It is known from the National Health Technology Park (NHTP) that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) recently approved the launch of Class 1 innovative drug Benvitimod cream (trade name: Tapinarof).

This is a global first-in-class drug, with independent intellectual property rights, researched and developed by NHTP-based company Guangdong Zhonghao Pharmaceutical. The new drug also marks China's leading position in this field in the world.

Benvitimod is reportedly a kind of globally first-in-class new generation of small molecule chemical drug for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. It will provide a new drug therapy for adult patients with mild-to-moderate steady psoriasis vulgaris.

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease.

Benvitimod was researched and developed by a team led by Dr Chen Genghui, a national specially-invited expert. Presently, international pharmaceutical companies in Europe, America and Japan are conducting Phase III clinical research for the new drug.