First New Blood Disorder Treatment Approved in 30 Years

For the first time in almost 30 years, people living with essential thrombocythemia have a new way to manage their condition.

Taiwan's health authorities approved BESREMi this week for treating adults with ET, a rare blood disorder that causes the body to produce too many platelets. This overproduction puts patients at risk for dangerous blood clots and bleeding episodes.

The approval marks a significant breakthrough for the estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people living with ET worldwide. PharmaEssentia, the biopharmaceutical company behind BESREMi, developed this treatment specifically for blood disorders called myeloproliferative neoplasms.

What makes BESREMi different is its potential to work across various ET patient groups, regardless of their specific disease subtype. Clinical trials showed the drug achieved lasting results in controlling blood cell counts and managing the underlying disease.

First New Blood Disorder Treatment Approved in 30 Years

In the Phase 3 SURPASS-ET study, patients who had not responded well to standard treatments saw remarkable improvements. More than 42 percent achieved durable clinical responses with BESREMi, compared to just 6 percent with the comparison drug anagrelide.

The Ripple Effect

This Taiwan approval opens the door for patients globally. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing BESREMi for ET approval, with a decision expected by late August 2026.

The drug is already approved in over 40 countries for treating polycythemia vera, another related blood disorder. Medical guidelines in the United States have also added the treatment to their recommended options for ET patients.

For people managing ET, who often face limited treatment choices and lifelong medication, having a new option means renewed hope for better disease control. The treatment's convenience factor also matters: BESREMi requires less frequent dosing than many current therapies.

PharmaEssentia plans to continue expanding access to the treatment worldwide while gathering more data on its long-term benefits. After three decades of waiting, progress in ET treatment is finally accelerating.