China Medical System Holdings (CMS; HKG: 0867) has announced that the first prescriptions have been issued in China for its methylthioninium enteric coated sustained-release tablets. These tablets are designed to enhance the visualization of colorectal lesions in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy screening or monitoring.
Methylthioninium’s Multi-Matrix Technology and Mechanism
Methylthioninium utilizes a multi-matrix (MMX) patent technology, which enables the direct delivery of active substances to the colon and ensures local controlled release. As an enhancer dye, methylthioninium can significantly increase the contrast between colorectal lesions and healthy mucosa, aiding in the detection and monitoring of colorectal conditions during colonoscopies.
Regulatory Approvals and Licensing Agreements
Methylthioninium was approved for marketing in the European Union in August 2020 under the trade name Lumeblue. CMS secured a licensing deal with Cosmo Pharmaceuticals NV (FRA: C43) in December 2020, granting them exclusive rights to the drug. The marketing nod in China was obtained in June this year, marking a significant expansion of the drug’s availability for patients in need of improved colonoscopy visualization.-Fineline Info & Tech
