On June 1, 2022, Hong Kong Winhealth Pharma Group (hereinafter referred to as "Winhealth Pharma") and Ferring Pharmaceuticals reached a strategic collaboration on Pentasa®: Winhealth Pharma will obtain the joint promotion rights of Pentasa® in the mainland Chinese market, bring treatment opportunities to more patients afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease, and help them improve their quality of life.
Eric Breumier, chief executive officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals in China, said: "Ferring Pharmaceuticals has always been committed to providing advanced treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in China and worldwide, providing high-quality academic support to relevant health care professionals, and actively exploring ways to improve drug accessibility, benefiting more patients with inflammatory bowel disease and continuously contributing to “Healthy China". Over the past few years, Ferring Pharmaceuticals has established a solid partnership with Winhealth Pharma through commercial collaboration of Terlipressin for Injection® and Desmopressin Acetate Injection®. Now, we hope to further strengthen cooperationon this basis and serve more Chinese patients with the times .
Mr. Wang Wei, founder, chairman and CEO of Winhealth Pharma, said: "After the collaboration in Terlipressin for Injection® and Desmopressin Acetate Injection®, our third cooperation not only reflects the tacit understanding and trust of both parties in commercial cooperation, but also shows our consistent care for the patients afflicted with the disease. At present, inflammatory bowel disease has gradually developed from a rare disease to a common disease, and more and more patients urgently need to be treated. Winhealth Pharma adheres to the patient-oriented concept and is committed to meeting the unmet health needs of many patients. We believe that with the joint efforts of both parties, Pentasa® will certainly benefit more patients. I am confident in attaining the goal. "
About Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease, mainly including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The etiology and pathogenesis of IBD have not been fully clarified. It is known that the inflammatory process caused by abnormal reactions of the intestinal mucosal immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD, and the clinical manifestations include gastrointestinal symptoms, systemic symptoms and extraintestinal manifestations [1].
Epidemiological survey data in China showed that the incidence of UC and CD was 2.05/100,000 and 1.09/100,000, respectively, taking Zhongshan, Guangdong Province as a representative of southern cities[2]. Taking Daqing, Heilongjiang Province as a representative of northern cities, the incidence of UC and CD was lower than that in the south as 1.64/100,000 and 0.13/100,000, respectively (3).
China has a large population base and an increasing number of IBD patients, stimulating an increase in the market demand for IBD drug therapy.
About Pentasa®
Pentasa® is a mesalamine preparation originally produced by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. As one of the leading brands in the international market, it first entered the Chinese market in 1995. At present, Pentasa has two dosage forms in the domestic market, mesalamine sustained-release tablets and mesalamine suppositories, which are mainly used for the acute treatment of ulcerative colitis and maintenance therapy to prevent recurrence, as well as the symptom improvement therapy of active Crohn's disease [4].
Pentasa tablets contain hundreds of ethylcellulose semipermeable film-coated mesalamine microparticles, which can be continuously released anywhere from the duodenum to the rectum, and the release is not affected by intestinal pH and diarrhea [5, 6]. Pentasa suppositories are non-encapsulated mesalamine particles with a water-soluble base, and the biparietal design ensures that there is sufficient drug concentration locally in the lesion. It is not easily excreted and effectively improves mucous bloody stools [7]. The mucosal drug concentration from rectum to splenic flexure using the combination of tablet and suppositories is higher, effectively preventing the extension of ulcerative colitis to the proximal end [8, 9].
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is an R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to helping people around the world build families and create better life. Based in St. Prex, Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the therapeutic areas of reproductive medicine, maternal health, gastroenterology and urology. Founded in 1950, Ferring Pharmaceuticals now has about 6,500 employees worldwide with branches in nearly 60 countries and markets, and its products are available in 110 countries and markets. For more information, please visit http://www.ferring.com or follow the WeChat official account of "Ferring Pharmaceuticals".
About Winhealth Pharma
Hong Kong Winhealth Pharma Group is a China-based, global innovative biomedical company founded in 2006, providing novel breakthrough therapies to patients with rare diseases and other unmet medical needs. The Group has established long-term strategic partnership with dozens of world-leading biotechnology companies. It has built a unique, balanced and diversified portfolio with numerous orphan drugs and specialty products at commercial and late clinical stages, and will continuously look to bring in more innovative therapies from the globe. For more information, http://www.winhealth.hk please visit or follow “Winhealth Pharma” on WeChat.
References:
[1] 王吉耀. 内科学[M]. 第2版. 北京：人民卫生出版社，2012.
[2] ZengZR, et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2013, 28(7): 1148-1153.
[3] ZhaoJ, et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2013, 19(9): 1839-1845.
[4] 颇得斯安®说明书.
[5] S G Nugent, et al. Gut. 2001 Apr;48(4):571-7.
[6] M C Rijk, et al. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1992 Oct;27(10):863-8.
[7] Lucidarme D, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997:11:335-40
[8] G Frieri, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Nov;13(11):1413-7.
[9] Antonio Cuomo, et al. Dig Dis. 2018;36(2):130-135.
Forward-looking statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements, reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of Winhealth Pharma Group (HK). These statements are based on expectations and assumptions about the current available information and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such statements. Risks and uncertainties include domestic and international macroeconomic conditions such as the overall market situation and changes in the interest rate or the currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties are especially applicable to the forward-looking statement related to the products. Risks and uncertainties related to the products include but are not limited to completion and termination of clinical trials; regulatory approvals; statements and concerns regarding product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcomes of major litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes in laws and regulations. In addition, there are manufacturing and marketing risks for existing products, including but not limited to inability to meet demand in production capacity, availability of raw materials and entry of competing products into the market, and force majeure. We have no willingness or obligation to update or modify any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events or other circumstances.