Alecensa prepares to solidify its lead in lung cancer mkt

Shows effect in early-stage lung cancer… leads targeted anticancer treatment market for lung cancer in Korea

Alecensa posted KRW 35 billion in sales last year... Alunbrig comes in second with KRW 13.6 billion

Xalkori’s sales fell below KRW 10 billion... down 13.1% year-on-year

Alecensa is showing a strong position in the targeted therapy market for ALK-positive lung cancer in Korea.

 

Last year, Alecensa generated KRW 34.9 billion in sales, far outpacing the runner-up, Takeda Alunbrig's KRW 13.6 billion.

 

As the only ALK-targeted therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in early-stage lung cancer, Alecensa is likely to continue its lead in the market for the foreseeable future.

 

According to the market institution IQVIA on the 22nd, Alecensa sold KRW 34.9 billion last year, up 0.5% from KRW 34.7 billion in 2022.

 

Alecensa's sales have been on a steady rise since surpassing KRW 5 billion in Q3 2019 and have posted average quarterly sales of over KRW 8 billion since 2021.

 

Alecensa is a second-generation ALK-positive targeted therapy developed by Roche.

 

Targeted therapies for ALK-positive cancer are classified into 3 categories: first-generation drugs like Pfizer’s Xalkori; second-generation drugs like Roche’s Alecensa and Takeda’s Alunbrig; and third-generation drugs like Pfizer’s Lorviqua.

 

With the possibility rising for Alecensa’s use in early-stage lung cancer, the drug is expected to continue solidifying its lead in the market According to clinical data presented at last year's European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023 (ESMO 2023), Alecensa showed effect as adjuvant chemotherapy.

 

In the clinical trial, Alecensa improved disease-free survival (DFS) over platinum-based chemotherapy.

 

The Alecensa-administered group showed a 76% reduction in recurrence or death and a 78% reduction in the risk of CNS progression or death.

 

Although Alecensa does not yet own an indication for early-stage lung cancer in Korea if it adds the indication, the drug will likely remain the market leader for some time.

 

Takeda's Alunbrig posted sales of KRW 13.6 billion last year, up 23.6% YoY.

 

Alunbrig's sales have been growing steadily since surpassing KRW 2 billion in Q3 2021.

 

Alunbrig's strength is that it can be taken once daily with or without meals.

 

In the case of Alecensa, 4 capsules need to be taken twice daily, for a total of 8 capsules per day.

 

Also, Alunbrig is available in 3 different strengths to help patients find the right dose.

 

Pfizer's Lorviqua generated KRW 11.7 billion in sales last year, a 216.2% increase from 2022.

 

Lorviqua, which was released in the Korean market in Q1 2022, has posted more than KRW 3 billion in sales since Q3 2022 after a level period of KRW 200 million in sales in Q1 and Q2.

 

Lorviqua’s sales rise started in full swing after being granted reimbursement as a second-line treatment for ALK-positive lung cancer in September 2022.

 

Currently, Lorviqua is only available for patients who have failed with the use of Xalkori, Alunbrig, or Alecensa.

 

Pfizer is currently seeking to expand its reimbursement to the first line.

 

On the other hand, Pfizer's Xalkori was the only ALK-targeted therapy to see a sales decline.

 

Xalkori generated KRW 9.9 billion in sales last year, which was a 13.1% YoY decline.

 

After generating KRW 8 billion in sales in Q1 2019, Xalkori’s sales plummeted to KRW 4.8 billion in Q2.

 

The decline in Xalkori sales is related to the release of second- and third-generation targeted therapies.

 

These drugs demonstrated a higher effect with improved safety over Xalkori.

 

Second- and third-generation targeted therapies are said to have lower drug toxicity, fewer adverse events, and better efficacy than first-generation drugs.

 

Also, Second- and third-generation targeted therapies also have the advantage of a greater penetration rate into the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain.