BRIEF—Cancer news from China and Taiwan

Roche has cut the price by more than 50% for Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) in China, hoping to get it into the 2022 national drug reimbursement list.

The ADC monoclonal antibody (MAb), which was approved in China in early 2020 to treat HER2 positive breast cancer, was initially priced at 19,282 renminbi/100mg ($3031.2) and 27,633/ renminbi160mg.

Roche failed to reach a deal with Chinese authorities to get the drug covered by the NDRL in 2020, and Kadcyla was not even shortlisted for the 2021 price negotiation. China usually starts such negotiations in the late months of the year.

Ever Supreme GDT therapy approval

Taichung city-based biotech Ever Supreme has gained approval in Taiwan for its autologous gamma delta T cell therapy to treat stage IV solid tumors.

This is also the island's first approved GDT therapy.

The company is known for cell therapy manufacturing and has signed manufacturing contracts with 22 hospitals in Taiwan.

Once Taiwan approves the use of allogeneic cell therapies, which is expected to be in 2022, the company plans to apply for the approval for its allogeneic GDT therapy to treat solid tumors.