Pint Pharma and PharmaEssentia have announced that ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) has approved BESREMi® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b) for the treatment of adult patients with Polycythemia Vera (PV).

Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a rare, chronic, debilitating, and potentially fatal myeloproliferative neoplasm, originating from a disease-initiating stem cell in the bone marrow. This results in a persistent increase in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. PV can lead to cardiovascular complications such as thrombosis and embolism, and in a significant number of patients it can progress to secondary myelofibrosis or leukemia.

The global incidence of PV is estimated at approximately 2.8 cases per 100,000 people per year. In Brazil, between 2016 and 2020, DataSUS recorded 1,843 cases of Polycythemia Vera, representing an incidence of 0.16 per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite being a rare disease, these numbers suggest the possibility of underdiagnosis and underreporting, highlighting a challenge in identifying affected patients.

According to Fernanda Bertasi, General Manager of Pint Pharma in Brazil, "ANVISA’s approval of BESREMi® represents a transformative milestone for patients with Polycythemia Vera in Brazil. This new therapeutic option brings real hope, offering innovation and progress in disease treatment. This is an essential step in providing better health and well-being for these patients."

Valnei Canutti, Hematologist and Chief Scientific Officer at Pint Pharma, emphasized, "BESREMi® is an innovative, monopegylated interferon with extended action due to its unique pharmacokinetic properties. Its approval was based on robust evidence from the PEGINVERA clinical study, which demonstrated superior and more sustained hematologic and clinical responses compared to standard therapy."

David Ricardo Muñoz Guzmán, CEO of Pint Pharma said, "This therapeutic advancement reaffirms Pint Pharma’s commitment to being a community-centered company. Our mission goes beyond innovation and high technology, focusing on solutions that truly impact patients' lives by expanding access to treatments and improving healthcare quality."

Ko-Chung Lin, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of PharmaEssentia, added, "The approval of BESREMi® by ANVISA is a testament to the power of strong cross-border partnerships in advancing healthcare and reinforces our mission to transform care for PV patients worldwide. We deeply appreciate the collaboration with the Pint Pharma team, whose expertise and dedication have been instrumental in bringing BESREMi® to patients in Brazil."