CMDE Proposes Eight Products for NMPA Innovative Medical Devices Special Review – Brain‑Computer Interface and Pulsed Ablation Catheter Make the List

Beijing, China – 09 Sep 2026 – The Center for Medical Device Evaluation (CMDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has published the proposed results of its Special Review of Innovative Medical Devices (Announcement No. 15 of 2026), indicating that eight device applications are proposed for entry into the special review program under NMPA Announcement No. 83 of 2018. The public notice period runs from 9 September to 23 September 2026, during which any organization or individual may submit written objections to the CMDE.

Regulatory Milestone

ItemDetail
AgencyNMPA / Center for Medical Device Evaluation (CMDE)
AnnouncementSpecial Review Results for Innovative Medical Devices, No. 15 of 2026
Legal BasisSpecial Review Procedure for Innovative Medical Devices (NMPA Announcement No. 83 of 2018)
Products Proposed8 device applications
Notice Period9–23 September 2026
ObjectionsWritten submissions to gcdivision@cmde.org.cn
Next StepsFinal review conclusion determines actual entry; applicants must still complete R&D and submit registration applications

Proposed Products & Applicants

#ProductApplicant
1Intravesical endoscopic surgery systemGuangzhou Qiaojie Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
2Implantable wireless brain‑computer interface (BCI) systemBeijing Zhiran Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
3Liquid embolic agentMicroPort NeuroTech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
4Single‑use magnetic‑localization, pressure‑monitoring radiofrequency pulsed ablation catheterSt. Jude Medical (an Abbott company)
5Temperature‑sensitive liquid embolic agentGuangdong Guangna Anliao Technology Co., Ltd.
6Deep‑brain macro‑micro electrodeBeijing Huake Hengsheng Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
7Single‑branch aortic arch stent‑graft systemLifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 1302)
8Human homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) detection reagent kit – Joint Probe Anchored Sequencing (JPAS) methodPurui Jizhun Biopharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

Portfolio Profile

  • Frontier Neurotechnology: Two neuro‑applications — an implantable wireless BCI system and a deep‑brain macro‑micro electrode — highlight China’s accelerating push into neural interfaces and neuromodulation hardware.
  • Interventional Cardiology & Neurovascular: The list pairs St. Jude Medical’s next‑generation ablation catheter with two liquid embolic agents (including a temperature‑sensitive formulation) and Lifetech Scientific’s single‑branch aortic arch stent‑graft, addressing complex structural and neurovascular indications.
  • Precision Diagnostics: The HRD detection kit using the JPAS method targets companion‑diagnostic testing for homologous recombination repair deficiency — a key biomarker for guiding PARP inhibitor therapy in oncology.
  • Procedural Robotics: Guangzhou Qiaojie’s intravesical endoscopic surgery system extends the cohort into minimally invasive urologic surgery platforms.

Program Context

  • Special Review Mechanism: Established under the 2018 procedure, the program grants innovative devices early engagement, dedicated reviewers, and scientific review — with standards not lowered and procedures not reduced — to accelerate market access.
  • Important Caveats: The CMDE stressed that this public notice is not itself the basis for entry into the special review program; entry depends on the final review conclusion. Moreover, entry does not constitute recognition that a product has demonstrated registrable safety and effectiveness — applicants must still complete development and registration per applicable requirements.

Market Impact & Outlook

  • Innovation Signal: The eighth‑month cadence of special‑review lists continues to channel domestic and multinational R&D toward high‑value, first‑of‑kind devices in China.
  • Multinational Participation: St. Jude Medical (Abbott) appearing alongside domestic sponsors underscores the program’s role as a priority pathway for global innovators seeking early China market entry.
  • Competitive Dynamics: Dual entries in the liquid embolic category suggest an emerging head‑to‑head race in neurovascular embolization materials, while the BCI listing positions China among the regulators formally advancing implantable neural interface devices.
  • Diagnostic‑Therapeutic Convergence: The HRD/JPAS kit reflects tighter integration between companion diagnostics and oncology drug development, a pairing increasingly favored under China’s precision‑medicine agenda.

Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding the CMDE’s proposed special‑review outcomes, the public‑objection process, and subsequent registration expectations for the listed devices. Actual results may differ; entry into the special review program remains subject to the final review conclusion and does not imply approval of safety or effectiveness.-China Health Reform Pulse

Policy Source: https://www.cmde.org.cn/xwdt/zxyw/20260909151140162.html

NMPA Expands Age-Friendly Drug Labels Pilot With Eighth Batch of 483 Products – Cumulative Coverage Reaches 3,671 Drugs

Beijing, China – 08 Sep 2026 – China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) published the eighth batch of its pilot list for the age-friendly and barrier-free reform of drug package inserts (labels), adding 483 drug products submitted by marketing authorization holders (MAHs) through provincial drug regulators and the NMPA Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). The list spans chemical drugs, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and biologics from both domestic and multinational manufacturers.

Regulatory Milestone

ItemDetail
AgencyNMPA (China)
Announcement TypePilot list publication (Batch 8)
Policy BasisNMPA Announcement No. 142 of 2023 – Pilot Work Plan for Age-Friendly and Barrier-Free Reform of Drug Package Inserts
Products Added483 drug products
Publication Date8 Sep 2026
Next StepsListed MAHs to implement revised, accessible labeling for pilot products

Batch 8 Profile

  • Composition: Predominantly chemical drugs and TCM, with a portion of biologics; products from Jiangsu, Guangdong and Fujian provinces are prominently represented.
  • Therapeutic Coverage: Medicines for chronic and common diseases — diabetes, hypertension, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis — alongside oncology and major-disease therapies for lung, breast and prostate cancer.
  • Featured Products: Bosentan Tablets (Beijing Sihuan Kebao Pharmaceutical); Celecoxib Capsules (CSPC Group Ouyi Pharmaceutical); Tuonuodafei Hydrochloride Tablets (Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group), a recently approved Class 1 innovative PDE5 inhibitor; Ustekinumab Injection (Hangzhou Sino‑American Huadong Pharmaceutical); Xiangsha Lizhong Wan (Fuzhou Haiwang Jinxiang TCM Pharmaceutical); Capivasertib Tablets (AstraZeneca UK Limited); Infliximab for Injection (Janssen‑Cilag International NV).
  • Reform Scope: Pilot products may adopt accessible labeling formats — enlarged print, prominent presentation of critical information, and electronic or alternative-format inserts — to serve elderly and visually impaired patients.

Pilot Program – Expansion to Date

  • Launch: The pilot work plan was released in late October 2023; the first batch followed in late December 2023.
  • Cumulative Reach: Eight batches now cover 3,671 drug products in total.
  • Accelerating Pace: Three batches published year-to-date in 2026, incorporating 1,906 products — more than half of the program’s cumulative total — signaling markedly faster expansion.

Market Impact & Outlook

  • Patient Safety: Improved label readability directly targets medication errors among elderly patients, a growing concern as China’s population ages rapidly.
  • Industry Compliance: The steady widening of the pilot suggests MAHs should anticipate accessible-labeling expectations becoming an industry norm, potentially extending beyond pilot status.
  • Multinational Participation: Inclusion of AstraZeneca and Janssen‑Cilag products indicates global sponsors are aligning China labeling operations with the reform, mirroring accessibility trends in other major markets.
  • Regulatory Trajectory: With the 2026 publication cadence tripling coverage, a transition from voluntary pilot toward broader mandatory implementation appears increasingly plausible.

Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding regulatory timelines, the scope of future pilot batches, and industry compliance expectations for China’s age-friendly drug label reform. Actual outcomes may differ due to changes in NMPA policy, implementation schedules, and manufacturer adoption.-China Health Reform Pulse

Policy Source: https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/yaopin/ypjgdt/20260908141654101.html

NMPA Grants Class II TCM Variety Protection to Five Products – Seven‑Year Exclusivity Runs Through 2033

Beijing, China – 04 Sep 2026 – China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that, pursuant to the Regulations on the Protection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Varieties, five traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products have been approved as first‑instance Class II protected TCM varieties, each receiving a protection term of seven years from the announcement date. The designated products are Jinrong Granules of Guangzhou Qiji Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Compound Ciwujia Granules of Heilongjiang Hanhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xiao’er Chaigui Antipyretic Oral Liquid of Jilin Aodong Yanbian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Danlong Oral Liquid of Zhejiang Kangde Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., and Compound Shangtong Capsules of Licai Gansu Xifeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Announcement No. 38, 2026 No. 89).

Regulatory Milestone

ItemDetail
AgencyNMPA (China)
AnnouncementAnnouncement on Protected TCM Varieties No. 38 (2026 No. 89)
Legal BasisRegulations on the Protection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Varieties
DesignationClass II protected TCM varieties – first instance (initial protection)
Protection TermSeven years from the announcement date (through September 2033)
Announcement Date4 September 2026

Protected Products & Manufacturers

ProductManufacturerProtection No.
Jinrong Granules (金蓉颗粒)Guangzhou Qiji Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. (private)ZYB2072026021
Compound Ciwujia Granules (复方刺五加颗粒)Heilongjiang Hanhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (private)ZYB2072026019
Xiao’er Chaigui Antipyretic Oral Liquid (小儿柴桂退热口服液)Jilin Aodong Yanbian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. – affiliate of listed Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group (000623.SZ)ZYB2072026020
Danlong Oral Liquid (丹龙口服液)Zhejiang Kangde Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (private)ZYB2072026023
Compound Shangtong Capsules (复方伤痛胶囊)Licai Gansu Xifeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (private)ZYB2072026022
  • Dosage Forms Covered: granules, oral liquids, and capsules – reflecting the breadth of TCM manufacturing formats recognized in this batch.
  • Indications & Clinical Data: Not restated in the announcement; no therapeutic claims or trial figures were disclosed.

Protection Framework – Class II TCM Variety Status

  • Scope: Under the TCM Variety Protection Regulations, a protected variety enjoys market exclusivity during the protection term; unauthorized enterprises may not produce the same variety, subject to statutory procedures for prior producers within prescribed deadlines.
  • Term Structure: Initial Class II protection runs seven years – consistent with the term stated in the announcement; holders may apply for extension upon expiry in accordance with the regulations.
  • Strategic Value: The designation functions as a TCM‑specific exclusivity instrument, complementing patents and trade‑secret protection to deter copycat production of established formulations.

Market Impact & Outlook

  • Exclusivity Window: All five varieties are shielded through September 2033, granting holders a multi‑year moat against new entrants seeking to launch the same formulations.
  • Listed‑Company Angle: Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group (000623.SZ) reinforces its pediatric product portfolio through the protection of its Yanbian affiliate’s Xiao’er Chaigui Antipyretic Oral Liquid; the remaining four holders are private companies.
  • TCM Policy Tailwind: The batch designation aligns with Beijing’s sustained policy support for TCM innovation and quality upgrading, with the NMPA deploying the variety‑protection system to reward established products.
  • Financial Impact: Revenue contribution and pricing implications were not disclosed in the announcement.

Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding the regulatory status, protection timelines, and commercial expectations for the five protected TCM varieties. Actual outcomes may differ due to risks including extension decisions, changes in TCM regulation, market competition, and pricing policy.-China Health Reform Pulse

Policy Source: https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/ypggtg/zhybhpzh/zhybhpzhgg/20260908150355107.html