The role and efficacy of Eculizumab

Eculizumab (Eculizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that prevents activation of terminal complement in some autoimmune diseases. The duration of action of eculizumab is long, and patients taking this drug should be vaccinated against Neisseria meningitis because of past severe meningococcal infections. Eculizumab is administered via intravenous infusion and therefore has 100% bioavailability.

The active substance in eculizumab, the monoclonal antibodyeculizumab is also a protein designed to attach to the C5 complement protein, which is part of the body's defense system, the "complement system." In patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), complement proteins become overactive and damage the patient's own cells. By blocking the C5 complement protein and preventing the production of the terminal complement complex C5b-9, eculizumab prevents complement proteins from damaging cells, thereby helping to relieve the symptoms of these diseases.

The generic drug Eculizumab has been launched in China and is covered by medical insurance. It is only available for reimbursement to eligible patients. The specification is 300mg (30ml) and the price per box may be more than 3,000 yuan. It is understood that the price of each box of the original Eculizumab drug sold overseas is more than 6,000 US dollars (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of the original drug sold at home and abroad are basically the same, and the price of the original drug is still relatively expensive. There are currently no generic versions of eculizumab available on the market.