Everest Medicines Unveils VELSIPITY® in the Greater Bay Area: A New Hope for Mainland China's Ulcerative Colitis Patients

Everest Medicines, a leading biopharmaceutical company, has made a significant stride in the Asian ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment landscape with the launch of VELSIPITY® in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. This innovative therapy, approved by the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, is now available in designated hospitals, marking a new era for patients suffering from moderately to severely active UC in mainland China.

VELSIPITY®, an oral treatment taken once daily, has shown promising results in clinical trials. In a multi-center Phase 3 study in Asia, etrasimod (VELSIPITY®) demonstrated positive results in both induction and maintenance phases, with good safety and convenience of once-daily oral administration. At week 12, the treatment differences between the etrasimod group and the placebo group in clinical remission rate, endoscopic improvement rate, and clinical response rate reached 20.4%, 28.6%, and 32.0%, respectively. These results provide a solid scientific basis for the broad application of VELSIPITY® in clinical practice.

The approval of VELSIPITY® in the Greater Bay Area significantly expands Everest Medicines' market reach, as it can now be used in four designated hospitals, with plans for wider introduction. This move accelerates access to this advanced therapy in mainland China, offering a new option for patients with moderately to severely active UC. By 2030, China's UC patient population is expected to more than double, reaching approximately 1 million, indicating a substantial unmet need for innovative therapies. Everest Medicines' commitment to expeditiously deliver innovative therapies to patients positions it well to capture a larger share of the Asian ulcerative colitis treatment market.



VELSIPITY®'s approval in the Greater Bay Area also enhances Everest Medicines' competitive position in the biopharmaceutical market. As the first and only advanced oral UC therapy approved for use in patients 16 years of age or older in the EU, VELSIPITY® offers a unique advantage over competitors. With positive topline data results in both induction and maintenance treatment periods, and a convenient once-daily oral administration, VELSIPITY® provides a solid scientific basis for its wide application in clinical practice. Everest Medicines' commitment to expeditiously bring innovative therapies to patients further strengthens its competitive edge.

The approval of VELSIPITY® in the Greater Bay Area marks a significant milestone for Everest Medicines, as it expands the drug's reach to mainland China patients. With the launch in the Greater Bay Area, Everest Medicines can now tap into a larger market, potentially boosting its revenue growth. The drug's positive clinical trial results and the growing prevalence of ulcerative colitis in China (expected to reach 1 million patients by 2030) further strengthen its commercial prospects. However, the company's financial performance will also depend on factors like pricing strategy, competition, and regulatory hurdles in other Asian markets.

In conclusion, Everest Medicines' launch of VELSIPITY® in the Greater Bay Area is a strategic move that addresses the growing unmet need for innovative UC therapies in mainland China. With its promising clinical results and competitive advantages, VELSIPITY® is poised to capture a significant share of the Asian ulcerative colitis treatment market. As Everest Medicines continues to expand its reach and deliver innovative therapies to patients, investors can expect the company to play a crucial role in shaping the future of biopharmaceuticals in Asia.