Description
Epoetin Alfa refers to erythropoietin (EPO). EPO in the human body is a hormone-like substance secreted by the kidneys and liver to promote erythropoiesis. The indications for EPO approved in China are renal anemia, chemotherapy-induced anemia, and perioperative erythrocyte mobilization.
In Jun. 1989, FDA-approved Epoetin Alfa was launched in the U.S. in the trade name of “Epogen”. It is sold in over 40 countries nowadays.
According to CRI, in 2017, the sales value of Epoetin Alfa was about CNY 546 million in China. Domestic enterprises captured over 90% market share, which formed a market pattern dominated by domestic EPO. CRI’s market research shows that, in recent years, Shenyang Sunshine Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.’s EPIAO takes up more than half of the Chinese Epoetin Alfa market. Other major market players include Shenzhen SCIPROGEN Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shandong Kexing Bioproducts Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Chemo Wanbang Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
EPO is no longer as expensive as it was 10 years ago as manufacturing technique improves, costs decline and Chinese residents’ affordability increases. More than 10% Chinese adults suffer from chronic kidney disease. The total number of chronic kidney disease patients has exceeded 140 million, and the incidence is still rising. If 1% of the patients eventually get end-stage renal disease, there will be over 1 million dialysis patients in China. In theory, if a kidney dialysis patient uses 1 ampoule of EPO every 3 days, the annual consumption of EPO injections in Chinese hospitals will be at least 100 million ampoules. However, many patients give up using EPO to alleviate anemia because they cannot afford EPO with their humble income.
In China, the application of EPO in chemotherapy is far below a reasonable level, for tumor patients spend most of their money on antitumor surgeries and drugs. As an adjuvant drug, EPO won’t be accepted until antitumor surgeries and drugs are paid up. Therefore, the EPO market inevitably grows more slowly than antitumor drug market.
The market size of Epoetin Alfa will continue to grow in China from 2018 to 2022 with the economic development and the increase of residents’ income.
Topics Covered:
– Development environment of Epoetin Alfa in China
– Demand for Epoetin Alfa in China
– Major Epoetin Alfa Manufacturers in China
– Prices of Epoetin Alfa in China
– Prospects of Chinese Epoetin Alfa Market
