Which company does Giritinib come from?

Gilteritinib, also known as ASP2215, is a small molecule part of the FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor family that offers greater selectivity and potency than other drugs in this group. It is a pyrazinecarboxamide derivative that exhibits high selectivity for FLT3, preventing c-Kit-driven myelosuppression observed with other therapies. Giritinib was developed by Astellas Pharma and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 28.

In a major study of 371 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3 mutations, giritinib extended patients' lives compared with those who received chemotherapy. Patients treated with giritinib lived an average of 9.3 months, compared with 5.6 months for patients treated with various chemotherapy regimens. The most common side effects of giritinib are increased levels of certain enzymes in the blood, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, constipation, cough, peripheral edema, dyspnea, dizziness, hypotension, pain in the extremities, weakness, joint pain, and myalgia.

The original drug of geritinib has been launched in China, but it has not yet been included in the medical insurance. The price of each box of 40mg*42 tablets may be more than 20,000 yuan. The price of the Hong Kong version of the original drug is about 90,000 yuan per box. The price of the European version of the original drug, 40mg*84 tablets, per box listed overseas is around RMB 210,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is very expensive. Generic drugs of giritinib are currently produced and sold overseas, and their drug ingredients are basically the same as those of the original drugs sold domestically and abroad. For example, the price of 40mg*84 tablets per box produced by a Laos pharmaceutical factory is more than 4,000 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate).