On May 11, Macau’s first YESCARTA® CAR-T cell therapy center jointly built by Fosun Kite, a joint venture of Fosun Pharma (600196.SH, 02196.HK), and Macau Kiang Wu Hospital was officially launched. This marks the official entry of China’s first cell therapy drug, YESCARTA® , into Macau, China, providing new treatment options and options for the majority of hematological tumor patients in Macau.
CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy, is based on the basic principle of using the patient’s own immune cells to kill and eliminate cancer cells. It is currently the world’s leading new cell therapy. In June 2021, the launch of Akilenza injection officially opened the first year of CAR-T treatment in China, achieving a breakthrough in the domestic cell therapy field from “0” to “1”.
Since being approved for marketing by the State Food and Drug Administration in June 2021, Akilenza Injection has successfully treated more than 700 lymphoma patients. In June 2023, Akilenza injection was approved for marketing for a new second-line indication (adult large B-cell lymphoma that fails first-line immunochemotherapy or relapses within 12 months after first-line immunochemotherapy), advancing the development of adult large B-cell lymphoma. Advances in the treatment of lymphoma have brought hope to more patients who are ineffective or relapsed with first-line immunochemotherapy.
According to reports, CAR-T therapy is characterized by individual customization and one-time therapy, requiring a separate production line for each patient. The Macau Food and Drug Administration, Health Bureau, Civil Aviation Administration, Customs, Airlines and other relevant regulatory authorities and cooperative enterprises attach great importance to the implementation of the CAR-T project, speed up various administrative approval processes, and make every effort to clear up the difficulties and blockages in all aspects of two-way logistics. In 2023 In September 2020, Akilenza Injection was approved as the first cell therapy drug to be launched in Macau, China, helping patients in Macau to use the world’s leading CAR-T therapy drugs faster and more timely.
With the launch of Akilonsai Injection in Macao and the completion of the CAR-T cell therapy center at Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao lymphoma patients who originally needed to go to mainland hospitals for treatment can receive high-quality CAR-T cell therapy at their doorstep.
“In the future, patients can also enjoy the world’s leading CAR-T treatment in Macau. The treatment cycle is greatly shortened and the chance of cure is significantly improved. Dr. Xie Xuebin, deputy director of Macau Kiang Wu Hospital, said that the hospital will maintain a positive attitude and continue to explore new treatments. , in line with the new industrial policy of the Macau SAR government, we will strive to make progress in the general health field in the “1+4 Economic Moderate Diversification Development Strategy” and provide patients with high-quality medical services.