China-based Everest Medicines (HKG: 1952) announced the start of construction for a manufacturing plant in Jiashan, Zhejiang province, dedicated to producing its S1P receptor modulator etrasimod (formerly known as velsipity). The project, valued at RMB70 million (USD9.7 million), is expected to produce up to 50 million tablets of etrasimod upon completion, with supply covering mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Production and Market Coverage
The new facility underscores Everest Medicines’ commitment to expanding its production capabilities to meet growing demand. The drug, registered in multiple regions including the United States, European Union, Canada, and others, was licensed from Arena Pharmaceuticals (now a Pfizer subsidiary) in 2017. This agreement granted Everest exclusive rights in Greater China and South Korea.
Regulatory Milestones
A market filing for etrasimod as a treatment for moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis (UC) was accepted by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in December 2024. Additionally, the drug gained access to 45 medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area through the “Hong Kong-Macau Drug and Device Access” policy, enhancing patient access across the region.-Fineline Info & Tech
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