What will be the market price of Upadacitinib in 2025?

Upadacitinib (Upadacitinib) has quickly become a star product among JAK targeted drugs since it was officially launched in mainland China in 2023. Its original drug is produced by the American company AbbVie, and its domestic trade name is "Ruifu". It has been included in the national medical insurance catalog, which greatly reduces patients' medication burden. The common specifications are 15 mg and 28 tablets, and each box sells for about RMB 2,000.

In the international market, the selling price of upadatinib varies greatly. Taking Europe as an example, the EU original research version may cost more than 20,000 yuan per box (15mg 28 tablets), while in the United States, the retail price may even exceed 30,000 yuan per box. The high costs mainly come from R&D investment, brand premium and distribution channel expenses. However, in order to meet the market needs of different countries, some regions have launched more cost-effective imitation versions. At present, manufacturers such as Laos Lucius Pharmaceuticals have successively launched generic drugs containing the same active ingredients. The ingredients of the drugs are consistent with the original drugs, the efficacy is similar, and the price is more affordable. For example, the price of 15mg*28 tablets is about RMB 500 (may fluctuate depending on exchange rate changes), which is lower than the price of the original drug, making it an economical drug option.

As competition in the globalJAK inhibitor market intensifies, the cost of upadatinib is expected to decline further. Especially in Asia, the promotion of generic drugs and policy negotiations will further improve the accessibility of drugs. It is worth noting that although the active ingredients of generic drugs are consistent with the original drugs, there may be differences in minor aspects such as excipients and dissolution rate. Therefore, patients should consult their doctor before switching to a new version to ensure that the drug effect is stable.

For patients with rheumatism or skin diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) who require long-term treatment, the launch of upadatinib and medical insurance coverage are undoubtedly important developments. In the future, as competition intensifies and policies are improved, the price is expected to continue to be optimized, making this targeted drug affordable for more patients, thereby achieving long-term disease control and improving quality of life.

Reference materials:https://www.rinvoq.com/