Innovent Biologics, the first Chinese company to win regulatory approval to sell a GLP-1 drug for weight loss and diabetes, will leverage JD Health’s online distribution network as it seeks to grab a slice of a market that could be worth 40 billion yuan (US$5.6 billion) in a decade.
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The companies will collaborate on supply chain and sales channel development ahead of Innovent’s launch of mazdutide, as well as engage in a consumer education campaign.
“Innovent and JD Health will join hands to popularise knowledge about weight loss and blood sugar control via on and offline channels,” Innovent said in a statement posted on its WeChat account on Tuesday.
Late last month, eastern Jiangsu province-based Innovent said it received Chinese regulatory approval for mazdutide, which it claimed was the world’s first to mimic the natural hormones of GLP-1 and glucagon, with the latter playing a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels.
GLP-1 drugs mimic the actions of the naturally produced hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which regulates blood sugar levels, suppresses appetite and slows digestion.
“Innovent will make its breakthrough dual-target, liver fat-reducing weight loss therapy available to obese patients as soon as possible, to contribute towards the weight management and healthy China initiatives,” said chairman Michael Yu Dechao, without giving a time frame.
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