Asahi Kasei Pharma files application for approval to manufacture and sell AK1820 (isavuconazonium sulfate) in Japan
September 30, 2021
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.
Asahi Kasei Pharma today filed an application for approval to manufacture and sell AK1820 (generic name: isavuconazonium sulfate) in Japan for treatment of the fungal infections aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and cryptococcosis.
Isavuconazonium sulfate was created as a new antifungal agent by Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. (Basilea) of Switzerland. Asahi Kasei Pharma obtained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize isavuconazonium sulfate in Japan in September 2016, and has advanced its development since then.
In accordance with its mission “to sincerely care for each individual life and solve their unmet medical needs with a wealth of ideas and solid science,” Asahi Kasei Pharma aims to realize a society where “no one should have to give up doing what they love due to illness” by providing isavuconazonium sulfate as a new therapeutic solution for patients with fungal infections.
About AK1820
- Product name
- Cresemba™ capsule 100 mg [planned]
Cresemba™ intravenous infusion 200 mg [planned] - Generic name
- Isavuconazonium sulfate
- Indication
- Fungal infection (aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and cryptococcosis) [planned]
- Characteristics
- Isavuconazonium sulfate is an intravenous and oral azole antifungal agent. Developed jointly by Basilea and its licensee Astellas Pharma Inc., isavuconazonium sulfate was approved in March 2015 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis. In Europe, it was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in October 2015. Isavuconazonium sulfate has been approved by almost 60 countries and is marketed under the trade name Cresemba™ in 54 countries.
About Basilea
Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and led by CEO David Veitch, is a subsidiary of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, which was established in 2000. Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. is committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the medical needs of patients with cancer and infectious diseases.