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- 2026-05-09 07:23:59
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- Generic for Xarelto is about to be released.
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 30, 2021 05:56am
- Bayer's new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)' generic is imminent to be released. In particular, Hanmi, which received generic exclusivity, plans to release Xarelto 2.5mg exclusively, and Hanmi has a patent dispute with Bayer, drawing keen attention to the future response of the two companies. According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 24th, the Xarelto material patent will expire on the 3rd of next month. Generic for Xarelto will be released after the 4th of next month. In the case of the rest of the patents, Generic companies have succeeded through a Supreme Court ruling late last year. 133 generics for Xarelto are expected to be listed as starting next month. A total of 66 generic companies are expected to release generics for Xarelto 10mg and 15mg products, respectively. Hanmi's Riroxban 2.5mg was the only one to succeed in registering benefit. Hanmi is expected to release Riroxban 2.5 mg at the same time along with Riroxban 10mg and Riroxban 15mg. ◆ Bayer and Hanmi have registered their patents for use after obtaining generic for exclusivity In the case of Riroxban 2.5mg products, patent disputes still remain. This is because Bayer belatedly registered a patent for use in Riroxban 2.5mg after acquiring Hanmi's generic exclusivity. Hanmi and SK Chemicals challenged patent for Xarelto 2.5mg in March 2015. In November of that year, the two companies won the first trial. Then, as the two companies applied for permission for the first time, in July 2016, the two companies succeeded in obtaining generic for exclusivity. However, in September 2019, Bayer Xarelto 2.5 mg newly registered a patent for use. The patent expires in June next year, more than two years after acquiring generic for exclusivity. Since the new registration of the patent for use, the indication of Xarelto 2.5mg has also changed. Initially, Xarelto monotherapy was approved for the purpose of "reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation."However, after the registration of the patent for use, the combination therapy with Aspirin changed to "reduction of the incidence of atherosclerotic events such as myocardial infarction and stroke." ◆Will legal disputes continue? Riroxban's sales impact will be minimal The pharmaceutical industry predicts that it will lead to legal disputes between Bayer and Hanmi. Some predict that even if the two companies have legal disputes, sales of Riroxban 2.5mg will not be significantly disrupted. An official from the pharmaceutical industry said, "There was no problem with the approval of Riroxban 2.5mg after patent avoidance." However, if it is actually sold, there is a possibility that Bayer will raise the issue in the future, he said. ◆After the 4th of next month, it is predicted that generics for Xarelto such as Riloxvan will be released
- Company
- ST Pharm’s new cash cow ‘oligonucleotide’
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 28, 2021 05:54am
- The oligonucleotide API business has become a major business of ST Pharm. The company has signed many deals over the past three years and the expansion and expectations for contract extensions have also greatly contributed to improving the company’s performance. Experts expect the oligonucleotide API business to stay as a cash cow for ST Pharm for a decade to come, with the global surge in demand for oligonucleotide API and the fact that most contracts signed by ST Pharm are long-term contracts. On the 27th, ST Pharm publicly announced that its oligonucleotide API supply contract with a biotech firm A in the U.S. has been expanded. In November 2019, ST Pharm had signed a contract with the company to supply 5 batches (150kg) of raw materials for clinical trials. The contract at the time was signed for ₩13.6 billion. Company A had requested to add 1 batch to its contract. With the request, the ST Pharm will be supplying a total of 6 batches (180kg) of its API to Company A. The contract amount also increased to ₩18.1 billion with the added ₩4.5 billion. With the addition, ST Pharm’s total contract for oligonucleotide has increased to ₩270 billion, which is more than twofold the sales made by the company last year. Since November 2017, the company had made a total of 14 deals to supply oligonucleotide API to companies, with most of the deals made in the past 3 years since 2019. ST Pharm had jumped into the oligonucleotide API business in 2018 after completing its Banwol plant in 2018. With its API business on track, the company’s performance has significantly improved. ST Pharm had recorded an operating loss for 9 consecutive quarters from Q2 2018 to 3Q 2020, then marked a turnaround in Q4 last year. The company e explained that its oligonucleotide API business was the cause of the turnaround. ST Pharm’s turnaround is drawing greater expectations as most of ST Pharm’s oligonucleotide API deals being long-term contracts. Industry experts foresee that its oligonucleotide business will contribute as a stable cash cow for 10 years at the most. The company has completed delivery of ₩80 billion’s worth of APIs from the ₩270 billion contracts. This means that the company still has around ₩190 billion left to be reflected in its performance from 2H this year to 2023. Also, expectations for additional sales being made from contract extensions exist. Most of the company’s contracts are for the supply of raw materials for clinical trials or initial commercialization. Therefore, if the drug succeeds in commercialization and enters full-scale production, this may lead to further requests for more supply of oligonucleotides.
- Company
- First progress to SGLT2i combo reimb. made in 3 years
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 27, 2021 05:52am
- Patients in Korea have come one step closer to receiving reimbursement extensions to SGLT-2 inhibitor combos. This is the first progress that has been made in three years. According to industry sources, the diabetes expert committee that was convened by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service earlier this month concluded in the direction of integrating and allowing reimbursement for DPP-4 inhibitor and SGLT-2 inhibitor class and triple therapy combos. However, regarding TZD class drugs with cardiovascular issues, the committee decided to determine the combined use of each TZD class drug separately. Therefore, prescription restrictions on the use of TZD in combos are expected to continue. HIRA is currently discussing formal procedures, including when to put the agenda up for deliberation to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Assessment Committee. The issue has been ongoing for almost 3 years since 2018 when the government’s proposal to ‘amend the reimbursement standards to approve combined use of drugs by class’ to improve convenience and coverage for the patients. However, the amendment was put on hold due to the lack of efficacy data in some drugs that have no clinical studies conducted, and the academia’s opposition that reimbursement should be only allowed according to each drug’s indication. However, academia had first ignited the discussion on expanding reimbursement for diabetes drug combos as the different indications of drugs in the same class lead to confusion in the field and insurance cuts. The case was no different in 2013 when reimbursement was extended to DPP-4 inhibitor and thiazolidinedione class drug combinations. However, the end results were completely different. However, academia, which had always stressed the importance of clinical experience and expert judgment over indications or fiscal impact, had made a very different decision for the use of SGLT-2 inhibitor combos. As a result, the ‘class effect’ of SGLT-2 inhibitors were the only ones not recognized under the reimbursement standards among all oral diabetes drugs in Korea. However, academia had later submitted a statement recognizing the need for reimbursing SGLT-2 inhibitor combos, under which the MFDS had announced that it will ‘simplify’ the method of listing indications of diabetes treatments from ingredients to just ▲single or ▲combination therapy. And HIRA came to a positive conclusion this time. Currently, four SGLT-2 inhibitors - ‘Forxiga (dapagliflozin),’ ‘Jardiance (empagliflozin),’ ‘Suglat (ipragliflozin),’ and ‘Steglatro (ertugliflozin) – are being sold in Korea. For all 9 DPP-4 inhibitors in the Korean market to establish grounds for combined use according to principle, clinical studies on 36 combinations need to be conducted. In the same sense, 8 clinical studies are required to establish evidence for the combined use of 2 TZDs and 4 SGLT-2 inhibitors.
- Company
- Eliquis generics pull out from market after losing suit
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 27, 2021 05:51am
- With major Eliquis (apixaban) generics products removed from the insurance benefit list after losing the patent suit, the Eliquis generics have now completely withdrawn from the market. As a result, the only dispute left between the original and generic companies for Eliquis is the claims for damages, and a fierce legal battle is expected on the calculation of compensation for damages. According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 23rd, 26 products (13 companies) of Eliquis generics were removed from the reimbursement list this month. The drugs include Chong Kun Dang’s ‘Liquisia,’ Samjin Pharm’s ‘Elxaban,’ Yuhan Corp’s ‘Yuhan Apixaban,’ Hanmi Pharm’s ‘Apixban,’ and Jeil Pharmaceutical’s ‘Jerixaban.’ The other generics that were left on the reimbursement list were drugs that haven’t been sold after listing. With the removal, the market withdrawal of Eliquis generics has been officially complete in 2 years since the generics were released in the market. Chong Kun Dang and others had succeeded in targeting Eliquis’ substance patent in February 2018 (first trial), then succeeded in nullifying Eliquis’ composition patient, which led to the sequential release of its generics from June 2019. However, the situation took a downturn with the Supreme Court ruling, which overturned the first and second trial and ruled in favor of the original company. Companies that sold Eliquis generics voluntarily discontinued sales of their products to reduce the claims for damages from patent infringement. With the exit of the generics, the only dispute left between the original and generic companies is the compensation suit filed by BMS against generic companies. BMS filed a claim for damages against generic companies in 2019. However, the progress of the damages suit was sluggish as the Supreme Court ruling remained. And after the Supreme Court ruling came out in April, not many further pleadings were held due to the influence of the COVID-19 incident. The pharmaceutical industry predicts that lawsuits for damages will speed up with the Supreme Court ruling. And a fierce battle between the two sides is expected over how the specific amount for damages will be set. In general, the amount of damages for patent infringement is set at 14.2% of actual sales sold for each generic, as the judiciary considers the operating profit of the industry to be around 14.2%. However, the calculation becomes much more complex when damages are specifically calculated by category because the 'profit' made from patent infringement is considered the amount that should be compensated for damages. For example, the cost of the raw material sand APIs is generally excluded from charges, because the ingredients would not have been purchased if not for the generics’ release. Calculation of labor, sales, and promotion expenses is more complex. This is the part where the two parties clash the most. As each generic company invests different amounts in labor, sales, and promotion expenses, the original company is having the most trouble calculating this amount. Also, some have mentioned that the original company is preparing new reasoning to increase the compensation that should be paid by generics companies. Until recently, generic companies have earned a total of 12.7 billion won in 2 years by releasing Eliquis generics. According to the pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST, Liquisia earned 4.1 billion won; Elxaban 2.4 billion won; Yuhan Apixaban 1.7 billion won; and Apixaban 1.1 billion won. An industry official said, “Based on previous rulings, the generic companies will have to pay around 1.8 billion won in compensation for damages incurred, so each company will be paying less than 0.6 million won. However, the companies may have to pay more under the new reasoning the original company is preparing.
- Company
- When does Sputnik ship in Korea?
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 27, 2021 05:51am
- SputnikShipment of the domestic finished product of the COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik developed in Russia will begin as early as next month. The consortium centered on Korus has already secured 10 million finished products, and the Huons Global Consortium plans to start producing finished products by the end of this year. ◆Prospects of shipment of finished products next month, Russian media also report "imminent" According to Korus on the 17th, the Korus consortium, which consists of seven companies and institutions, plans to ship the finished product of Sputnik as early as next month. Korus has already started producing finished products and has completed the production of undiluted solutions for 10 million people. An official from the company explained that if a request is received from RDIF, it can be shipped immediately after filling. Korus has completed the submission of relevant data and is waiting for certification from the Russian government. It explains that initial shipments are possible as soon as authentication is completed. There have also been reports in Russia that shipments are imminent. Russian news agency TASS reported on the 16th (local time) that GL Rafa will ship Sputnik Light in the near future, and RDIF is planning a commemorative event related to this. Huons Global product production has begun, "The forecast of production of finished products by the end of this year Korus signed a contract with RDIF for consignment production of Sputnik V in September last year. Since then, Korus has formed a consortium with six companies and one institution, including Binex, Boryungbio, Isu Abxis, CKD Bio, Quratis, and Andong Animal Cell Demonstration Support Center. The consortium plans to build production facilities of more than 100 million doses per month. However, as product production and local approval were delayed due to local circumstances in Russia, questions were raised over the specific timing of shipment of finished products. An official from Korus said, "We signed the first Sputnik V consignment production contract, but with the release of Sputnik Light, which was improved with one inoculation, the originally planned schedule has been slightly delayed," adding, "We expect to be able to ship as early as next month." ◆Huons Global product production has begun, The forecast of production of finished products by the end of this year Huons Global Consortium also predicts that it will be possible to produce finished products within this year. Prestige Biopharma, Humedix, and BoranPharma are participating in the Huons Global Consortium. Huons Global announced on the 17th that it has started production of Sputnik V's products since this week. Prestige Biopharma is in charge of this production. Prestige Biopharma is in charge of manufacturing undiluted solutions at the Huons Global Consortium. After a Russian official checks the product, a Huons Global official predicted that production of the finished product will be from November to December. A meeting with Russian officials last August with Huons Global Consortium An official from Huons Global said, "It is expected that the validation confirmation process will be completed within this month. We will be able to start producing finished products within this year, he said. The produced products will be supplied to more than 70 countries that have approved Sputnik at the request of Russia, he said. Huons Global signed a contract with RDIF for consignment production of SputnikV in April.
- Company
- Celltrion signed a contract with the U.S. for DiaTrust
- by Lee, Seok-Jun Sep 24, 2021 05:56am
- Celltrion will supply DiaTrustTM COVID-19 Rapid Test, co-developed with Humasis, an in vitro diagnostic company, to the United States through Celltrion USA. According to the company on the 23rd, Celltrion USA was finally selected as a supplier in a purchasing project conducted by DLA under the U.S. Department of Defense. As early as the 1st of next month, it will begin supplying DiaTrust to 25,000 designated procurement sites in the United States, including military facilities, nursing homes, regional inspection centers, and major facilities. The contract period is until September 16 next year. The contract amount can increase by up to 738.2 billion won depending on the situation, the largest among the selected suppliers. An official from Celltrion emphasized, "The fact that we participated as a supplier in the U.S. defense procurement project, which has strict standards, has been recognized for Celltrion's technology and supply capabilities." Unlike other rapid diagnostic kits, DiaTrust is a product that improves sensitivity and specificity by applying two antibodies that bind to the N protein and S protein of the COVID-19 virus, respectively, and can check for infection within 15 minutes. It is possible to check for infection immediately after examination without additional equipment, and it shows accuracy of 93.3% sensitivity and 99.0% specificity. DiaTrust is divided into POCT and OTC that can be used with the help of medical experts under permission to use. This contract is supplied as POCT.
- Company
- Trelegy Ellipta can be prescribed at general hospitals
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 23, 2021 05:44am
- The COPD treatment Trelegy Ellipta can be prescribed at general hospitals. According to related industries, GSK Korea's COPA treatment Trelegy Ellipta (Fluticasone Furoate, Umecridinium Br, Villanterol Trifenate) passed DC at 38 medical institutions including Big 5 General Hospitals such as Seoul National University Hospital and Asan Medical Center. Since the insurance benefits in June, prescriptions have become possible quickly. Trelegy Ellipta is the first COPD complex approved in Korea in May 2018. It is prescribed as a maintenance therapy for moderate and severe COPD that is not properly controlled by persistent β2 agonist and inhalation corticosteroid combination therapy or LABA and LAMA combination therapy in adults. As for the benefit criteria, despite ▲ persistent beta 2 agonist and LAMA combination therapy, if FEV1 value is less than 60% of the normal prediction or acute exacerbation occurs more than twice a year, ▲If symptoms such as dyspnea are not properly controlled despite persistent beta 2 agonist and inhalation corticosteroid combination therapy, ▲If a patient who is simultaneously administering Vilanterol trifenate/Fluticasone furoate and Umecridinium Br satisfies each individual examination, this is the case when pt wants to switch to Trelegy. The validity of Trelegy Ellipta has been reaffirmed through a recent INTREPID phase 4 study. The study was conducted at 147 centers in five European countries, including the UK and Germany, with a total of 3,092 COPD patients participating. Patients were assigned to the Trelegy Ellipta treatment group and the multiple inhalation type three-drug combination treatment group on a one-to-one basis. The primary efficacy evaluation variable was the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, which is the COPD evaluation test, to evaluate patients' health status. As a result of measuring the ratio of patients whose CAT score decreased by more than 2 units to baseline at the 24th week of treatment, the median CAT score in the patient group treated with Trelegy Ellipta was 18.0 (8.0), and the median CAT score in the multiple inhalation groups was 19.1 (7.9), significantly improving overall health. The secondary efficacy evaluation variable based on the sub-analysis was the change in FEV1 identified at week 24 of treatment and the proportion of patients who committed more than one serious error when using each inhaler. As a result of the analysis, FEV1 in the Trelegy Ellipta treatment group was 77 mL, which showed statistically superior lung function improvement compared to the multiple inhalation treatment group (28 mL).
- Company
- It surpassed ₩1 trillion in monthly drug imports
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 23, 2021 05:43am
- In August, pharmaceutical imports surpassed ₩1 trillion for the first time. This is due to the fact that imports of Pfizer, Moderna vaccines were reflected in statistics following July. Drug exports rose 10% year-on-year to ₩700 billion last month. However, as imports increased sharply around the COVID-19 vaccine, the deficit in the drug trade balance hit the highest level since December 2019. ◆In August, vaccine imports amounted to ₩340 billion, the highest ever According to the Korea Customs Service on the 15th, imports of domestic medicines in August were $870.81 million. This is the first time that monthly drug imports have surpassed 1 trillion won. Compared to $50.32 million in August last year, it jumped 64%. It renewed its highest import amount ever for two consecutive months following July. In July, drug imports amounted to $819.58 million. As imports of COVID-19 vaccines began in earnest, the total amount of medicines imported increased significantly. Domestic vaccine imports were only $34.45 million by February this year, but as COVID-19 vaccine imports began in earnest, they surged to $49.82 million in March, $54.91 million in April, $58.88 million in May, $15.51 million in June, and $211.62 million in July. It recorded $291.53 million in August, once again breaking the record for the highest amount set in July. Considering that the domestic supply of Moderna vaccine has been disrupted in July and August, it is predicted that vaccine imports may increase further after September. Excluding vaccine imports, monthly drug imports remain around $600 million, similar to last year. ◆Pharmaceutical exports amounted to ₩690 billion, the largest trade deficit in 20 months Exports of medicines in August amounted up to 10% from$50.303 million a year earlier. As imports increased significantly compared to pharmaceutical exports, the domestic pharmaceutical trade deficit increased significantly. The drug trade balance recorded a deficit of $277.78 million in August. The deficit is the largest in 20 months after recording $317.24 million in December 2019. The domestic drug trade balance has steadily recorded a surplus from August last year to March this year, except for October last year, due to increased biosimilar exports. However, since the import of COVID-19 vaccines began in earnest, the deficit has gradually increased.
- Company
- The once-daily Xeljanz XR lands in general hospitals
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Sep 17, 2021 05:56am
- The new extended-release formulation of Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR, has started its landing process in general hospitals. According to industry sources, Pfizer Korea’s rheumatoid arthritis treatment ‘Xeljanz XR 11mg’ passed the Drug Committees (DCs) of the Big-5s general hospitals in Korea - Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), Asan Medical Center (AMC), Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Samsung Medical Center (SMC), and Severance Hospital – as well as other major medical institutions in the nation. Xeljanz XR, which was listed for insurance benefit since April last year, can be used in adult rheumatoid arthritis patients that meet the ACR/EULAR criteria whose: ▲DAS28 is more than 5.1, or ▲DAS28 is between 3.2 to 5.1 with radiographic damage progression in the joints, that have been treated with over 2 types of DMARDS (including MTX) for 6 months (3months each) but had inadequate treatment effect or discontinued treatment due to side effects of the drugs. However, Xeljanz XR was approved only for the rheumatoid arthritis indication and was unable to add indications for psoriatic arthritis or ulcerative colitis. The new approval hold significance as the Xeljanz 5mg that was previously approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Korea was administered twice daily, but the new 11mg dose that was approved allows for once-daily dosing. Meanwhile, Xeljanz XR 11mg demonstrated non-inferiority with Xeljanz+methotrexate (MTX) in the ORAL SHIFT study. The study was conducted on 533 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who achieved low disease activity (LDA) with a Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) of 10 or less after 24 weeks of treatment with Xeljanz+MTX combination to assess the non-inferiority of Xeljanz monotherapy (11mg, once-daily) in comparison to Xeljanz+MTX. The primary endpoint of the study was least squares (LS) mean changes in DAS-28-4(ESR) from weeks 24 to 48, which was deemed non-inferior if the difference between the two arms was less than 0.6. Results showed that the mean change in DAS-28-ESR from weeks 24 to 48 was 0.33 for the Xeljanz monotherapy group and 0.03 in the Xeljanz+MTX groups, demonstrating Xeljanz XR’s non-inferiority with an LS mean difference of 0.30 (95% CI; 0.12~0.48).
- Company
- Blockbuster anticancer drug series 4 - Avastin
- by Sep 17, 2021 05:55am
- "By blocking blood vessels generated to proliferate cancer, cancer is starved to death.There is a drug that realizes the theory of a professor at Harvard University in the U.S., who caused a "sensation" in the 1970s. Avastin, a Vascal Endothermic Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitor, which is also considered a good partner for immuno-cancer drugs. It's the first anti-VEGF event to surpass 100 billion won. Avastin was launched when Genentech in the United States was interested in angiogenesis research and discovered VEGF and genes. Avastin has greatly succeeded along with new antibody drugs such as Rituxan and Herceptin. After Avastin's approval, Roche completely acquired Genentec. Avastin received a lot of expectations and concerns at once. Avastin, which started as a treatment for colorectal cancer, had indications for various carcinomas such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. In particular, Avastin significantly increased the treatment effect in carcinoma. However, side effects such as high blood pressure, blood clots, and heart failure caused by excessive inhibition of angiogenesis have become controversial. Indications for breast cancer have been withdrawn in the United States due to ambiguous effects against toxicity. Controversy also arose in unauthorized indications. Wet macular degeneration, which causes blindness, is also caused by excessive proliferation of new blood vessels under the retina. Avastin preference was much higher because of the low cost. Avastin was widely used in the treatment of macular degeneration. In Korea, Avastin has expanded its indications relatively smoothly to breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer since it was approved as a treatment for colorectal cancer in 2005. It was used as a primary treatment in all indications other than glioblastoma and became essential for chemotherapy. With the first registration in 2014, Avastin surpassed 100 billion won in sales for the first time in 2018, 13 years after approval based on IQVIA. Last year, it posted 118 billion won in sales. This is the third-highest selling figure in the entire drug market in Korea. Will Avastin find a new opportunity? Avastin is a good drug to use with other anticancer drugs due to its mechanical nature. It is used with conventional chemotherapy in all indications other than glioblastoma. Targeted anticancer drugs have obtained primary treatment indications for EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer with good effects with Tarceva, an EGFR target treatment. It is also used in primary maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer in combination with the PARP inhibitor Lynparza. Roche received primary treatment indications for liver cancer and non-small cell lung cancer through combination therapy with its anti-PD-L1 immuno-cancer drug Tecentriq and Avastin. Keytruda and Opdivo are also exploring the possibility of being used in combination with Avastin in various carcinomas. It is expected that anti-VEGF drugs will compensate for the limitations of cancer immunotherapy alone. Some clinical trials have failed, but combination of cancer immunotherapy and Avastin is still a good strategy. Avastin is widely used. Big Pharma such as Amgen, Pfizer, and Beringer Ingelheim are participating overseas, and two biosimilars have been released in Korea this year. They are Onbevzi of Samsung Bioepis and Zirabev of Pfizer. Onbevzi, the first simulator sold by Boryeong Pharmaceutical, has been paid since this month, and is in the midst of preparing for prescriptions at general hospitals. However, Zirabev is more advantageous in indications. Onbevzi, did not receive some indications for ovarian cancer related to the patent for use. Celltrion and Prestige Biopharma are also developing biosimilar products, so competitive drugs are expected to increase further. When competition begins in earnest, Avastin sales, which amount to 120 billion won, are expected to be inevitable. Avastin sales have already declined as biosimilars have already entered the largest European and U.S. markets. Global sales fell 25% year-on-year last year. In the case of Korea, drug prices have been continuously lowered since Avastin was registered, and the actual difference between the original and biosimilars is expected to be insignificant as only 5% of the patient's burden is applied. The results may vary depending on the non-reimbursed item. In particular, there are biosimilars that are cheaper than Avastin in off-label diseases such as macular degeneration. Sales of expired patents are usually falling, but Avastin has new opportunities. It is an expansion of benefits in combination with Tecentriq. In the primary treatment of liver cancer, combined therapy passed the HIRA's Cancer Drugs Benefit Application Committee in February. In particular, it is more difficult to replace biosimilars with combination therapy with immuno-cancer drugs. The primary benefit for liver cancer is currently in the presumption stage for more than six months. The key is how quickly Roche Korea and the government will be able to reach an agreement over Avastin drug prices, which are burdensome at high prices.
