French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced that Tzield, the world's first and only therapy approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for postponing the onset of type 1 diabetes, has been prescribed in Boao, Hainan province, among the first batch in Asia. The prescription marks a breakthrough in type 1 diabetes treatment in China, shifting from passive treatment to active intervention.
First Patient Receives Treatment
One of the first recipients of this innovative injection was a woman in her early 20s who was diagnosed with stage 2 type 1 diabetes in a hospital in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Through the policies of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, she was swiftly referred to a hospital in Boao and has started using the medication.
Treatment Mechanism and Efficacy
According to Sanofi, Tzield protects the body's pancreatic islet function at the root cause. The medicine delays the progression of type 1 diabetes from stage 2 to stage 3 in patients aged 8 or older. With 14-day continuous usage, the therapy is capable of postponing the onset of type 1 diabetes by nearly three years.
This treatment allows patients to gain symptom-free time without the need for insulin therapy, avoiding irreversible damage caused by sudden severe conditions and reducing psychological and economic impacts on their families.
Strategic Importance for Sanofi
Shi Wang, president of Sanofi Greater China, described this innovative medicine as a key strategic product for the company across both immunology and diabetes portfolios. "From the vast population living with type 2 diabetes to those with type 1 diabetes who need greater attention, Sanofi remains focused on meeting patients' unmet medical needs," Wang said. "We will continue to advance innovation, accelerate local access, and work with all partners to help enhance China's type 1 diabetes prevention and care system."
Disease Burden in China
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease requiring lifelong insulin replacement therapy. The latest data by researchers showed that there were approximately 600,000 type 1 diabetes patients in China, ranking third globally. The disease has a high incidence among children and adolescents aged between 10 and 14.
Boao Medical Tourism Zone Impact
The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has introduced more than 480 types of innovative medicines that are already on the market abroad but not yet available in mainland China. This allows Chinese patients to access international cutting-edge therapies and medical technologies without leaving the country.
