317 articles
Qizhi Yishen capsules
Qizhi Yishen capsules (芪蛭益肾胶囊), a Class 1.1 innovative Chinese medicine by Shandong Phoenix Pharmaceutical approved November 2021 for early diabetic kidney disease with qi-yin deficiency pattern; first such TCM drug, reimbursed nationally since 2023.
Quinagolide
Quinagolide (CV 205-502, Norprolac) is a non-ergot selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist taken once daily for hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma, mainly in Europe; UK tablets discontinued in 2026.
Quinestrol
Quinestrol is a long-acting synthetic estrogen, the 3-cyclopentyl ether of ethinyl estradiol, formerly marketed as Estrovis and now used mainly in rodent fertility control research.
Ragaglitazar
Ragaglitazar, (−) DRF 2725, NNC 61-0029, a dual PPARα/γ agonist for type 2 diabetes from Dr. Reddy's and Novo Nordisk; effective on glucose and lipids but discontinued in 2003 over rat urothelial tumors.
Ramulus Mori (mulberry twig) total alkaloids tablets
Ramulus Mori (mulberry twig) total alkaloids tablets (桑枝总生物碱片, Sangbo'en), China's first original natural glucose-lowering drug, approved 17 March 2020 for type 2 diabetes; α-glucosidase inhibitor from mulberry twigs, non-inferior to acarbose with fewer GI reactions.
Ranirestat
Ranirestat (AS-3201) is an oral aldose reductase inhibitor developed by Sumitomo Pharma and Kyorin for diabetic neuropathy; it reached phase 3 trials, improved nerve conduction velocity but not symptom scores, and development was discontinued in 2016.
RAY1225
RAY1225 is an investigational biweekly GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist injection by Guangdong Raynovent Biotech (Zhongsheng Pharma), in phase 3 for obesity and type 2 diabetes, with phase 2 weight loss up to 21.18% at 24 weeks.
RBD5044
RBD5044: GalNAc-conjugated siRNA by Suzhou Ribo Life Science targeting ApoC3 for hypertriglyceridemia; second ApoC3 siRNA in clinic; phase 1 cut ApoC3 up to 84% and triglycerides up to 70%; phase 2 trials in Sweden and China.
RBD7022 (QLC7401)
RBD7022, known as QLC7401 in Greater China, is a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA targeting PCSK9 mRNA to lower LDL cholesterol, developed by Suzhou Ribo Life Science and licensed to Qilu Pharmaceutical.
RBx-10558
RBx-10558 (PPD-10558) was a Ranbaxy-discovered HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor statin for dyslipidemia, licensed to PPD/Furiex in 2007; its Phase 2b trial in statin-associated myalgia (NCT01279590, 282 patients) missed its endpoint and development stopped in 2011.
Recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (Zelgen)
Recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) is an injectable drug that raises TSH in thyroid cancer patients so radioiodine scans and thyroglobulin testing work without stopping thyroid hormone pills.
Reloxaliase
Reloxaliase (ALLN-177) is an oral recombinant oxalate decarboxylase enzyme developed by Allena Pharmaceuticals to treat enteric hyperoxaluria; URIROX-1 showed reduced urinary oxalate, but the phase 3 URIROX-2 trial was terminated.
Retagliptin and metformin tablets
Retagliptin and metformin tablets (瑞格列汀二甲双胍片, Ruilintang) is a Hengrui Category 1 fixed-dose combination of the DPP-4 inhibitor retagliptin 50 mg and metformin 850 mg, approved in China in May 2025 for type 2 diabetes adults.
Retagliptin phosphate
Retagliptin phosphate (瑞泽唐) is a DPP-4 inhibitor by Jiangsu Hengrui, approved by China's NMPA in June 2023 as a Category 1 drug for adult type 2 diabetes; China's first domestically developed gliptin.
Retagliptin, henagliflozin, and metformin tablets
Henagliflozin/retagliptin/metformin extended-release tablets (恒格列净瑞格列汀二甲双胍缓释片), a Hengrui once-daily triple fixed-dose combination for type 2 diabetes, NMPA-approved 21 October 2025; phase 3 showed HbA1c reductions of 1.51–1.54% at 24 weeks.
RGT-075 (oral GLP-1R agonist)
RGT-075 (RGT001-075) is Regor Therapeutics' oral, once-daily small-molecule full agonist of the GLP-1 receptor, discovered via its CARD platform, in phase 2b/3 trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes after 5% placebo-adjusted weight loss in phase 2a.
Rivoglitazone
Rivoglitazone (CS-011), a potent PPARγ-agonist thiazolidinedione developed by Daiichi Sankyo for type 2 diabetes; reached phase III with HbA1c reductions superior to pioglitazone but was discontinued in 2009 and never marketed.
Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin, sold as Crestor, is a statin drug that blocks HMG-CoA reductase to lower cholesterol, first approved in the United States in 2003 for people at elevated cardiovascular risk.
Saroglitazar
Saroglitazar (Lipaglyn) is a dual PPAR α/γ agonist by Zydus, approved in India in 2013 for diabetic dyslipidemia and in 2020 for NAFLD; not FDA approved, with a PBC NDA under Priority Review.
Saxagliptin anhydrous
Saxagliptin anhydrous (BMS-477118, CAS 361442-04-8) is the anhydrous form of saxagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes marketed as the monohydrate; FDA approved 2009 as Onglyza, with increased heart failure hospitalization risk in SAVOR-TIMI 53.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) is a Novo Nordisk GLP-1 receptor agonist approved since 2017 for type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk reduction, and chronic kidney disease, with oral and injectable forms.
Sepiapterin
Sepiapterin (Sephience, PTC923) is an oral BH4-precursor drug for phenylketonuria, approved in the EU (June 2025) and US (July 2025); it lowers blood phenylalanine more than sapropterin in head-to-head trials.
Sermorelin acetate
Sermorelin acetate (Geref), a 29-amino-acid GHRH analogue stimulating pituitary growth hormone release; FDA-approved 1990 and 1997, withdrawn 2009 for commercial reasons, now compounded only.
Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide (IMCIVREE), an MC4R agonist cyclic peptide by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, treats rare genetic obesity (POMC, PCSK1, LEPR deficiency, Bardet-Biedl syndrome) and acquired hypothalamic obesity via daily subcutaneous injection, first FDA-approved 2020.
Sevelamer
Sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela) is a non-absorbed, calcium-free crosslinked polyallylamine phosphate binder controlling hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients; hydrochloride salt approved 2000, carbonate 2007, with GI side effects and bile-acid and drug binding.
SGLT2 inhibitor
SGLT2 inhibitors, or gliflozins (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin), are diabetes drugs that block renal glucose reabsorption, causing glucosuria; developed from phlorizin, they now also treat heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Shr-4640
Shr-4640 (ruzinaurad, brand Ruiming 瑞鸣) is Hengrui's oral URAT1 inhibitor for gout with hyperuricemia, approved by China's NMPA on May 28, 2026 as the first domestically developed URAT1 inhibitor; phase 3 showed 52.6% vs 34.5% target attainment.
Simvastatin
Simvastatin, sold as Zocor, is a statin drug developed by Merck and approved in 1991 that lowers LDL cholesterol by blocking HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme behind cholesterol synthesis.
Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin (Januvia, Merck) is the first approved DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes, FDA-approved October 2006; TECOS showed cardiovascular noninferiority and no heart failure risk versus placebo.
SJ02
SJ02, sold as Slonva (晟诺娃), is a long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone drug approved in China in August 2025, where one injection replaces the first seven days of daily FSH injections in fertility treatment.