Astellas Korea’s Xospata 40mg (gilteritinib fumarate), a treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), has taken a step closer to winning health insurance benefits.

On Friday, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) released the result of the drugs benefit appraisal committee’s meeting on Xospata’s eligibility for reimbursement.

The drug review panel decided that Xospata 40mg can be covered with health insurance if Astellas Korea accepts the drug price proposed by the HIRA.

If the drugmaker rejects the offer, Xospata 40mg will remain non-reimbursable, the HIRA said.

In March, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved Xospata to treat patients with relapsed or refractory AML with FLT3 mutation.

Xospata is a targeted oral therapy to inhibit FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase, which is involved in cancer cell growth.

The treatment is drawing attention as a new option for Korean patients with relapsed or refractory AML with FLT3 mutation.

Following the rules on insurance benefits for drugs, the HIRA evaluates drug reimbursement by reviewing the drugs benefit appraisal committee.

The HIRA’s final review results may change in the event of changes in the scope of reimbursement, changes of the standard item, changes in approval conditions, or cancellation of the permit.