Is Etrasimod-Velsipity an imported product?

Etrasimod (Etrasimod) has not yet been approved for marketing in China, so it is temporarily unavailable through formal channels in the domestic market. As a new oral immunomodulator, it is mainly used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). It has completed a number of key clinical trials overseas and has been approved by drug regulatory authorities in some countries. Since it is not on the market in China, patients who want to use this drug need to rely on legal overseas procurement channels, so it can be classified as an overseas drug in China.

In overseas markets, Velsipity is mainly sold as an original drug, including the European version and the American version. The European version is usually produced by European pharmaceutical companies and follows the quality standards of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), while the U.S. version is produced by American pharmaceutical companies and meets the regulatory requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The ingredients, specifications and efficacy of the two products remain the same, but there are certain differences in price and supply channels due to geographical, logistics and tax factors. When overseas drugs are imported into China through formal channels, they are generally for personal use at their own expense, and the price is relatively high. This is also a typical feature of imported drugs.

As an imported drug, itridimod has strict quality control and stable pharmaceutical ingredients, which is especially important for UC patients who require long-term maintenance treatment. Overseas original drugs have shown significant efficacy and controllable safety in clinical studies, and can improve patients' clinical symptoms, promote intestinal mucosal healing, and reduce dependence on corticosteroids. Compared with traditional immunosuppressants, Velsipity reduces the potential risks of comprehensive suppression of the immune system by selectively modulating the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor. This is also an important reason why it has attracted attention in overseas markets.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/mtm/etrasimod.html