China Is Winning Its War On Cancer Faster
And Cheaper Than Everyone ElseDarren.WoonDec 18, 2019 
Gracell
Biotechnology Ltd., a Chinese startup, is trialing an experimental gene
therapy that works to cure cancer faster and cheaper than other market
alternatives, according to Yahoo News.
One of
the most exciting developments in the quest to cure cancer, Chimeric
Antigen Receptor-T cells (CAR-T) supercharge T-cells, the body’s main
defense mechanism, and direct them to latch onto and destroy cancerous
cells. Leukemia
patients who failed to respond to other therapies have shown remission
rates of over 90% within the first two months of treatment in clinical
trials. China,
home to the world’s largest cancer population, is pushing CAR-T harder
than other researchers and drugmakers around the world. While
drug giants Novartis AG and Gilead Sciences Inc. have globally marketed
CAR-T since 2017, it’s expensive and time-consuming. Novartis, a Swiss
company, places a $475,000 price tag on their CAR-T therapy while
California-based Gilead costs $373,000. Yet,
Gracell has developed a process that speeds up the cell production stage
and can churn out cancer-killing immune cells overnight at a price of
$71,000. However,
there is growing concern among researchers that allowing hospitals to
market treatments for a fee could prioritize profit-making over ethical
considerations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has begun prioritizing
regulations in order to combat this scenario and cement the country as a
dominant world power. Commercial CAR-T treatments are expected to be approved in China in the next few years.
|
