Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche (SWX: ROG) has entered into a partnership with China-based China Resource Medicine Commercial Holdings Ltd to jointly promote the anti-influenza drug Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) in China. Under the agreement, Roche will continue to handle channel promotion for the drug in major hospitals, while CR Medicine Commercial will be responsible for promotion in online and offline retail markets, as well as some downstream markets. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.
Public Education Initiative with Baidu
In addition to the partnership, Roche, CR Medicine, and Baidu have launched the Baidu Influenza A Public Education Topic. This initiative aims to raise awareness about influenza by combining big data technology with disease public education, enhancing public understanding and prevention measures.
Background on Xofluza
Xofluza is a first-in-class single-dose oral influenza drug co-developed by Japanese firm Shionogi & Co., Ltd. It received market approval in the United States in October 2018 to treat acute influenza patients without complications aged 12 years and above. The drug expanded its indication in December 2019 to include influenza populations aged 12 years and older with high complication risks. In China, Xofluza was filed for marketing in June 2020, included on the third batch of clinically urgently needed drugs approved overseas in October 2020, and obtained priority review status one month later. It was approved in April 2021 to treat acute influenza patients without complications aged 12 years and above, including those with high complication risks, and was included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) eight months after approval.-Fineline Info & Tech
