SK Biopharmaceuticals announced on the 26th that prescriptions for its new anti-epileptic drug cenobamate (product name Xcopri, etc.) have begun at major hub hospitals in China under the name Yifurui (翼弗瑞).

The product has been officially launched less than three months after early approval as a new drug in December last year by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as a treatment for focal-onset seizures in adult patients. In particular, cenobamate has entered a full-fledged commercialization phase as initial prescriptions were made simultaneously at major hospitals across China.

Cenobamate is an innovative new drug independently developed by SK Biopharmaceuticals, while development and commercialization in China are being handled by Ignis Therapeutics, a joint venture established with global investment firm 6 Dimensions Capital. In 2021, SK Biopharmaceuticals signed a partnership with Ignis covering rights in China and the overall regulatory process for key pipelines including cenobamate and solriamfetol (Chinese name Yilangqing). The companies have continued to collaborate across clinical development and regulatory affairs.

Last year, the Chinese Medical Association included cenobamate in its epilepsy treatment guidelines, a development seen as recognition in China of the clinical value of cenobamate’s therapeutic efficacy. In addition, to accelerate product rollout, Ignis entered into a strategic collaboration in February last year with Sinopharm, China’s largest pharmaceutical distribution company, and prepared a distribution network covering hospitals and pharmacies nationwide.

SK Biopharmaceuticals holds approximately 32.8% of the shares in the joint venture Ignis. Based on this commercialization achievement, the company expects cenobamate to gain a solid foothold in the Chinese market and anticipates an increase in Ignis’s corporate value.

Eileen Long, CEO of Ignis Therapeutics, stated, “The first prescriptions of cenobamate in China mark a significant milestone in our commercialization strategy and will be an important turning point in shifting the goal of epilepsy treatment in China from seizure control to seizure freedom,” adding, “We will do our utmost to ensure that this innovative new drug can respond swiftly to local demand, supported by a stable local supply chain.”

Lee Dong-hoon, CEO of SK Biopharmaceuticals, said, “The launch and initiation of prescriptions in China are the result of long-term collaboration between SK Biopharmaceuticals and Ignis, and will serve as an important milestone for the global expansion of cenobamate,” and added, “Starting with China, we will strengthen cooperation with partners in each region to accelerate entry into Northeast Asian markets such as Korea and Japan and remain dedicated to providing innovative therapeutic options.”

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