On the morning of January 6, Beijing Friendship Hospital Shunyi Branch issued the first prescription in mainland China for the innovative rare disease drug Seladelpar, which is specifically used to treat primary biliary cholangitis. This not only marks a significant step forward in the treatment of rare diseases in my country, but also provides a model for the introduction of more innovative drugs.

At the Shunyi branch of Beijing Friendship Hospital, patient Liu Li (pseudonym) received the first box of sradpa prescribed in mainland China. Liu Li had been diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis for many years. After trying her current first-line treatments, her indicators did not improve significantly. After thorough communication, she decided to try the innovative rare disease drug sradpa. "I hope this innovative drug can improve my condition, and I also hope that such drugs will be included in medical insurance as soon as possible, benefiting more patients," Liu Li said.
Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by progressive destruction of intrahepatic small bile ducts. These patients have a high risk of disease progression, which can gradually lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Currently, approximately 30% to 40% of patients do not respond well to first-line treatments in this field, highlighting the urgent need for more effective and innovative treatment options.
In recent years, multiple international clinical studies have shown that sradpa, a globally innovative drug from Gilead Sciences that is currently approved for marketing abroad, can rapidly and effectively improve biochemical indicators in patients with primary biliary cholangitis, and also has a certain relieving effect on moderate to severe itching in patients, with good drug safety.
Thanks to the temporary import policy for urgently needed drugs in Beijing and the efficient collaboration of Keyuan Xinhai (Beijing) Medical Supplies Trading Co., Ltd., Sera Depar was quickly approved in just over two months, bringing good news to patients with rare diseases.
In September 2025, 48 boxes of Sladpa were already in bonded storage in the Tianzhu Comprehensive Bonded Zone, achieving "medicine waiting for customers." On January 5, 2026, the drug took only 1.5 hours to clear customs and reach the medical institution.
“We will focus on the medication needs of patients with rare diseases, leverage Beijing’s policy advantages, continue to utilize our international supply chain advantages, build a ‘highway’ for the introduction of innovative drugs, deepen cooperation with multinational pharmaceutical companies, accelerate the landing of global innovative drugs, and at the same time, work with medical institutions and other parties to jointly promote the implementation and effectiveness of a full-chain solution from drug accessibility to patient affordability,” said Xu Lantian, Deputy Manager of Trade and Foreign Projects at Shanghai Pharmaceutical Science Park.

https://bydrug.pharmcube.com/news/detail/646111cc4752139fbaf2550abc1e586a