5th JAK inhibitor released…heats up competition

expect rapid expansion of market

Quarterly prescriptions of 4 types of JAK inhibitors exceed KRW 10 billion... 24% increase in 1 year

Olumiant, Xeljanz, and Rinvoq compete for the lead... Jyseleca, Cibinqo makes a bid into the market

(clockwise from the upper left) Jyseleca, Cibinqo, Rinvoq, Olumiant, Xeljan

The fifth product was released in the market for JAK inhibitors, an oral autoimmune disease treatment drug.

 

The JAK inhibitor market, which has continued rapid growth recently, is expected to grow more rapidly due to the addition of the new product.

 

Competition among products is also expected to intensify.

 

While Olumiant (baricitinib), Xeljanz (tofacitinib), and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) are competing for the lead, the new entrants, Cibinqo (abrocitinib) and Jyseleca (filgotinib), are also heralding their pursuit.

 

Quarterly prescriptions exceed KRW 10 billion… Olumiant, Xeljanz, Rinvoq in a fierce battle for the lead Industry sources revealed that Eisai Korea released Jyseleca on the 1st.

 

With the addition of Jyseleca, a total of 5 JAK inhibitors are currently available in the Korean market.

 

Following the release of Pfizer Xeljanz in 2015, Lilly’s Olumiant was released in 2019, and AbbVie’s Rinvoq in 2021.

 

In July this year, Pfizer's second JAK inhibitor, Cibinqo, was launched, and then Eisai’s Jyseleca.

 

JAK inhibitors are used for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atopic dermatitis.

 

Its mechanism of action blocks inflammation, pain, and cell activation by suppressing inflammatory cytokines.

 

The domestic JAK inhibitor market has been expanding rapidly.

 

According to the pharmaceutical market research institution UBIST, outpatient prescriptions of domestic JAK inhibitors in Q3 this year reached KRW 10.7 billion, a 24% increase in a single year compared to the KRW 8.6 billion made in the same period last year.

 

In particular, quarterly prescriptions exceeded KRW 10 billion for the first time in Q3.

 

At this pace, the total outpatient prescriptions this year are expected to expand and exceed KRW 40 billion.

 

Quarterly outpatient prescription of JAK inhibitors (Unit: KRW 100 million, Data: UBIST)

The battle for the lead is also fierce.

 

While sales of Xeljanz, which has kept the lead for a long time, have slowed down somewhat, Olumiant has jumped to the lead since Q2 this year.

 

In Q3, Olumiant posted prescriptions worth KRW 3.7 billion.

 

This is a 28% increase from the KRW 2.9 billion in Q3 last year.

 

During the same period, Xeljanz’s prescriptions increased by 2% from KRW 3.6 billion to KRW 3.7 billion.

 

However, the difference between Olumiant and Xeljanz prescriptions is less than KRW 40 million in Q3, making it unclear which will rise to the top again.

 

On top of that, the third entrant Rinvoq, has also quickly increased its prescription performance and joined in the leading competition.

 

In the third quarter, Rinvoq posted prescriptions worth KRW 3.1 billion.

 

This is a 45% YoY increase from the KRW 2.1 billion posted in Q3 last year.

 

fifth drug ‘Jyseleca’ is released…JAK inhibitor market expected to continue to grow The addition of Cibinqo and Jyseleca to the market is expected to further intensify competition in the JAK inhibitor market.

 

Cibinqo was released with reimbursement in July to treat atopic dermatitis.

 

In the first 3 months of its launch, prescription sales amounted to approximately KRW 260 million.

 

Jyseleca was newly released on the 1st of this month.

 

It is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-competitive and reversible inhibitor that selectively inhibits JAK1.

 

Quarterly major JAK inhibitor prescriptions (Unit: KRW 100 million, Data: UBIST)

The JAK inhibitor market is expected to continue its high growth for some time due to the expansion of indications and the addition of new products.

 

After first receiving approval as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, Xeljanz additionally received indications for psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis.

 

Olumiant first received approval as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, then added indications for atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata.

 

Rinvoq was also first approved for rheumatoid arthritis and then added indications for psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, and ulcerative colitis.

 

Cibinqo indicates atopic dermatitis.

 

However, unlike other products, it can be used not only by adults but also by teenagers over the age of 12.

 

The fifth product, Jyseleca, has indications for rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.