Drug Overview
Yonsa (Churchill Pharmaceuticals) is an oral, ultramicrosize tablet formulation of abiraterone acetate that inhibits 17 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17). The CYP17 family of enzymes catalyze the hydroxylation of intermediates involved in testosterone synthesis, a common driver of prostate cancer genesis and recurrence. Yonsa is made using the SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology, which enables the delivery of abiraterone acetate at double the bioavailability of comparative formulations.
Churchill Pharmaceuticals has filed a New Drug Application with the US Food and Drug Administration for the drug based on the Phase II STAAR study, which now positions Yonsa to become the second CYP17 inhibitor to reach the market, behind standard-of-care therapy Zytiga (abiraterone acetate; Johnson & Johnson/AstraZeneca). However, despite the increased bioavailability offered by Yonsa, late-phase survival data are still needed to determine how the drug will fare in competition with Zytiga, as well as with other late-phase drugs targeting metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Further, uptake of Yonsa may be limited by Churchill Pharmaceuticals’ relative lack of oncology marketing experience and resources in comparison to larger competitors such as Johnson & Johnson
Yonsa (Churchill Pharmaceuticals) is an oral, ultramicrosize tablet formulation of abiraterone acetate that inhibits 17 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17). The CYP17 family of enzymes catalyze the hydroxylation of intermediates involved in testosterone synthesis, a common driver of prostate cancer genesis and recurrence. Yonsa is made using the SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology, which enables the delivery of abiraterone acetate at double the bioavailability of comparative formulations.
Churchill Pharmaceuticals has filed a New Drug Application with the US Food and Drug Administration for the drug based on the Phase II STAAR study, which now positions Yonsa to become the second CYP17 inhibitor to reach the market, behind standard-of-care therapy Zytiga (abiraterone acetate; Johnson & Johnson/AstraZeneca). However, despite the increased bioavailability offered by Yonsa, late-phase survival data are still needed to determine how the drug will fare in competition with Zytiga, as well as with other late-phase drugs targeting metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Further, uptake of Yonsa may be limited by Churchill Pharmaceuticals’ relative lack of oncology marketing experience and resources in comparison to larger competitors such as Johnson & Johnson
Table of Contents
Product ProfilesYonsa: Prostate cancer
List of Figures
Figure 1: Yonsa for prostate cancer - SWOT analysis
Figure 2: Drug assessment summary of Yonsa for prostate cancer
Figure 3: Drug assessment summary of Yonsa for prostate cancer
Figure 4: Yonsa sales for prostate cancer in the US, 2017-26
List of Tables
Table 1: Yonsa drug profile
Table 2: Yonsa Phase II/III trial in prostate cancer
Table 3: Yonsa sales for prostate cancer in the US ($m), 2017-26
