Everest Medicines Launches VELSIPITY® in China, Capitalizing on Growing UC Market
Event summary
- Everest Medicines launched VELSIPITY® (etrasimod arginine tablets) in Mainland China on March 9, 2026, following NMPA approval on February 2, 2026.
- The first prescription for VELSIPITY® was issued at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.
- The drug is indicated for adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapies or biologics.
- Everest Medicines localized production of VELSIPITY® at its Jiashan manufacturing site in March 2025.
The big picture
The launch of VELSIPITY® in China represents a significant expansion for Everest Medicines, tapping into a rapidly growing UC market projected to reach 1.5 million patients by 2031. The drug’s approval and rapid initial prescription highlight Everest’s ability to navigate China’s regulatory landscape and leverage the Greater Bay Area transit policy. This success underscores the increasing demand for advanced therapies in China, particularly for chronic and complex conditions like UC, and positions Everest to benefit from the broader trend of healthcare innovation in the region.
What we're watching
- Reimbursement
- The pace at which Everest Medicines secures inclusion of VELSIPITY® on the National Reimbursement Drug List will be a key determinant of market penetration and patient access in China.
- Adoption
- How quickly VELSIPITY® is integrated into routine clinical practice, beyond the initial launch hospitals, will reflect physician acceptance and patient demand.
- Competition
- The emergence of biosimilar competitors or novel therapies for UC will likely pressure Everest Medicines to demonstrate continued value and differentiation for VELSIPITY®.
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