BeiGene, a global, science-driven biotechnology company, has announced that its anti-cancer drug zanubrutinib, a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), has been added to Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MoH) Cancer Drug List (CDL) for multiple indications.

The CDL is the MoH’s approved list of clinically proven and more cost-effective cancer treatments. Only drugs on the CDL are reimbursable for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) under Singapore’s MediShield Life (MSHL), MediSave (MSV) and Integrated Shield Plans (IPs).

Zanubrutinib will also be covered for eligible patients under the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF). The MAF scheme provides subsidies for high-cost drugs that are clinically proven and cost-effective for specific indications, at public healthcare institutions to ensure patients have access to more affordable care.

Zanubrutinib is an orally administered BTKi. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a protein that signals to cancerous B cells to grow and spread; BTKi can help block or inhibit the signaling process that enables the cancer’s growth and spread. Developed inhouse by BeiGene, zanubrutinib has been found to be an effective treatment for several blood and bone marrow cancers.

To date, zanubrutinib has been approved in more than 65 markets including the United States (US), China, European Union (EU), Great Britain, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Switzerland in selected indications and under development for additional approvals globally.