Aficamten Wins China Approval as HCM Drug in Global First for Sanofi

Aficamten Wins China Approval as HCM Drug in Global First for Sanofi

Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) announced that aficamten, a second‑generation cardiac myosin inhibitor, received marketing approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for adult patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (NYHA Class II‑III). The approval marks a “Global First” launch, with China authorizing the drug ahead of the US, EU, and other regions.

Regulatory Milestone

ItemDetails
Approval Date17 Dec 2025
AgencyNMPA (China)
ProductAficamten tablets
IndicationSymptomatic obstructive HCM (NYHA Class II‑III)
InnovationFirst‑in‑class second‑generation cardiac myosin inhibitor
Global StatusChina approval precedes US, EU, and other regions
Guideline SupportRecommended in 2025 Chinese Guidelines for Comprehensive Management of Cardiomyopathy

Drug Profile & Mechanism

AttributeAficamtenCompetitive Context
MechanismCardiac myosin inhibitor; blocks force‑producing cross‑bridge formationDirectly reduces myocardial hypercontractility
PharmacologyHalf‑life 3–4 days; optimal dose reached in 8 weeksFaster titration vs. first‑generation agents (e.g., mavacamten)
DeveloperDiscovered and developed globally by CytokineticsLicensed to Jixing Pharma (July 2020), acquired by Sanofi (Dec 2024)
AdministrationOral tablets (patient‑convenient)Addresses compliance barriers of injectable therapies
DifferentiationBest‑in‑class potential with improved PK/PD profileLower off‑target effects, enhanced safety margin

Development & Commercialization Chain

DateEvent
July 2020Jixing Pharma licenses aficamten from Cytokinetics for Greater China
Dec 2024Sanofi acquires Jixing’s exclusive rights for aficamten in Greater China
Dec 2025NMPA approves aficamten for obstructive HCM (Global First launch)
Expected US/EURegulatory filings under review; approvals anticipated 2026‑2027

Market Opportunity

MetricValueContext
China HCM Prevalence~300,000 patients (2025)~70% have obstructive phenotype
China HCM Market¥2‑3 billion (≈ US$280‑420 M)Growing diagnosis rate; limited targeted therapies
Aficamten Peak Sales¥1.5‑2.0 billion (≈ US$210‑280 M) by 203040‑50% share of eligible obstructive HCM patients
Global HCM Market$1.2 billion (2025)Projected $2.5 billion by 2030 with new agents
Pricing StrategyPremium oral therapy pricingJustified by efficacy and faster titration

Strategic Implications

  • For Sanofi: Global First launch in China demonstrates execution capability; aficamten strengthens cardiovascular franchise beyond cholesterol/PCKS9; positions for first‑mover advantage in HCM before US/EU competition.
  • For Patients: Oral, rapid‑titration therapy reduces treatment burden; 8‑week dose optimization vs. 12‑18 weeks for competitors; guideline endorsement facilitates reimbursement and adoption.
  • For Market: China‑first approval signals regulatory sophistication; second‑generation myosin inhibitor class could expand to non‑obstructive HCM and HFpEF; Sanofi’s acquisition validates Cytokinetics’ platform for additional indications.

Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding aficamten’s commercial rollout, global approvals, and market penetration. Actual results may differ due to regulatory feedback, competitive dynamics, or pricing negotiations.-Fineline Info & Tech