SK Biopharm announced on Thursday that its innovative epilepsy drug, Cenobamate (marketed as Yifurui in China), has officially launched in China, with initial prescriptions being filled at major hospitals across the country.
This milestone comes approximately three months after receiving early approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) last December for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adult patients.
The simultaneous rollout of first prescriptions at key hospitals nationwide signals Cenobamate’s entry into full-scale commercialization in China.
Cenobamate, an innovative drug developed in-house by SK Biopharm, is being developed and commercialized in China by Ignis Therapeutics, a joint venture established with global investment firm 6 Dimensions Capital.
In 2021, SK Biopharm and Ignis formed a partnership covering the rights and regulatory processes for key pipeline drugs, including Cenobamate and Solriamfetol (known as Yirangqing in China), and have worked closely throughout the clinical and regulatory stages.
Cenobamate’s clinical value has already been recognized through its inclusion in the Chinese Medical Association’s epilepsy treatment guidelines last year. To ensure rapid distribution, Ignis formed a strategic collaboration in February with Sinopharm, China’s largest pharmaceutical distributor, establishing a robust nationwide distribution network encompassing hospitals and pharmacies.
With this product launch and the initiation of prescriptions, Ignis’s corporate value is expected to rise. SK Biopharm, which holds approximately 32.8% of Ignis, anticipates this will serve as a crucial foundation for further expansion in the Greater China region.
Lee Dong-hoon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SK Biopharm, stated that the launch and prescription initiation in China represent the culmination of our long-term collaboration with Ignis Therapeutics, marking a significant milestone in Cenobamate’s global expansion. Building on this success in China, it will strengthen partnerships with regional collaborators to accelerate the entry into other Northeast Asian markets, including South Korea and Japan, as it strives to provide innovative treatment options for patients.