Zydus Lifesciences Limited has informed the Exchange regarding a press release dated March 14, 2026, titled "Zydus new drug discovery, Desidustat licensed to China Medical System Holdings receives approval from NMPA of China".
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Zydus Lifesciences announced that its innovative oral drug Desidustat, licensed to China Medical System Holdings (CMS) via its subsidiary since 2020, has received marketing approval from China's NMPA for treating renal anaemia in non-dialysis adult CKD patients. China Phase III clinical trial met its primary efficacy endpoint, with extension study results showing maintained haemoglobin levels and improved iron metabolism with acceptable safety. Desidustat is an oral HIF-PHI drug, offering better treatment compliance compared to injectable alternatives, and targets a market of over 120 million CKD patients in China where anaemia treatment rates remain very low (only 8.2% target achievement in non-dialysis CKD patients). The drug is already marketed in India as Oxemia™ since 2022 and has treated more than 1 lakh patients domestically.
This approval validates Zydus's novel drug pipeline and opens a large addressable market in China, likely generating milestone payments and/or royalties from CMS. While the near-term stock impact may be limited since revenue flows through the licensing partner, it strengthens Zydus's credentials as an innovation-driven pharma company and could enhance long-term valuation.