Petrovax: Areima (camrelizumab) Lung cancer immunotherapy drug

The main articles are:

• Lung cancer
• Cancer immunotherapy
• Drugs to treat cancer

2025: Registration of PD-1 of the Areima inhibitor

The Russian Ministry of Health has registered PD-1 Areima inhibitor (INN: camrelizumab) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The drug will be produced by Petrovax Farm in a full cycle in partnership with the N.F. Gamaleya Research Institute, including the synthesis of substance. This drug will reduce costs to 7.5 billion rubles compared to alternative PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, according to the results of a clinical and economic study. Petrovax Farm announced this on December 11, 2025.

In Russia, the incidence of cancer of the trachea, bronchi and lung is constantly growing. In most cases, diseases are detected in advanced stages (III-IV) and are characterized by a high mortality rate and a significant burden on the health budget. Therefore, experts emphasize the importance of expanding the use of immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer and reducing its cost.

The introduction of modern cancer treatments into clinical practice makes it possible to significantly improve patient forecasts and reduce mortality. As of December 2025, several immunopreparations are available to Russian specialists, but often the price of therapy determines the possibility of its widespread use. Camrelizumab is able to save more than 7 billion rubles in the treatment of lung cancer, which significantly increases the number of lives saved, "said Mikhail Tsyferov, president of Petrovax.

The introduction of camrelizumab to the Russian market in 2024 was a real breakthrough in the treatment of esophageal cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer. Experts note that this new generation checkpoint inhibitor demonstrates clear advantages compared to drugs of this class of the first generation due to the high level of affinity, as well as selective and directed binding to the PD-1 protein. These properties of camrelizumab contribute to a significant improvement in prognosis for patients.

The drug is recommended for inclusion in VED, Clinical Guidelines for a number of oncological diseases. In addition, it is included in the RUSSCO practice guidelines as therapy for first and subsequent lines of esophageal cancer, and as the most preferred first-line treatment regimen for nasopharyngeal cancer. Petrovax Farm continues to conduct research on additional possibilities for the use of the drug, in particular, together with the N.F. Gamalei Scientific Research Center, participates in the development of a technological platform based on mRNA technologies for combined therapy of cancer.