Is Rituximab on the market?

Rituximab (Rituximab) was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 as a single agent to treat patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, it has now been approved for labeling in a variety of conditions under the trade name Ritnxan. The EU first approved rituximab for marketing in 1998, with the trade name Mabthera. In 2021, rituximab was approved for domestic marketing under the brand name Rituximab.

Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen found on the surface of normal and malignant B lymphocytes. The antibody is an IgG1 immunoglobulin containing murine light and heavy chain variable region sequences and human constant region sequences. In 2018, the US FDA approved Truxima, the first biosimilar of rituximab.

Rituximab entered the scope of Class B medical insurance after being launched in China. However, rituximab is a strictly controlled drug and its purchase may be restricted. Specifications The price of 500mg/500mL per box may be around 8,000 yuan, which is relatively expensive. The price of the Indian original version of 500mg/500mL marketed overseas may be around 3,000 yuan per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates) . There are also generic rituximab drugs produced by other pharmaceutical companies in India. The price of 500mg/500mL per box may be around 1,500 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). Its drug ingredients are basically the same as those of domestic and foreign original drugs.