Chinese HIV drug, Aikening, gets first approval outside China

The Republic of Ecuador has become the first country outside of China to authorise the sale and use of a HIV drug developed in China by Frontier Biotech.

Aikening (Albuvirtide 160mg) is a new long-acting injectable fusion inhibitor designed to be administered once a week. It was first approved by the Chinese State Drug Administration in 2018. The drug will be marketed under the brand name Alfusid in Ecuador and other South American countries.

Albuvirtide is used in combination with other antiretrovirals to treat patients who have not achieved viral suppression with other regimens. The drug is indicated to be effective against most known strains of HIV – including those with drug resistance.

In clinical trials, and practical applications, no drug interactions have been found with the antibacterial, antifungal, anti-tuberculosis and anticancer drugs commonly used in the treatment of patients with advanced HIV. Aikenin is listed in the Liverpool Drug Interactions Database (https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/)

Frontier Biotech says that they are actively working with international partners to obtain marketing authorisations for more than 20 countries across South East Asia, Africa, South America and Europe.