TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Barbie Hsu, a Taiwanese actress who starred in the popular TV drama “Meteor Garden” that once swept Asia, died after contracting pneumonia triggered by the flu. She was 48.
Hsu, better known as “Da S” which means “Big S,” caught the flu when she visited Japan with her family during the Lunar New Year, according to her younger sister, Dee Hsu, also a famed TV host. Dee Hsu said the pneumonia was a flu complication.
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FILE - Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," unveils her new poster for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia in Beijing on Nov. 26, 2009. The Chinese characters on the poster reads "Vegetarians Make Chicks Happy!" (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
FILE - Taiwanese singer Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," smiles as she arrives at the 26th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, Taiwan on June 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Wally Santana, File)
FILE - Taiwanese singer Barbie Hsu smiles as she arrives at the 26th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, June 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Wally Santana, File)
FILE - Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu smiles during an event to promote her new movie "Future X-Cops," Monday, March 29, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File)
“I am grateful that in this lifetime I was able to be her sister, taking care of each other and being companions. I will forever be thankful for her and miss her!” Dee Hsu said in a statement on Monday, without specifying where and when her sister died.
The news about Barbie Hsu's sudden death shocked audiences in Taiwan and China, where many had watched her shows since her early career. In China, news of her death was trending on the social media platform Weibo.
“It feels like someone you’re so familiar with is suddenly gone," wrote one Weibo user. "This is unbelievable. Her two children, poor kids. May she rest in peace.”
Hsu broke into the industry when as a teenager she formed a pop music group called S.O.S. with her sister Dee Hsu, popularly known as “Xiao S” or “Small S.” The pair later switched to hosting TV shows and won many young fans.
In 2001, Meteor Garden beamed Barbie Hsu's name into many households in Asia. She played the female leading role in the romance drama, which also starred the boyband F4.
After gaining widespread popularity, she continued to advance her entertainment career through other TV dramas, movies and talk shows.
In recent years, her personal life also made it into the news, in particular her high-profile divorce from Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. Her fallout with Wang, their heated exchanges on social media following their divorce in 2021, and their legal battles often made headlines.
She later married Korean musician Koo Jun-yup, also known as “DJ Koo."
Hsu was passionate about defending animal rights and collaborated with groups including PETA.
“Barbie was one of the first and biggest stars to lend her support to PETA,” read a statement by the organization's senior vice president, Jason Baker. “She spoke up countless times for animals, directly urging brands to stop selling fur.”
Hsu is survived by Koo and two children she shares with Wang.
FILE - Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," unveils her new poster for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia in Beijing on Nov. 26, 2009. The Chinese characters on the poster reads "Vegetarians Make Chicks Happy!" (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
FILE - Taiwanese singer Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," smiles as she arrives at the 26th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, Taiwan on June 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Wally Santana, File)
FILE - Taiwanese singer Barbie Hsu smiles as she arrives at the 26th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, June 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Wally Santana, File)
FILE - Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu smiles during an event to promote her new movie "Future X-Cops," Monday, March 29, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File)
PRINCETON, N.J. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 4, 2026--
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) today announced that VOYXACT ® (sibeprenlimab-szsi) preserved kidney function compared to placebo over 12 months in adults with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) at risk for disease progression. VOYXACT demonstrated an increase in mean change for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline of +0.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 compared to a decline of -4.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 in the placebo-treated group, providing early evidence that sibeprenlimab may stabilize eGFR decline in patients with IgA nephropathy, which will be further validated in the ongoing Phase 3 VISIONARY trial. These results were presented at the European Renal Association (ERA) Congress 2026 in Glasgow as part of a pre-specified interim analysis of the VISIONARY Phase 3 trial. In the VISIONARY study, VOYXACT was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile in line with previously reported data 1. Full data from the VISIONARY study final analysis will be presented at a future medical conference. These findings provide clinical evidence linking upstream selective A-PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) inhibition to downstream preservation of kidney function, reinforcing VOYXACT’s ability to improve long-term outcomes.
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“For patients with IgA nephropathy, slowing the loss of kidney function is essential to improve long-term outcomes, including the likelihood of kidney failure and the need for dialysis or transplant,” said Vlado Perkovic, MBBS, Ph.D., Provost at the University of New South Wales, Australia. “These data are very encouraging and suggest that selective inhibition of APRIL may slow eGFR decline, helping patients preserve kidney function and improve long-term outcomes.”
In this pre-specified interim analysis of the global VISIONARY Phase 3 trial (n=320; sibeprenlimab, n=152; placebo, n=168), patients treated with sibeprenlimab showed an increase in the mean eGFR change from baseline of +0.7 (95% CI, -0.9 to 2.3) mL/min/1.73 m² compared to a decline of -4.8 (95% CI, -6.3 to -3.3) mL/min/1.73 m² in the placebo-treated arm, representing a treatment effect of 5.5 (95% CI, 3.4 to 7.6) mL/min/1.73 m². At 12 months, sibeprenlimab showed a mean eGFR change from baseline that meets the KDIGO treatment goal to reduce the annual kidney function decline to the normal physiological rate of (<1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /year).
Supporting the preservation of kidney function observed in the change from baseline analysis, the annualized slope of eGFR showed -3.0 (95% CI, -4.6 to -1.4) mL/min/1.73 m²/year with sibeprenlimab compared to -7.6 (95% CI, -9.1 to -6.1) mL/min/1.73 m²/year with placebo over 12 months, showing a treatment effect of 4.6 (95% CI, 2.5 to 6.8) mL/min/1.73 m²/year. The overall safety profile of VOYXACT was comparable to placebo, with infections and injection site reactions as the most common adverse events. Sibeprenlimab was generally well tolerated, and the types and frequencies of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were comparable to placebo 1.
“Together with previously observed reductions in Gd-IgA1, proteinuria, and hematuria, these new eGFR data show preserved kidney function over 12 months, which expand the growing body of evidence for VOYXACT demonstrating the potential to meaningfully improve clinical outcomes for adults with primary IgAN at risk for disease progression,” said John Kraus, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer, Otsuka. “These findings strengthen the rationale for selective APRIL inhibition as a targeted approach that modulates B-cell activity to reduce pathogenic IgA production, without B-cell depletion, differentiating selective APRIL inhibition as a safe and effective option for improving outcomes for patients with IgA nephropathy.”
About the VISIONARY Study
The VISIONARY Phase 3 trial is ongoing and will evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of sibeprenlimab in preserving kidney function based on annualized slope of estimated glomerular filtration rate (key second efficacy endpoint), estimated glomerular filtration rate change from baseline (secondary efficacy endpoint) over a 24-month treatment period. Additional longer-term assessments are planned in the Phase 2/3 open-label extension study (NCT05248659).
About IgAN
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a progressive, immune-mediated, chronic kidney disease that typically manifests in adults aged 20-40 years and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) over the lifetime of most patients 2-4. IgAN is characterized by the accumulation of Gd-IgA1 complexes in the kidneys 3. IgAN can lead to progressive loss of kidney function and, eventually, ESKD, imposing a significant burden on patients 3. Despite supportive care, there is an unmet need for treatments that address the root causes of the condition 5. Continued research in IgAN remains crucial to uncovering opportunities for advancement in our understanding and treatment of patients 5.
About VOYXACT® (sibeprenlimab-szsi)
VOYXACT (sibeprenlimab-szsi) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks APRIL, which plays a key role in the 4-hit process of IgAN pathogenesis and is an important initiating and sustaining factor in IgAN progression by promoting the production of pathogenic galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) 5-8. Inhibition of APRIL results in reduced levels of serum galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), which is implicated in the pathogenesis of IgAN. VOYXACT is a self-administered, subcutaneous injection dosed once every four weeks. VOYXACT is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for primary IgAN that selectively inhibits APRIL, a key immune driver of the disease 1. VOYXACT was granted accelerated approval by the U.S. FDA on November 25, 2025. Otsuka has initiated a rolling submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. FDA for VOYXACT traditional approval, including data from the 24-month eGFR endpoint.
INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION forVOYXACT® (sibeprenlimab-szsi)
INDICATION
VOYXACT is indicated to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk for disease progression.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on reduction of proteinuria. It has not been established whether VOYXACT slows kidney function decline over the long-term in patients with IgAN. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory clinical trial.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATION
VOYXACT is contraindicated in patients with serious hypersensitivity to sibeprenlimab-szsi or any of the excipients of VOYXACT.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infections: VOYXACT suppresses the immune system by reducing antibody production, which may increase the risk of infections. Patients with chronic or recurring infections may have an increased risk of serious infection. In clinical trials, infections occurred in 49% of patients treated with VOYXACT compared with 45% of patients treated with placebo.
Before initiating VOYXACT, assess patients for active infections. During treatment, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection. If a serious infection develops, consider interrupting VOYXACT until the infection is controlled.
Immunosuppression and Immunization Risks: Because of its mechanism of action, VOYXACT may interfere with immune responses to vaccines and increase the risk of infection from live vaccines. Live vaccines are not recommended within 30 days prior to initiation of VOYXACT or during treatment with VOYXACT as safety has not been established. No data are available on the secondary transmission of infection from persons receiving live vaccines to patients receiving VOYXACT or on the efficacy of immunizations administered while receiving VOYXACT.
Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥10% of patients treated with VOYXACT and at a higher incidence than placebo) in patients treated with VOYXACT and placebo, respectively, were infections (49% versus 45%) and injection site reactions (24% versus 23%). The most common infection was upper respiratory infection (15% versus 14%), and the most common injection site reaction was injection site erythema (13% versus 12%). Most adverse reactions were reported as mild or moderate in severity and resolved without treatment interruption or discontinuation.
Pregnancy: There are no available data on VOYXACT use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Monoclonal antibodies, such as sibeprenlimab-szsi, can be actively transported across the placenta as pregnancy progresses; therefore, potential effects on a fetus are likely to be greater during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
Lactation: There are no data on the presence of sibeprenlimab-szsi in human milk, the effects of sibeprenlimab-szsi on the breastfed infant, or the effects of sibeprenlimab-szsi on milk production.
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of VOYXACT in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of VOYXACT did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult patients.
Pregnant women exposed to VOYXACT, or their healthcare providers, should report VOYXACT exposure by calling 1-833-869-9228 or visiting www.VOYXACT.com
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1-800-438-9927 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 ( www.fda.gov/medwatch ).
Please seeFULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATIONandPATIENT INFORMATION
About Otsuka
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a total healthcare company that focuses on each individual's potential to enhance their well-being. Our medical-related business provides treatments and diagnostics for both physical and mental health. Our nutraceutical business supports daily health maintenance and improvement. Otsuka's unique products and services are based on scientific evidence, under the guidance of our corporate philosophy: Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. are the US-based indirect subsidiaries of the global healthcare company Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Otsuka’s US companies share a deep commitment to the development and commercialization of innovative products in the spaces of neuroscience, nephrology, and immunology. At our core is perseverance–a fierce determination to overcome any obstacle, regardless of setbacks, on behalf of patients, caregivers, and their loved ones. We will not be bound by doing what’s been done before. Learn more at www.otsuka-us.com.
References
Otsuka Presents Positive Interim Phase 3 VISIONARY eGFR Data Showing VOYXACT® (sibeprenlimab-szsi) Preserved Kidney Function Over 12 Months in IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
