EVEREST MED (01952) shares climbed more than 5% in early trading on Wednesday, with the stock last up 3.49% at HK$27.24, and trading volume reaching HK$27.02 million.

The move comes after the company announced via its official WeChat account that the China National Medical Products Administration's (NMPA) Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) has accepted the registration application for VELSIPITY® (etrasimod arginine tablets) to transfer production from overseas facilities to domestic manufacturing sites. The application has also been granted priority review status.

The local production initiative is expected to commence formal operations in 2027, which will significantly enhance supply capabilities and ensure more reliable delivery of VELSIPITY® across China and the broader Asia-Pacific market. This regulatory acceptance marks a key milestone in the drug's commercialization strategy.

According to company disclosures, VELSIPITY® received its first prescription in March 2026, officially entering clinical use in China. Alongside its rapid commercial rollout, the drug is actively participating in negotiations for inclusion in the national medical insurance catalog.

Within EVEREST MED's licensed territories, VELSIPITY® has already obtained new drug approval in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and South Korea. The company anticipates regulatory approval for market entry in Taiwan in the second half of 2026.