China NMPA Approves Milestone Pharmaceuticals' Etripamil
Key Insights
China's NMPA has approved Milestone Pharmaceuticals' etripamil nasal spray for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (search), the first regulatory approval for the drug anywhere.
The approval triggered a $2 million milestone payment to Milestone Pharmaceuticals, strengthening the company's liquidity position and highlighting the Chinese market's importance.
Etripamil remains under regulatory review in Western markets including the United States, with the China decision seen as validation of the clinical data.
China's National Medical Products Administration (search) (NMPA) has approved Milestone Pharmaceuticals' etripamil nasal spray for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (search) (PSVT), according to MarketBeat. The decision, reported on 3 September 2026, triggered a $2 million milestone payment to the company and marks the first regulatory approval of etripamil in any market, moving the drug from clinical development into the commercial phase.
Etripamil remains in the regulatory process in Western markets such as the United States, where the company has yet to secure approval. The China decision is viewed as validation of the clinical data and as a potential opening for further partnerships. Milestone reported low single-digit million USD quarterly revenue in the second quarter of 2026, with a net loss also in the millions on high research and development spending, and a cash position in the double-digit millions against a similar quarterly operating cash burn.
The company's pipeline depends heavily on etripamil as a single lead product, with regulatory uncertainty in the core US and European markets cited as a key risk. Failure or delay in further approval applications or slower commercial uptake could pressure the current liquidity base sooner than calculated and require additional capital measures.