Has brigatinib/brigatinib been launched in China?

Brigatinib/Brigatinib is a drug that has been launched and widely sold in the Chinese market. This drug will officially hit the Chinese market in 2022, providing a new treatment option for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who suffer from anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutations. It is worth mentioning that brigatinib was quickly included in the Class B medical insurance catalog after it was launched, which means that eligible patients can enjoy the reimbursement policy of medical insurance.

Brigatinib, formerly known asAP26113, exhibits dual inhibitory effects on anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Compared with conventional EGFR, brigatinib has higher selectivity for mutated EGFR. In addition, it can effectively deal with nine different crizotinib-resistant mutants of the EML4-ALK fusion gene, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Because of this, brigatinib is particularly suitable for patients who have already been treated with crizotinib but had poor response or developed resistance. As an anti-tumor drug, brigatinib helps the body eliminate these malignant cells by interfering with the growth mechanism of cancer cells.

It needs to be emphasized that brigatinib is a prescription drug and must be used by patients under the guidance of a doctor. Currently, brigatinib is available in various specifications on the Chinese market, including 30mg in 14-tablet packs with 2 tablets, 90mg in 7-tablet packs or 7-tablets with 4-packs, and 180mg in 7-tablet packs with 4 tablets. However, the price of this drug is relatively high, and each box may cost close to 10,000 yuan, which is also an important factor that patients need to consider when choosing.