The second generation targeted drug developed by Chugai Pharmaceutical for ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer patients has been confirmed by the National Cancer Information Network (NCCN) in empirical medicine, and it has also won the Bronze Medal for Prescription Drugs in the 2019 National Biotechnology Medical Quality Award. Academician of the Academia Sinica Mr. Peng highly praised the milestone. The majority of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients are female, young, and have no history of smoking. In addition to treating primary lung cancer, 60% of them face brain metastasis. The second generation targeted drug of Chguai is an oral ALK inhibitor. It selectively inhibits ALK activation to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce cancer cell death. The most important thing is to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Regardless of whether the patient has previously merged, the drug can delay brain metastasis speed, effectively control side effects, and improve the quality of life of patients. This targeted drug was approved as a second-line drug for health insurance in November 2017, and was included in a first-line drug for health insurance on December 1, 2019. Unlikely big pharma companies, Chugai Pharmaceutical obtains a small business size in Taiwan, but it still set up Clinical Development department to constantly extend the drug research and development scope from headquarter, actively participate in various global programs, making Taiwan become an essential partner when conducting global clinical trials. Chugai Pharma Taiwan commits to the development of innovative products to accelerate the time to market of new drugs in Taiwan.
