China Approves First New Alzheimer’s Drug in 17 Years
- Drug has shown to improve cognitive function in patients
- Approval is boost to China’s global scientific ambitions
Photographer: scyther5/iStockphoto via Getty Images
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China approved a drug to treat Alzheimer’s made by a Shanghai-based pharmaceutical company, the first new therapy endorsed for the disease in 17 years and a major breakthrough in the country’s push to become a leader in scientific research.
The National Medical Products Administration said in a statement on Saturday that it granted conditional approval to Oligomannate. In trials, the drug statistically improved cognitive function in patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s as early as week four, Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceuticals said in a statement.