Drug Overview
Uptravi (selexipag; Johnson & Johnson/Nippon Shinyaku) is a first-in-class oral selective non-prostanoid prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) receptor agonist. The drug and its active metabolite, ACT-333679, have a similar mode of action to the prostacyclin analogs, but with greater selectivity for the PGI2 receptor.
Analyst Outlook
Uptravi (selexipag; Johnson & Johnson/Nippon Shinyaku) is positioned to become the second highest-selling drug behind Opsumit (macitentan; Johnson & Johnson/Nippon Shinyaku) in the forecast period, with strong peak sales of $1.5bn across the forecast markets. Notably, Uptravi represents the first prostacyclin to launch for pulmonary hypertension (PH) supported by clinical data demonstrating a slowing of disease progression and reduced risk of hospitalization. Furthermore, it is dosed orally, eliminating the need for the burdensome injections or regular inhalation with other prostacyclins. This attractive clinical profile will allow Johnson & Johnson to expand the role of the prostacyclin class in the treatment of PH, which is typically reserved as a later-line therapy. Furthermore, Uptravi is being investigated in a triple combination regimen with a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and Johnson & Johnson’s endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) Opsumit. This may encourage physicians to treat newly diagnosed patients aggressively with improved outcomes, while consolidating both Uptravi and Opsumit as leaders within the PH market.
Uptravi (selexipag; Johnson & Johnson/Nippon Shinyaku) is a first-in-class oral selective non-prostanoid prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) receptor agonist. The drug and its active metabolite, ACT-333679, have a similar mode of action to the prostacyclin analogs, but with greater selectivity for the PGI2 receptor.
Analyst Outlook
Uptravi (selexipag; Johnson & Johnson/Nippon Shinyaku) is positioned to become the second highest-selling drug behind Opsumit (macitentan; Johnson & Johnson/Nippon Shinyaku) in the forecast period, with strong peak sales of $1.5bn across the forecast markets. Notably, Uptravi represents the first prostacyclin to launch for pulmonary hypertension (PH) supported by clinical data demonstrating a slowing of disease progression and reduced risk of hospitalization. Furthermore, it is dosed orally, eliminating the need for the burdensome injections or regular inhalation with other prostacyclins. This attractive clinical profile will allow Johnson & Johnson to expand the role of the prostacyclin class in the treatment of PH, which is typically reserved as a later-line therapy. Furthermore, Uptravi is being investigated in a triple combination regimen with a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and Johnson & Johnson’s endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) Opsumit. This may encourage physicians to treat newly diagnosed patients aggressively with improved outcomes, while consolidating both Uptravi and Opsumit as leaders within the PH market.
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