China Medical System Holdings Limited announced on Mar, 13 2026 that China’s National Medical Products Administration approved Desidustat Tablets, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor for treating anaemia in non-dialysis adult chronic kidney disease patients.

The company said a China Phase III study showed the drug raised haemoglobin levels versus placebo and maintained target ranges over the long term with acceptable safety, while reducing hepcidin and improving iron metabolism.

Citing more than 120 million chronic kidney disease patients in China and an 8.2% haemoglobin target-achievement rate among non-dialysis anaemia patients, the firm noted significant unmet demand for new treatments.

CMS International Development and Management, a wholly owned subsidiary, holds China rights to the therapy under an exclusive licence signed on Jan, 20 2020 with Zydus Lifesciences.

China Medical System expects Desidustat to complement its existing nephrology product Velphoro and to benefit future financial results.