On September 1, Hengrui Pharmaceuticals' self-developed Class 1 innovative biologic, insulin degludec injection (brand name: Ruihengying®), officially launched on the Ali Health platform. This product is the first domestically developed long-acting insulin analog in China, indicated for the treatment of adult type 2 diabetes. From receiving NMPA marketing approval at the end of July to online launch, it took only one month, which industry observers say reflects the accelerating flow of innovative drugs from regulatory approval to patient access in China.
Insulin degludec injection (development code: INS068) is a long-acting basal insulin with durable and stable action, with cumulative R&D investment of approximately 544 million yuan. Two pivotal Phase III clinical studies showed that for Chinese type 2 diabetes patients, the drug's glycemic control is comparable to insulin glargine, with a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia than the comparator, directly addressing a long-standing clinical pain point and better meeting the long-term glycemic management needs of chronic disease patients.
The drug was approved by the NMPA on July 29, completed the first nationwide shipment in late August for distribution to medical institutions nationwide, and launched on the Ali Health online platform on September 1, covering both hospital and online retail channels. Previously, after innovative drugs were approved, they often required months to complete production, supply chain setup, channel access, and listing before reaching patients. This launch in just one month reflects solid supply chain preparation and the accelerating role of online pharmaceutical platforms in the commercialization of innovative drugs.
The launch of Ruihengying® marks Hengrui's formal entry into the insulin sector, filling an important segment in its diabetes portfolio. The company also has an insulin-GLP-1 combination product under review, with a continuously enriching diabetes pipeline. China has a large population of type 2 diabetes patients, many of whom in the middle-to-late stages of the disease require basal insulin to achieve glycemic targets. Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a major factor limiting patient adherence, and this new drug provides an entirely new domestic treatment option for clinical practice.

Source: PharmNet | http://news.pharmnet.com.cn/news/2026/09/01/625210.html