2011-07-20 3087
Business Times Report, June 29th - On June 16th, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) announced that its new drug for preventing kidney transplant rejection, Nulojix (belatacept), has received FDA approval for marketing. Additionally, the FDA has approved the use of this product in combination with other immunosuppressants. Nulojix is available as a 250mg lyophilized powder for injection.
Nulojix is a selective T-cell co-stimulation blocker. In a clinical study involving over 1,200 patients, Nulojix has demonstrated comparable overall efficacy to cyclosporine. Adverse reactions may include an increased risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) and, like other immunosuppressants, Nulojix may increase the risk of severe infections and other cancers. Common adverse reactions observed in transplant patients during the trial included anemia, constipation, kidney and bladder infections, leg swelling, and other symptoms. Moreover, individuals taking Nulojix are advised to minimize sun exposure to prevent the occurrence of skin cancer.
According to data from foreign research institutions, by the end of 2010, 592,000 patients with end-stage renal disease had undergone kidney transplantation. However, due to the global shortage of kidney donations compared to the number of patients awaiting transplantation, there has been no significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving kidney transplants.
In China, the main immunosuppressants used for anti-rejection in visceral transplantation include mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, and basiliximab. The following table provides information on the main manufacturers, with mycophenolate mofetil being produced by multiple manufacturers and available in various formulations.