What is avacopan? Is it on the market?

Avacopan (avacopan) is an innovative therapeutic drug that plays an important role in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. It is indicated primarily for the adjunctive treatment of adult patients with severe active ANCA-associated vasculitis, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), usually in combination with standard therapies including corticosteroids. However, avacopan does not completely eliminate the patient's need for glucocorticoids.

In Europe, avacopan is approved in combination with rituximab or cyclophosphamide for the treatment of adults with severely active GPA or MPA. This combination treatment option provides patients with new treatment options and helps to better control the disease.

From the mechanism of action, avacopan is a selective antagonist of human complement5a receptor (C5aR1 or CD88). It competitively inhibits the interaction between C5aR1 and anaphylatoxin C5a. Through specific and selective blockade of C5aR1, avacopan can reduce the pro-inflammatory effects of C5a. C5a plays a key role in the inflammatory response. It can promote the activation, migration and adhesion of neutrophils to inflammatory sites in small blood vessels, and can also cause the retraction and increased permeability of vascular endothelial cells. By inhibiting these processes, avacopan helps reduce the inflammatory damage of vasculitis, thereby improving patients' condition and quality of life.

Avacopan is already on the market in China, but given that it has not been on the market for a long time, it may not be easy to purchase the drug directly at the moment. It is understood that there is a version of this drug on the market overseas, with a specification of 10mg*30 pills per box and a price of about 15,000 yuan. If a patient requires avacopan, he or she can consult with Medical Consultants for more information.

Reference link:https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a622023.html