JW Jungwoo Pharmaceutical, "Antibody Treatment 'Actemra' Covered by Health Insurance for COVID-19 Treatment"

Ministry of Health and Welfare Expands Actemra Coverage for COVID-19 Treatment
From March 1, Coverage Recognized for Severe Patients Aged 2 and Above Requiring Oxygen Therapy

Actemra.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The antibody therapeutic agent "Actemra" (generic name: tocilizumab), which has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, will have its insurance coverage expanded for the treatment of COVID-19.

JW Pharmaceutical announced on the 25th that, according to the partial amendment of the "Detailed Standards and Methods for Application of Medical Care Benefits (Drugs)" notice administratively announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the insurance coverage for Actemra will be expanded for the purpose of treating COVID-19.

The new amendment, effective from the 1st of next month, reflects overseas approval statuses such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization, clinical research literature, and opinions from related academic societies, resulting in changes to the criteria. According to the amendment, insurance benefits will be recognized for administration of Actemra injection (excluding pre-filled syringes) beyond the existing approved indications to COVID-19 patients aged 2 years and older.

Specifically, this applies to patients who have been admitted to an intensive care unit or an equivalent ward within 48 hours and require respiratory treatment of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or higher, or patients who, despite receiving steroid therapy and low-flow oxygen therapy, rapidly deteriorate to a condition requiring respiratory treatment of HFNC or higher.

A JW Pharmaceutical official stated, "Considering the recent surge in Omicron variant cases leading to an increase in critically ill patients and deaths, we have been closely consulting with health authorities to expand insurance coverage for Actemra," and added, "We are also swiftly proceeding with the Emergency Use Authorization with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to add overseas manufacturers for increasing the supply of domestically distributed products."

Actemra is an antibody therapeutic agent that inhibits the binding of IL-6, a protein that causes inflammation in the body, and its receptor, treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is effective in suppressing cytokine storms, a complication caused by an excessive immune response, and global clinical trials have shown that it reduces mortality and shortens hospitalization time in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.

JW Pharmaceutical acquired the domestic development and exclusive sales rights for Actemra from Chugai Pharmaceutical, a member of the Roche Group, in 2009, and after conducting Phase 3 clinical trials on rheumatoid arthritis patients, has been marketing the drug since 2013.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.