"Cibinqo secures solid data in atopic dermatitis"

raises expectations on switching treatments and reimbursement

Pfizer Korea holds press conference on the reimbursement and listing of Cibinqo

Drug demonstrated rapid improvement of itch through 6 phase III trials

Direct comparison with Dupixent… Effective in patients who did not respond to Dupixent

'Cibinqo (abrocitinib),' the third JAK inhibitor to be introduced for atopic dermatitis in Korea, will be reimbursed starting this month.

 

Healthcare professionals have expressed high expectations for Cibinqo, as the drug has accumulated robust data in treating severe atopic dermatitis.

 

On the 11th, the Korean pharmaceutical company Hanmi Pharmaceutical held a press conference to celebrate the reimbursement of Cibinqo, an oral atopic dermatitis treatment, at the Seoul Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

 

Professor Yong-Hyun Jang of the Department of Dermatology at Kyungpook National University Hospital explained the background and significance of Cinbinqo's reimbursement for atopic dermatitis in Korea.

 

Professor Yong-Hyun Jang of the Department of Dermatology at Kyungpook National University Hospital is presenting at the press conference celebrating the reimbursement and listing of Cibinqo

Cibinqo is a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor that was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in November 2021.

 

It is also the 4th JAK inhibitor in Korea and 2nd JAK class treatment to be introduced by Pfizer.

 

Unlike Xeljanz, which is used only for ulcerative colitis, Cibinqo can also be used for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis.

 

Cibinqo was granted reimbursement this month.

 

The 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg doses of Cibinqo were listed at KRW 11,087, 17,739, and 25,942 respectively.

 

The ceiling price is known to be set at 88% of the calculated average price of its substitutes.

 

With the listing of Cibinqo, patients with severe atopic dermatitis now have a much wider range of new treatment options.

 

In addition to the biological agent ‘Dupixent’ that was first introduced, 3 JAK inhibitors – the already-reimbursed Olumiant (baricitinib) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib), and Cibinqo – are now available for use in Korea.

 

Among these treatments, Dupixent, Rinvoq, and Cibinqo can be used in adolescent patients aged 12 and above.

 

Although being a latecomer, Cibinqo received recognition for having acquired solid data in atopic dermatitis from various clinical trials.

 

6 Phase III clinical trials, including JADE DARE, JADE COMPARE, and JADE TEEN, have been conducted.

 

Cibinqo was the first drug that attempted to directly compare (head-to-head) its efficacy and safety with the biological agent Dupixent, and Cinbinqo was observed for the possibility of deterioration upon dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment after initial response, and evaluated on its ability to recover from the reaction.

 

By confirming the drug’s effect on patients that showed no response to Dupixent, the company accumulated grounds for patients to switch to Cibinqo.

 

The rapid improvement of itch, which was observed in various clinical trials of Cibinqo, is expected to significantly improve patient’s quality of life.

 

Jang explained, "Itch is a very important symptom in atopic dermatitis.

 

It causes patients to scratch their skin, weakens the skin barrier, and exacerbates inflammation as a secondary reaction.

 

Cibinqo showed a rapid and significant improvement in itch from the day after initial administration, increasing patients' quality of life.

 

Also, more patients reached the target response rate for the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI).

 

We believe Cibinqo will benefit patients who are suffering from severe itch." Cibinqo has also demonstrated additional benefits in patients who did not respond to Dupixent.

 

The JADE EXTEND study investigated the effect of switching to Cibinqo from Dupixent in patients who received Dupixent in the JADE COMPARE study.

 

The patients were further divided into those that responded to Dupixent and those that didn’t respond to Dupixent.

 

In the arm that did not respond to Dupixent, 80% achieved EASI-75 (75% improvement based on the Eczema Area and Severity Index).

 

Also, 77% achieved an improvement of 4 points or more on the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS).

 

This is expected to serve as evidence when companies of JAK inhibitors apply for reimbursement extensions to cover patients switching from Dupixent.

 

Jang stated, "Unlike other JAK inhibitors, Cibinqo holds significance as it conducted various studies solely in the field of atopic dermatitis, which is significant.

 

With the basis for switching treatments established, we expect reimbursement extensions to follow in the near future.

 

We are currently collecting various opinions in academia as well.”