China achieves global-first marketing of innovative drug targeting narcolepsy

A new drug targeting narcolepsy, developed and submitted for approval globally, has received its first approval for marketing in China, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) said on Tuesday.

The drug was submitted for marketing approval in multiple countries and regions around the world. It was designated as a breakthrough therapy in China and entered the priority review and approval process.

"This innovative drug was submitted for marketing authorization applications simultaneously in the United States, Japan, and other countries. China is the first country globally to approve its marketing. This indicates that in the field of the development of globally new drugs, China has achieved a historic breakthrough in global first-to-report and first-to-market status, from original target discovery to simultaneous international multi-center clinical trials and registration," said Xu Xiaoqiang, director of the chemical drugs division of the drug registration department of National Medical Products Administration.

Experts say that China has a large number of cases involving a wide range of diseases, which can provide representative clinical data for drug development for various diseases worldwide, including rare diseases.

"I think the reason why the world is paying attention to China is not only because we have a huge market, but more importantly because our clinical research capabilities have been enhanced. Secondly, our management mechanism has been greatly improved. This time we achieved a global first in the marketing of the new drug," said Han Fang, director of the department of sleep medicine at Peking University People's Hospital.

"Taking narcolepsy as an example, China has established a clinical cohort for narcolepsy, accumulating valuable clinical experience in sleep monitoring, management of the disease in adults and children, long-term follow-up, and participation in international multi-center clinical studies. Now, China is not only a global pharmaceutical market, but also a source, validation, and translation hub for innovative drugs globally," said Zhan Shuqin, a professor at the sleep disease center of the Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University.

China achieves global-first marketing of innovative drug targeting narcolepsy

China has expanded its zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries, implementing regulatory measures and green channels to boost bilateral trade, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, GAC head Sun Meijun outlined China's targeted regulatory measures to facilitate the implementation of the zero-tariff policy.

"We have advanced the effective implementation of policies for voluntary and unilateral opening up. In May this year, China fully implemented its zero-tariff policy for African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. We have formulated a regulatory framework to implement the zero-tariff policy, innovated a management system based on risk classification and grading, adopted facilitation measures such as agenda-based access, and expanded green channels for agricultural and food products entering China," Sun said.

The zero-tariff policy has already yielded significant results, with bilateral trade experiencing strong momentum, according to the official.

"In the first half of this year, imports and exports between China and Africa grew by 19.6 percent. Currently, the number of countries benefiting from China's zero-tariff treatment has reached 63. We will continue to implement high-level economic and trade agreements, and strengthen the alignment and connection of customs procedures, inspection and quarantine, as well as rules of origin," Sun added.

Starting from May 1, 2026, China has expanded its zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. It has already scrapped tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for 33 least developed countries in Africa since Dec 1, 2024.

China's zero-tariff measures cover 63 countries: official