BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese biotechnology company BeiGene announced on Monday that its self-developed cancer drug, known as Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) in capsule form, was approved in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy, reported China Securities Journal.
Following this approval, BeiGene will work with NewBridge Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, introducing Brukinsa to the markets in the MENA region including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
It is learned that MCL is a rarely-seen form of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), accounting for 5 percent of all NHL cases. "NHL is among the five most common cancers in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, with MCL in particular having a poor prognosis," said Abdul Aziz Hamadah, head of hematology department at Kuwait Cancer Control Center, noting that Brukinsa has potentially superior pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
So far, the drug has been approved in 50 countries and regions across the globe, namely the United States, China, the European Union, Britain, Canada, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and so on. 35 clinical trials of Brukinsa have been carried out across 28 markets around the world, covering more than 3,900 subjects, with over 40 additional regulatory submissions in review.
BeiGene is also accelerating its efforts in emerging markets, striving to bring the benefits of innovative medicines to all around the world. The company's vision is to provide as much patients as possible with innovative medicines that are effective, accessible and affordable, according to Mohammed Al-Kapany, senior director of new markets in MENA at BeiGene.
(Edited by Yu Huichen with Xinhua Silk Road, yhc0267@163.com)
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