Whether Zolbetuximab is available in China and its acquisition channels and approval status

Zolbetuximab (Zolbetuximab) is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CLDN18.2 (tight junction protein 18.2). It is mainly used to treat CLDN18.2 Patients with positive gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The drug targets tumor-specific expression of CLDN18.2 and activates antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), thereby exerting anti-tumor effects and providing precise treatment options for gastric cancer patients with specific molecular types.

In the domestic market, the original drug Zotuximab is already on the market, but it has not yet been included in the national medical insurance catalog, so patients need to purchase it at their own expense. The common specifications in China are 100mg/ boxes, and the price is about more than 5,000 yuan. Since it is not covered by medical insurance, patients need to purchase prescriptions through regular hospital or designated pharmacy channels and follow the doctor's individualized medication plan to ensure efficacy and safety.

In overseas markets, the generic drug Zotuximab has been launched in Europe and Japan. The common specifications are also 100mg/ boxes. Each box may be sold for more than 7,000 yuan (affected by exchange rate fluctuations). Overseas drugs are mainly obtained through local hospitals, pharmacies or legal cross-border medical channels. For domestic patients who want to import overseas versions, they need to pay attention to relevant regulations, import licenses and logistics security to ensure that the source of the drugs is legal and reliable.

Currently, there are no generic versions of zotuximab on the market, meaning there are no low-cost alternatives available. When using it in China, patients should pay close attention to drug supply and marketing dynamics, and follow doctor's recommendations for standardized treatment. With the progress of drug approval and generic drug development in the future, it is expected that patients may have more choices in drug purchasing channels and prices, thereby further improving clinical accessibility.

Keyword tag:

CLDN18.2Targeted drugs, gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, targeted therapy, drug prices, medical insurance policies, imported drugs, no generic drugs, regular drug purchase channels

Reference materials:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39282934/