I read a lot, and in particular have google news send notices to my email about new successful Clinical Trials in Phase 2 and 3 etc. To an extent I do this because I like to technically analyze stock charts, and want a jump on some possibly good investments.
My reason for this post is not to tout a stock; instead, it is because I want to share information with our group on new CLL medications that are making excellent progress. In particular the article is mentioning that these two medications are likely to be huge competitors to Imbruvica (Imbrutinib)
Both of the medications mentioned in the article are still in Clinical Trials, and thus not available now, so I doubt the full disclosure on side effects are not even out yet. I simply felt it was good for our members to know that new and possibly exciting options are on the horizon.
Acalabrutinib - Calquence has recently been considered by NICE in Uk for routine use and was available as part of an access scheme in UK for patients because of covid but, yes, Zanubrutinib is still in trials.
Zanubrutinib is possible to get on compassionate bases in US. I know of someone who had AF after being on Acalabrutinib and is now on Zanubrutinib with no AF. Patient of Dr. Forman. I am checking it out if it would be possible to get in Canada with no luck so far.Dana
There are now competing drugs for all targeted CLL therapies, either in clinical trials or approved, with BTK inhibitors the most contested. See my post on BTK inhibitors and my later reply on BCL-2, PI3-K and anti-CD20 drugs here:
Unfortunately, this additional competition doesn't necessarily seem to result in lower prices, if the recent price increases for Ibrutinib, with Acalabrutinib priced higher than Ibrutinib are a guide*, but importantly, it does mean that:-
1) For BTKi drugs, we may be able to switch to an alternative non-covalent bonding drug if we develop resistance to the approved BTKi drugs Ibrutinib and Acalabrutinib
2) We may be able to switch to a drug in the same class which causes us less side effects or adverse events. For example, Acalabrutinib and Zanubrutinib have lower and slightly different side effect profiles that Ibrutinib, which importantly include a lower cardiovascular event risks.
Neil
*BeiGene is pricing Brukinsa at the whole sale acquisition price of $12,935 for a 30-day supply, a company spokesperson told FiercePharma. That comes on par with Imbruvica tablets' current tag but below Calquence's around $14,000: fiercepharma.com/marketing/...
Another six years and the US patent on Ibrutinib for CLL expires pharmacompass.com/patent-ex.... That should bring down the price of market leader Ibrutinib and with it BTKi competitors that don't show a clear advantage.
In theory the same could happen if long term PFS/ OS data for BTKi drugs start to look shaky, which would be a surprise.
Then again, the prescription drugs market in the USA seems to suffer from a chronic shortfall in price competition ft.com/content/e92dbf94-d9a...
Pharmaceutical patents have been extended in Australia as part of the US/Australian Free Trade agreement and were not to Australia's advantage as marketed. From 2013, with my emphasis:-
"Australia's enthusiastic approach to extending the life of pharmaceutical patents has cost the economy “billions of dollars” an independent review has found.
Originally 14 years, then 16 years and now the 20 years enshrined in the US Australia Free Trade Agreement, the review finds the extensions to the standard life of drug patents have been made “without careful regard to whether this was in our own economic interest”.
Justified at the time a measures to “encourage the development of the pharmaceutical products industry in Australia” the review finds instead they've suppressed the development of a generic drugs industry and cost the government $200 million per year by slowing the entry of cheap generic drugs into the pharmaceutical benefits scheme."
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Frivolous non-medical question! 
New to Site Imbruvica & Rituxan how are they tolerated together.
CLL and medical insurance in Canada
Comments/ replies on individual medical results
