By Fineline Cube 
US-based Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD; NYSE: MRK) announced the commercial launch of its hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, Welireg (belzutifan), in China. This marks a significant step in expanding treatment options for patients with rare genetic disorders.
Indications and Usage
Welireg is approved for the treatment of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-related renal cell carcinoma (RCC), central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastoma, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) that does not require immediate surgical intervention. VHL syndrome, also known as VHL disease, is a rare genetic disorder that causes the development of multiple benign and malignant tumors throughout the body. Key features of the condition include retinal angiomas, hemangioblastomas of the cerebellum and spinal cord, and RCCs.
First HIF-2α Inhibitor in China
Welireg is the first and currently only HIF-2α inhibitor approved in China. This approval underscores MSD’s commitment to bringing innovative treatments to patients with rare and complex conditions.-Fineline Info & Tech