Is ustekinumab on the market?

Ustekinumab has been used in Canada, the United States and Europe since it was first approved in 2009, alone or in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis. In September 2016, ustekinumab was additionally approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease in selected adult patients. In October 2019, it also received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults.

Ustekinumab is the first and only approved biologic therapy for ulcerative colitis that targets the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Ustekinumab’s dosing schedule is based on the patient’s weight. The drug is available in both intravenous and subcutaneous dosage forms, depending on the dosing schedule and the condition being treated. Ustekinumab is commonly sold under the brand nameSTELARA. UstekinumabBiosimilars are available in some markets, including Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) in the United States and Jamteki (AVT04) in Canada.

The generic drug Ustekinumab has been launched in China and is included in the medical insurance, and is only reimbursed for patients who meet the indications. The price of the 130mg/26ml intravenous injection preparation may be more than 5,000 yuan per box, and the price of the 90mg: 1.0ml*1 subcutaneous injection preparation may be more than 8,000 yuan per box. The price of the 130mg/26ml intravenous injection preparation of Ustekinumab sold overseas may be more than 2,000 US dollars per box, and the price of 45mg: 0.5ml*1 subcutaneous injection preparation per box may be more than 10,000 US dollars. There are currently no generic versions of ustekinumab produced in other overseas countries.