Sanofi’s Dupixent sales skyrocket after expanded indication

It has shown external growth of KRW 8 billion in 2019 → KRW 143.1 billion in 2023…a 1688% growth in four years

Due to Dupixent’s wide range of effectiveness and efficacy, including asthma and atopic dermatitis

Novartis’ Xolair has shown a steep growth of KRW 5 billion → KRW 21.1 billion during the same period

Cinqair, Dupixent, Xolair, and Fasenra (clockwise from top-left).

Sanofi-aventis Korea’s Dupixent (dupilumab) has accomplished outstanding external growth in the market for asthma biologic treatments.

 

Based on pharmaceutical drug sales performance, Dupixent generated sales of KRW 143.1 billion last year.

 

It has been ranked as the top-selling drug for the past five years.

 

Dupixent sales were around KRW 8 billion in 2019 but have grown 1688% in four years.

 

Dupixent secured its position as the leading product in the market by having a wider range of indications than its competitors.

 

It has been approved for efficacy and effectiveness in type 2 inflammatory asthma, severe eosinophilic asthma, corticosteroid-dependent asthma, and atopic dermatitis.

 

Among biologic asthma therapies, it offers the most treatment options.

 

Notably, prurigo nodularis is related to type 2 inflammatory diseases, including atopy and asthma, and almost half of the patients with prurigo nodularis also have atopic diseases.

 

Dupixent is the only biologic to target this disease.

 

Novartis’ Xolair (omalizumab) ranked second and generated KRW 5.0 billion, KRW 6.1 billion, KRW 11.6 billion, KRW 15.7 billion, and KRW 21.1 in the last five years.

 

Xolair has also consistently shown an upward trend in the sales curve.

 

According to analysis, it is due to Xolair’s wide range of approved indications, such as allergic asthma, chronic sinusitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria.

 

Cinqair (reslizumab), which followed Xolair, generated approximately KRW 1.6 billion in sales last year.

 

GSK’s Nucala (mepolizumab) and AstraZeneca’s Fasenra (benralizumab) have each shown performances in 2023, approximately KRW 700 million and KRW 400 million, respectively.

 

Currently, Cinqair, Nucala, and Fasenra have indications for severe eosinophilic asthma only.

 

Asthma treatment sales performances in the market (Nucala, Dupixent, Cinqair, Xolair, and Fasenra).

According to South Korea’s asthma treatment guidelines, low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and formoterol are recommended as the first-line asthma treatment.

 

When short-acting beta agonists (SABA) are used as an alternative strategy, low-dose ICS is combined.

 

Therapies recommended in second-to-fourth-line treatment include ICS plus leukotriene receptor antagonist or ICS plus beta 2 agonist.

 

Fifth-line treatment involves tiotropium, anti-IgE agents (omalizumab), anti-IL/5R agents (mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab), or anti-IL-4R agents (dupilumab).

 

However, reimbursement does not cover combination therapies using biologics, such as Xolair, Nucala, and Cinqair, in treating severe asthma patients.