Is venetoclax/venetoclax a targeted drug? What is the price and efficacy?

Venetoclax is a B-cell lymphoma-2 protein (BCL-2) inhibitor. It is a targeted anti-tumor drug in the field of precision medicine. It has a highly selective mechanism of inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 in tumor cells, thereby promoting the programmed death of cancer cells. As a new generation of targeted therapy, venetoclax has been approved by multiple national drug regulatory agencies for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and specific types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Its treatment mechanism is significantly different from traditional chemotherapy. Through precise target action, it not only improves the efficacy, but also reduces damage to normal cells. The side effects spectrum is also relatively controllable. It is an important progress in the current treatment of hematological tumors.

In terms of price, the original drug of venetoclax was jointly developed by AbbVie (AbbVie) and Genentech and has been officially launched in mainland China. Common specifications on the market include 10mg 14 tablets, 50mg 7 tablets, 100mg 14 tablets and 100mg 4 tablets*7 plates, etc. The price per box ranges from RMB 1,000 to RMB 4,000. Although the price is not low, it has been included in the list of Class B medical insurance drugs in China. Especially for the indications of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, it can enjoy medical insurance reimbursement, which greatly eases the financial burden of patients. It should be noted that medical insurance reimbursement usually has prerequisites, such as a clear diagnosis, combined use of specific drugs (such as azacitidine or decitabine), and failure to receive intensive chemotherapy.

In addition to the domestic version, Venekra is also widely circulated in overseas markets. Among them, the current market price of the Turkish version of the original drug (100 mg, 112 tablets) is about more than 10,000 yuan (which may change due to exchange rate fluctuations), which is slightly higher than the domestic price. For patients looking to save on treatment costs, there are also some reliable generic versions available. For example, the generic version of venetoclax produced in Laos (such as 100mg 120 tablets) sells for only more than 1,000 yuan, which is significantly lower than the original drug. Its active ingredients and bioequivalence are basically the same as the original drug, and it is favored by some overseas medical channels. However, it should be pointed out that although the cost of generic drugs is lower, there are still certain differences from the original drugs in terms of quality stability, drug source compliance, after-sales service and clinical data. Therefore, it is recommended that patients consult professional doctors through formal channels before use and ensure that the source of drug procurement is reliable and legal.

From the clinical efficacy point of view, bothIn patients with CLL, SLL or AML, venetoclax has shown a relatively significant response rate. The median time to complete response and progression-free survival was significantly longer in combination regimens (eg, with obinutuzumab or azacitidine). Compared with traditional treatment methods, venetoclax also shows better tolerance and treatment compliance in elderly patients with comorbidities. Especially in the field of AML treatment, venetoclax brings new hope for survival to elderly patients who are not suitable for intensive induction chemotherapy.

Reference materials:https://www.venclexta.com/