What is the difference between the original Sotorasib and the generic version?

For genuine original drugs (innovator drug) and generic drugs (generic drug), the main differences lie in their research and development, marketing, patenting and production. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two types of medications.

Genuine original medicine

1. Research and development process: Genuine original drugs are comprehensively researched and developed by pharmaceutical companies, which usually takes several years. This process includes multiple stages such as drug discovery, preliminary research, and clinical trials. These companies invest significant amounts of money and resources to find new treatments or drugs.

2. Patent protection: Once a new compound of a genuine original drug is successfully developed, a pharmaceutical company will obtain a patent, making it the only company to produce and sell the drug. Usually during the patent period, other companies cannot produce the same drug.

3. Approval process: Genuine original drugs need to pass a strict drug approval process, including various tests on animal models and humans. This ensures the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

4. High costs: Due to the high costs of R&D and approval processes, as well as market monopoly during the patent protection period, genuine original drugs are usually more expensive.

5. Brand: Genuine original drugs are sold in the market under their own brand names and trademarks, and these brands may create strong market recognition and trust.

Generic drugs

1. Research and development process: Generic drugs are developed by other pharmaceutical companies by studying the ingredients and preparation methods of the original drug after the patent protection period of the original drug expires. Therefore, the development time for generic drugs is usually shorter.

2. Patent term: The launch of generic drugs usually occurs after the patent protection period of the original drug expires. During the patent term, other companies cannot produce and sell the same drug.

3. Approval process: Generic drug R&D companies do not need to conduct comprehensive clinical trials because their ingredients and effects have been verified in studies of the original drugs. Therefore, the development and marketing process of generic drugs is relatively simplified.

4. Lower costs: Since original research and development and clinical trials are not required, the production costs of generic drugs are usually lower, making their prices relatively economical.

5. Brand vs. generic: Generic drugs are often sold under a generic name rather than using the brand name of the original drug. However, their composition and effects are similar to the originator drugs.

In general, there are obvious differences between genuine original drugs and generic drugs in terms of research and development, patents, approvals, costs and market brands. Although the research and development process of genuine original drugs is more complex and expensive, they also provide innovation and breakthroughs in the medical field, while generic drugs provide patients with more economical alternatives after the patent period expires. When using drugs, patients should choose appropriate drugs according to the doctor's advice, and at the same time choose reliable pharmaceutical companies and drug sources when purchasing drugs.

The original drug of sotorasibu has not yet been launched in China, so patients cannot purchase it domestically and need to purchase sotorasibu through overseas channels. The price of the original version of sotorasibu in Hong Kong, China, with the specifications of 120mg*240 tablets, is around 8 million, and the price of the European version of the original drug with the same specifications is around 4 million, which is relatively expensive. The cheaper ones are the generic drugs marketed abroad. For example, the price of generic drugs in Laos and Bangladesh is around two to three thousand yuan. The price is relatively cheap, and the ingredients of foreign generic drugs are basically the same as the original drugs.