BRIEF—China NMPA listing approvals for Pfizer and BMS

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has recently approved the listing of the Class 1 innovative drug ritlecitinib under the trade name Lefenox, applied for by US pharma giant Pfizer through the priority review process.

This drug is suitable for adolescents and adults with severe alopecia areata aged 12 years and above.

Ritlecitinib is a kinase inhibitor that irreversibly inhibits the JAK3 and tyrosine kinase families.

The launch of this drug will provide a new treatment option for patients with severe alopecia areata.

It has been approved in the USA and Europe under the trade name Litfulo.

BMS’ plaque psoriasis drug also listed

The NMPA also approved the listing of the Class 1 innovative drug deuterium colesicitinib, under the trade name Sondido, applied for by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The drug is indicated for adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic treatment or phototherapy.

Deuterium colesicitinib is a tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor. The launch of this drug will provide a new treatment option for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.