Avapritinib, a therapy developed by Blueprint Medicines for adults with an unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) harboring a platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) exon 18 mutation, is expected to become available at the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in South China's Hainan province, according to the pilot zone's administration. 

CStone Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative immuno-oncology and precision medicine to address the medical needs of cancer patients in China and elsewhere, has the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize avapritinib, pralsetinib and fisogatinib in the Chinese mainland.

CStone Pharmaceuticals has teamed up with Hainan Chengmei Co., Ltd to commercialize avapritinib in China and is currently working on the first treatment of a patient with it at Boao Lecheng.

In March, the pilot zone released interim measures that allow patients to take small amounts orally of clinically needed imported drugs from the pilot zone for personal use. The policy enables Chinese patients to use international leading innovative drugs at a lower cost.

As an important pilot zone for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Pilot Zone and a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, Boao Lecheng is committed to reaching the internationally advanced level in medical technology, equipment, and pharmaceuticals.

CStone Pharmaceuticals and the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone plan to establish a cooperation center focused on precision tumor treatments and innovative drugs.

Apotinib is an oral, potent and highly selective KIT/PDGFRA mutant kinase inhibitor developed by Blueprint Medicines. It is the latest precise targeted therapy for such mutations. It was launched in the United States in January 2020 with approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of adult patients with GIST with PDGFRA exon 18 mutations (including PDGFRA D842V).

In April 2020, CStone Pharmaceuticals worked as the main body commercializing avapritinib to address the medical needs of GIST patients in China. The company submitted a new drug application to the China National Medical Products Administration which was quickly granted priority review.

With its policy advantages Boao Lecheng is likely to see more leading tumor precision treatment drugs become available in the pilot zone to bring benefit to more Chinese patients.