SHANGHAI, May 21 (Reuters) – Johnson & Johnson’s nipocalimab treatment for a type of muscle-weakening disorder received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration, the U.S. drugmaker said on Thursday on WeChat.
The drug, acquired by J&J through its $6.5 billion buyout of Momenta in 2020, is expected to bring in blockbuster revenue and drive growth, Reuters has reported previously.
It was approved in China to treat patients aged 12 years and older with a form of generalized myasthenia gravis – an immunity-related disorder that weakens the skeletal muscles, especially those in the eyes, mouth, throat and limbs.
J&J has also won approval for the drug in other markets including the U.S., Brazil and Japan.
A spokesperson for J&J did not immediately respond to a request for comment on pricing or when it might launch in China.
In China, other drugmakers with approved generalized myasthenia gravis treatments include Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group, Zai Lab and Argenx SE.
(Reporting by Andrew Silver in Shanghai; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Thomas Derpinghaus)
