Expanded reimbursement criteria for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and related conditions
Clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of Truxima highlighted
Celltrion Pharm announced on the 6th that on the 5th it held the "Truxima Rheumatology Symposium" at the Westin Chosun Seoul Lilac Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, for domestic rheumatology specialists.
Specialists attending the "Truxima Symposium" held on the 5th at The Westin Chosun Seoul Lilac Hall are listening to a lecture. Celltrion Pharm
The symposium was organized to share details of the expanded reimbursement criteria for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and polymyositis/dermatomyositis, which were each approved for health insurance coverage by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in September and October last year, and to present clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of Truxima (rituximab).
The symposium was conducted in two sessions. The first session, which focused on vasculitis, was chaired by Professor Choi Chanbeom of Hanyang University College of Medicine. Professor Kim Hyunsook of Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine introduced the pathophysiological mechanisms of B cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases and the resulting efficacy of B?cell-targeted therapy. She then explained to healthcare professionals the need to expand reimbursement for rituximab, focusing on diseases for which rituximab prescriptions are necessary but not yet reimbursed. Professor Lee Sangwon of Yonsei University College of Medicine shared the latest insights on the treatment of ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) vasculitis and clinical experience with Truxima.
The second session, chaired by Professor Lee Eunyeong of Seoul National University College of Medicine, dealt with myositis. Professor Lee Yeona of Kyung Hee University College of Medicine shared the latest perspectives on the treatment of myositis and explained the efficacy of rituximab use in the course of treating myositis.
Truxima is a biosimilar of the blockbuster antibody drug MabThera (marketed in the United States as Rituxan) and was launched in Korea in February 2017. It has been used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others, and the recent expansion of reimbursement criteria has broadened its prescribing scope.
A Celltrion Pharm official said, "The therapeutic effects of rituximab in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis have been reported through various studies and clinical experience, but reimbursement had been limited," adding, "We hope that this expansion of health insurance coverage will provide better treatment options for healthcare professionals and patients."
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