China Approves First Homegrown GLP-1 Obesity Drug, Challenging Global Giants
Chinese pharmaceutical company Hangzhou Jiuyuan Gene Engineering has received preliminary approval in China for Maibulin, an injectable GLP‑1 agonist weight‑loss drug, marking the country’s first homegrown competitor to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s treatments.
This milestone empowers the company to introduce Maibulin in selected hospitals and clinics and aligns with China’s strategy to reduce dependency on imported medications by encouraging local production. With global demand for obesity drugs surging, the domestic rival could drive down prices and improve patient access.
 Moreover, as the patent on semaglutide expires in early 2026, companies like Innogen are accelerating late‑stage trials, underscoring an intensifying race among Chinese firms to offer affordable GLP‑1 therapies
