China-based HeNan Genuine Biotech Co., Ltd has set the price of its COVID-19 therapy azvudine at no more than RMB300 (USD44.41) per bottle, according to Henan Daily, a local media outlet. Each bottle contains 35 pieces, with each tablet weighing 1mg.
Drug Background
Azvudine is a Category 1 anti-HIV/AIDS drug targeting RNA reverse transcriptase. It was conditionally approved for marketing in China in July 2021 to treat adult HIV-1-infected patients with high viral loads, in combination with other reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The drug received conditional approval to treat ordinary COVID-19 adult patients in July this year. Fosun Pharma holds the exclusive commercialization rights to azvudine for COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS treatments in certain territories.
Price Adjustment
Previously, in March 2022, azvudine was listed on the Guangdong Medicine Exchange for online procurement at RMB59.96 (USD8.88) per tablet (35 pieces per bottle, 3mg per tablet), when the drug was only available for HIV infection treatment. The recent price decrease is likely a strategic move to prepare for upcoming medical insurance negotiations.-Fineline Info & Tech
