Swedish pharma launches first drug

Swedish biopharmaceutical company Hansa Biopharma has officially launched Idefirix in Australia, announcing that the first commercial patient has received a living donor kidney transplant following treatment with Idefirix for desensitisation.

Idefirix was finally added to the National Health Reform Agreement last month, following MSAC’s recommendation in April to fund the therapy under the Highly Specialised Therapies program.

An application seeking public funding was previously knocked back in July 2023 before being deferred in August 2024 to allow further engagement with stakeholders to resolve and agree on remaining issues primarily relating to eligibility criteria and implementation issues.