China-based Lee’s Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd (HKG: 0950) subsidiary, Zhaoke Ophthalmology Ltd (HKG: 6622), has announced that it has received market approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its generic versions of Pfizer’s Xalatan (latanoprost), Novartis/ Alcon’s Travatan (travoprost), and Novartis/ Alcon’s Duotrav (travoprost, timolol). All three generic drugs are deemed to have passed the generic quality consistency evaluation (GQCE).
Generic Versions of Prostaglandin Analogues and Combination Therapy
Xalatan and Travatan are both prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) used in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and high intraocular pressure. Duotrav combines travoprost, a prostaglandin analogue, with timolol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent (beta-blocker), to reduce intraocular pressure in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or high intraocular pressure.
Addressing the High Prevalence of Glaucoma in China
China bears the highest number of glaucoma patients globally, accounting for approximately one-fourth of all glaucoma cases. The majority of these cases are primary glaucoma, which can be categorized into open-angle glaucoma and angle closure glaucoma. In China, approximately 40% of primary glaucoma cases are open-angle glaucoma. The NMPA’s approval of these generic drugs is a significant step towards increasing access to cost-effective treatments for the large patient population affected by glaucoma in the country.-Fineline Info & Tech
