Asahi Kasei Pharma and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Japan conclude exclusive distribution agreement for pegcetacoplan, a complement C3 inhibitor for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and avatrombopag, an agent for improving thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease
September 15, 2022
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Japan Co., Ltd. (Sobi Japan) have entered into an exclusive distribution agreement in Japan for pegcetacoplan, a complement C3 inhibitor for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria1 (PNH), and avatrombopag, an agent for improving thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease.
Pegcetacoplan is a PEGylated peptide2 inhibiting the function of complement protein C3, which triggers hemolysis (breaking down of red blood cells), and has been approved as a therapeutic drug for PNH in the U.S. and Europe. It is sold as Empaveli™ in the U.S. by Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and as Aspaveli® in Europe by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi). In Japan, an application has been filed for approval of its manufacture and sale.
Avatrombopag is a low molecular weight agonist of thrombopoietin receptor, which stimulates the production of platelets. It has been approved in the U.S., Europe, and China as an agent for improving thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease who are scheduled for elective invasive procedure. It is sold as Doptelet® in the U.S. and Europe by Sobi, and in China by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. In Japan, an application has been filed for approval of its manufacture and sale.
Through its agreement with Sobi Japan, Asahi Kasei Pharma obtains exclusive distribution rights in Japan for pegcetacoplan for PNH, and avatrombopag for thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease.
By providing new therapeutic options for patients with PNH and thrombocytopenia associated with chronic live disease, Asahi Kasei Pharma aims to realize a society where “no one should have to give up doing what they love due to illness” 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.”
About Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB
Sobi is an international biopharmaceutical company based in Stockholm, Sweden. Focused on haematology, immunology, and specialty care, Sobi strives to enhance the QoL of patients with rare diseases. To learn more, visit https://www.sobi.com/
- 1PNH is a rare hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by intravascular hemolysis due to a protein complement. A continually low level of hemoglobin causes anemia, severe fatigue, and dependency on blood transfusions. According to statistical data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there were 927 PNH patients in Japan in 2020.
- 2A PEGylated peptide is a peptide which has been chemically modified by the attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains. Such modification is expected to extend the half-life of the peptide in blood.