Breakthrough Innovations in Diabetes Treatment Listed as First-Line Recommendations in the Chinese Elderly Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines

The recent release of the 2024 edition of the Chinese Elderly Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines has brought attention to two groundbreaking antidiabetic medications. The pharmaceutical company, Hengrui Medicine, announced that their innovative drugs, Henagliflozin (Ruiqin®) and Linagliptin (Ruizetang®), have been included as first-line recommendations for the treatment of elderly patients with diabetes. This significant recognition underscores the growing importance of effective management of diabetes, which has become the third most prevalent chronic disease, posing serious threats to human health worldwide.

The Burden of Diabetes in China:

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in China, with over 90% of diabetes cases being type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Furthermore, the elderly population aged 65 and above accounts for 14.2% of the total population, making the management of diabetes in this age group a critical concern. The newly published guidelines, developed by the National Geriatric Medical Center, the Chinese Medical Association Geriatric Medicine Branch, and the Chinese Association of Geriatric Health Care Diabetes Committee, aim to provide practical and actionable clinical guidance to healthcare professionals, enabling standardized management and improved clinical outcomes for elderly patients with diabetes.

First-Line Recommendations in the Guidelines:

The updated 2024 edition of the guidelines maintains the recommendation of metformin (MET), sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) as first-line antidiabetic medications for elderly T2DM patients. Notably, the SGLT2i class in the guidelines now includes Henagliflozin, recommended as the preferred choice for elderly patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), high-risk factors, heart failure (HF), and chronic kidney disease. Similarly, the DPP-4i class now includes Linagliptin.

Innovative Medications:

Henagliflozin is the first domestically developed SGLT2i in China and received regulatory approval in December 2021. It is indicated for improving glycemic control in adult patients with T2DM. In January 2023, it was included in the national medical insurance catalog. SGLT2i, a novel oral antidiabetic drug class, offers both cardiorenal protection and glucose-lowering effects by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption, lowering the renal glucose threshold, and promoting urinary glucose excretion.

Linagliptin, the first domestically developed DPP-4i in China, received regulatory approval in June 2023. It is indicated for improving glycemic control in adult patients with T2DM. In December 2023, it was included in the national medical insurance catalog. DPP-4i achieves precise glucose control dependent on blood glucose levels by regulating insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon release. Importantly, DPP-4i has a unique mechanism of action and can be used in combination with other antidiabetic agents without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or gastrointestinal adverse effects. Linagliptin offers flexible dosing options, allowing for once-daily or twice-daily administration, enhancing patient compliance.

Hengrui Medicine's Commitment to Innovation:

Hengrui Medicine, as an innovative international pharmaceutical company, has been dedicated to advancing healthcare and creating a healthier life for humanity. In addition to its established presence in the field of oncology, Hengrui Medicine has been actively exploring therapeutic areas such as metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, blood disorders, pain management, and ophthalmology. With the approval of 16 category 1 innovative drugs and 4 category 2 new drugs in the domestic market, Hengrui Medicine currently has 58 innovative products under development in the field of chronic disease management.

The inclusion of Henagliflozin and Linagliptin as first-line recommendations in the Chinese Elderly Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines reflects the growing recognition and significance of these breakthrough antidiabetic medications. The guidelines provide valuable clinical guidance to healthcare professionals for the standardized management of elderly patients with diabetes, ultimately improving clinical outcomes. Hengrui Medicine's commitment to innovation and its contributions to the field of diabetes treatment highlight the company's dedication to advancing healthcare and addressing the growing challenges posed by chronic diseases like diabetes