Description
By 2017, there were over 5 million rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and over 4 million ankylosing spondylitis patients in China. As the incidence of Crohn's disease rises in recent years, over 100,000 people in China suffer from this disease every year.
Infliximab is a human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody that works against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). By identifying, binding and blocking TNF-α, the drug reduces the inflammations caused by TNF-α, relieves symptoms, and inhibits joint tissue damages and bone erosion.
Developed by Johnson & Johnson, in Oct. 1998, Infliximab was first launched in the trade name of Remicade in the U.S. for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease.
On Sept. 1, 2007, Xi'an Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., a Chinese subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced the launch of Remicade in China. Infliximab has been approved by the CFDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease.
By Oct. 2018, China's Infliximab market is monopolized by Remicade imported by Xi'an Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. In 2017, the sales value of Infliximab was about CNY 167 million in China.
According to CRI, the sales value has been increasing since Infliximab came into the Chinese market. However, high prices make the drug unaffordable for many low-income patients. In 2017, Infliximab was included in the List of Medicines Covered by National Basic Medical Insurance, which will drive up the sales value.

Topics Covered:
- Situation of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease in China
- Sales of Infliximab in China
- Prices of Infliximab in China
- Forecast on China's Infliximab market from 2018 to 2022