What is Avatrombopag?

Avatrombopag is an oral, second-generation thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA) approved for the treatment of primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adult patients who are refractory or unsatisfactory in response to other treatments, and for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) scheduled for invasive surgery.

In a phase III study, avatropopag was associated with significantly greater platelet responses than placebo in patients with chronic ITP and was superior to placebo in reducing baseline platelet counts <50 × 109/L during platelet transfusion or rescue procedures in patients with chronic liver disease who had surgically induced bleeding. Long-term data suggest that avatrombopag is associated with a high rate of durable response in chronic immune thrombocytopenia and may have corticosteroid-sparing effects. The drug was generally well tolerated in both indications. Therefore, avatrombopag provides a convenient and effective second-line treatment for patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia and can prevent bleeding events in patients with chronic liver disease scheduled to undergo surgery.

The original drug of avatrombopag has been launched in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance, but it is only reimbursed for eligible patients. The price of a common specification of 20mg*15 tablets may be more than 7,000 yuan per box, while the original drug of avatrombopag marketed overseas is even more expensive. It is understood that there are generic drugs of avatrombopag available overseas, and their pharmaceutical ingredients are basically the same as those of the original drug. For example, the price of a box of 20mg*30 tablets in Laos pharmaceutical production specifications may be around RMB 1,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates).