The launch of China’s first CAR-T cell therapy product, Yikaida (Yescarta), gave the patients the hope of “cure” said Gu Hongfei, founder of Lymphoma Home in China.
In June last year, Yikaida (Yescarta) became the first CAR-T cell therapy product approved for marketing in China, which is suitable for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) after second-line or above systemic therapy. Xiaobu learned on June 16 that CAR-T has shown definite clinical efficacy in the field of hematological tumors. On the first anniversary of the launch of iKata in China, it has benefited more than 200 Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma (LBCL).
After successfully promoting the launch of the first CAR-T cell therapy product in China, Huang Hai, CEO of Fosun Kite, revealed that the company is actively expanding more indications of Yikaida (Yescarta), developing new targets and technologies, and accelerating the research and development process in the field of solid tumors. , hoping to benefit more cancer patients.
Five “in-progress” plans to strengthen tumor immune cell therapy R&D innovation
to fill the gap in solid tumor applications
“The approval of China’s first CAR-T cell therapy product not only provides us with more options for clinical treatment, but also allows patients who were originally ‘incurable’ to see the possibility of cure and regain the opportunity to return to a normal life. “Professor Wang Li, chief physician of the Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, said.
Up to now, Ruijin Hospital has treated more than 30 patients with commercialized CAR-T products, 19 patients can be evaluated in the treatment stage, the objective response rate (ORR) is as high as 94.7%, and the complete response rate (CR) is as high as 63.1% . Take the first treated elderly female patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma as an example. After two relapses, CAR-T cell therapy was used. After 24 days of hospitalization, complete remission was achieved at the first evaluation and after 6 months.
“As a doctor, we expect more and better products to enter the clinic as soon as possible to help more patients realize the hope of cure.” Professor Wang Li said.
As a new tumor therapy, CAR-T has the characteristics of personalized customization, one-time therapy, and predictable curative effect, bringing new hope to patients. CAR-T cell therapy is a personalized treatment method that utilizes the body’s own immune system to more precisely destroy tumor cells. Today, in the 10,000-square-meter CAR-T industrial production base established by Fosun Kite in Zhangjiang, Pudong, the “personalized” CAR-T cell therapy products that need to be completed through more than 600 processes are in accordance with the world’s first-class advanced standards. “Production”.
“During the most severe period of the Pandemic in Shanghai, the success rate of production and preparation in the Zhangjiang base remained 100%,” said Wei Mingchun, vice president of production at Fosun Kite. “The design of the workshop is in full reference to international advanced standards. It is based on workstations, one workstation, and all operations of each batch are completed in the same area, so that the overall design avoids microbial contamination and cross-infection to the greatest extent.”
The currently approved CAR-T cell therapy products are only suitable for patients with hematological tumors. Huang Hai revealed that Fosun Kite’s second CAR-T cell therapy product, FKC889 (for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (r/r MCL) after receiving second-line or above treatment in the past, will be launched in 2022. In March, it was approved to conduct clinical trials in China. In addition, Fosun Kite is actively deploying R&D pipelines and strengthening independent R&D capabilities, and is accelerating the promotion of 5 preclinical projects targeting solid tumors, and is committed to filling the huge gap in the application of solid tumors. .
It can be cured, and more patients can be
reached
The emergence of CAR-T cell therapy is regarded as a “life-saving” by patients who meet the indications.
In the year since its listing, Fosun Kite has continuously accelerated the commercialization of Yikaida (Yescarta) products, hoping to make it accessible to more patients. On the one hand, Fosun Kite actively promotes the implementation of innovative payment models to reduce the financial burden of patients. As of May 25, Yikaida (Yescarta) has been included in the Huimin Insurance of more than 30 provinces and cities; on the other hand, Fosun Kite actively expands The coverage of CAR-T treatment centers. As of the end of May, Yikaida (Yescarta) has registered more than 80 treatment centers to meet the treatment needs of patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma in different provinces and cities.
As one of Fosun Pharma’s innovative platforms, the launch of Fosun Kite’s CAR-T cell therapy products in China is just a starting point. Wu Yifang, Chairman of Fosun Pharma, said that the tumor field has always been the focus of Fosun Pharma. From diagnosis to treatment, the entire industry chain has formed an in-depth layout of the tumor ecology.
After more than ten years of continuous investment, Fosun Pharma has ushered in the approval of a number of industry “first” products in the field of tumor treatment. The cooperation model connects outstanding scientific talents from all over the world, and promotes the development and implementation of innovative technologies and products.
Source: Published by Pudong