Zydus Desidustat Approved By China NMPA; Shares Fall 2%

Mumbai, March 16: Zydus Lifesciences said its novel drug Desidustat, licensed to China Medical System Holdings, has received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration for the treatment of renal anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

According to a company press release dated March 14, 2026, the approval covers the use of Desidustat tablets for treating anaemia in non-dialysis adult patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.

The company said the product is a novel oral Hypoxia Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor. The therapy stimulates erythropoiesis by increasing endogenous erythropoietin levels and reducing hepcidin, which improves iron availability in the body.

Zydus had previously granted an exclusive licence for Desidustat to a subsidiary of China Medical System Holdings. The partner obtained the marketing authorisation from the Chinese regulator following clinical development and regulatory review in the country.

Clinical studies conducted in China showed that the therapy met its primary efficacy endpoint in Phase III trials. Extension studies demonstrated that haemoglobin levels could be maintained within the target range with acceptable safety outcomes.

The company said more than 120 million patients in China are estimated to suffer from chronic kidney disease, with anaemia being a common complication of the condition.

Share Price Movement

Zydus Lifesciences shares traded lower on March 16 even as the regulatory update was disclosed.

As of 11:51 am IST on March 16, 2026, the Zydus Lifesciences share price was at ₹884.45, down 2.37% compared with the previous close of ₹905.90, according to exchange data.

The stock opened at ₹907.10 during the session and touched a high of ₹911.90 before declining to a low of ₹880.40 so far during the trading day.

Market capitalisation of the company stood near ₹89,000 crore, while the stock traded at a price to earnings multiple of around 18 based on exchange data.

Company Background

Zydus Lifesciences is an innovation driven global pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of healthcare therapies.

The group has a workforce of more than 29,000 employees worldwide and maintains a large research network including approximately 1,500 scientists involved in research and development activities.

Its portfolio spans vaccines, biologics, specialty therapeutics and new chemical entities. Over the past decade the company has introduced several products addressing unmet healthcare needs across multiple therapy segments.

Desidustat is marketed in India under the brand Oxemia for treating anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease, with the company stating that more than one lakh patients in India have been treated with the therapy since its commercial introduction.

Conclusion

The regulatory approval in China marks an expansion of Desidustat’s commercial footprint into one of the world’s largest chronic kidney disease treatment markets.

Through the licensing partnership with China Medical System Holdings, Zydus aims to increase patient access to the therapy while leveraging its partner’s commercial network in the Chinese pharmaceutical market.

Source: https://nsearchives.nseindia.com/corporate/Cadilahc_14032026133830_PR14032026.pdf