BioChem Pharma Launches Lamivudine In China
LAVAL, Que. -- BioChem Pharma Inc. (BCHE) said it has launched Heptodin (lamivudine), an oral antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B, in China.
In a news release, BioChem said China has the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in the world.
It said Heptodin is one of the first Western medicines to be granted a Class 1 drug certificate in China, offering the advantage of manufacturing exclusivity for the product in the treatment of hepatitis B for eight years.
BioChem said lamivudine for hepatitis B is already available in a number of countries. It is known as Zeffix in most countries; in the U.S. it is known as Epivir-HBV and in Canada as Heptovir.
Under agreement, BioChem receives royalties from Glaxo Wellcome PLC (GLX) on sales of its discovery lamivudine for use in both HIV/AIDS (3TC/Epivir/Combivir) and HBV (Zeffix/Epivir-HBV/Heptovir/Heptodin). Glaxo has the right to develop, manufacture and sell lamivudine worldwide, except in Canada, where BioChem and Glaxo have formed a commercialization partnership.
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BioChem: Lamivudine Priced At $1.30/Day In China
MONTREAL -- The hepatitis B drug lamivudine will be priced wholesale at $1.30 a day in China, according to officials at BioChem Pharma Inc. (BCHE) and Glaxo Wellcome PLC (GLX).
As expected, the pricing in China is well below levels in developed nations. In the U.S., for example, the wholesale price of the drug is $3.61 day. Patients there typically pay $4.86 to $4.96 a day, at the retail level.
Initially, patients will have to pay for the drug themselves in China. It will be sold there as Heptodin and carry a retail price of $2.34 a day, a BioChem spokeswoman said. But government programs are expected eventually to help cover patients' costs, according to Glaxo and BioChem officials. The first provincial reimbursements are expected within 15 months, the companies said.
BioChem, which discovered lamivudine, receives royalties from Glaxo Wellcome on sales of the drug.
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