China-based Brii Biosciences Ltd (HKG: 2137) announced a partnership with Huarun Medicine Business Group International Trade Co., Ltd to accelerate the commercialization of its anti-COVID-19 antibody cocktail, BRII-196 plus BRII-198 (amubarvimab/romlusevimab), in China. The collaboration will focus on warehousing, channel distribution, regional access, and other innovative aspects, though financial details were not disclosed.
Drug Profile and Approvals
Amubarvimab and romlusevimab are non-competing SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal neutralizing antibodies designed to reduce the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement and extend plasma half-lives for a more durable treatment effect. The combination was approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in December 2021 for adults and pediatric patients (ages 12–17, ≥40 kg) with mild or normal COVID-19 at high risk of severe progression. The pediatric indication received conditional approval.
Regulatory and Reimbursement Updates
In March 2022, China’s National Health Commission included the antibody cocktail in its COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (9th Pilot Edition). Later that month, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) announced that provincial health insurance funds would reimburse the treatment.-Fineline Info & Tech
