the same year.

 

After the listing, the sales of the drug have skyrocketed.

 

According to IQVIA, its sales of KRW 1.8 billion in 2019 increased to KRW 4.5 billion in 2020, KRW 6.4 billion in 2021, KRW 7.3 billion in 2022, and recorded KRW 9.8 billion last year (KRW 2 billion shy of KRW 10 billion).

 

Akynzeo cap usage was expanded after the approval of reimbursement expansion in June 2022.

 

Before the expansion, it could be used as a combination therapy with corticosteroids in patients who fell into the high-risk group (over 90%).

 

After the reimbursement expansion, it can now be administered to severe patient groups (30~90%) without combination with corticosteroids.

 

Akynzeo Inj, which has applied for reimbursement, is an IV injection.

 

It is expected to benefit cancer patients who have difficulty ingesting oral medicines.

 

Akynzeo Inj will undergo HIRA review for reimbursement appropriateness and seek health insurance listing.