Tillotts Pharma AG, part of the Japanese Zeria Group, is pleased to announce the recent launch of Asacol® 800 mg tablets (mesalazine) as first-line treatment for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) in the People’s Republic of China (“China”).

After announcing the successful partnership of Tillotts and Menarini in October 2019, and regulatory approval of Asacol® 800 mg in April 2020, the launch of the tablets represents a major milestone for both companies. Bringing Asacol® to the market began several years ago with the conduct of two Phase III studies in the local population. The introduction of this high strength mesalazine tablet formulation to the Chinese market is expected to optimise the therapeutic options of patients living with UC in China.

Mattias Norrman, Chief Operations Officer at Tillotts, said, “We are very excited that we have now launched Asacol in China and made it available to Chinese patients. This has been achieved through the close partnership between Tillotts and Menarini and the efforts and continued dedication of the teams involved. Providing the highest strength mesalazine tablet in the Chinese market may help improve patient adherence to chronic ulcerative colitis treatment. It is always a great satisfaction to ensure that UC patients around the world receive new first-line treatment opportunities.”

Mattias Norrman added, “The commercial launch of Asacol® tablets will bring new treatment options in tablet formulation to clinicians. There is a substantial need for new treatment options in UC. According to statistics from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that by 2025, the number of patients in China with IBD; a type of chronic non-specific intestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, will reach 1.5 million[1].”