Pathway to Approval of Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals in China

Since the late 1950s, radiopharmaceuticals have been used for diagnosis and treatment in clinical nuclear medicine in China. Over the decades, China has successfully established a relatively sophisticated system for radiopharmaceutical production and management, supported by state-of-the-art facilities. With the rapid growth of the national economy, the radiopharmaceutical market in China is expanding at a remarkable pace. This burgeoning market has led to an escalating demand for clinical-stage radiopharmaceuticals, either produced domestically or imported. Despite this positive trajectory, the development and application of radiopharmaceuticals in China have been hindered by several challenges that persist, such as inadequate research, insufficient investment, limited availability of radionuclides, shortage of trained personnel in related fields, and imperfections in policies and regulations. In an exciting development, the regulation reforms implemented since 2015 have positively affected China's drug regulatory system. The introduction of the "Mid- and Long-Term Development Plan (2021-2035) for Medical Isotopes" created concurrently an opportune environment for the advancement of innovative radiopharmaceuticals. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the approval process for novel radiopharmaceuticals by the National Medical Products Administration and the status of radiopharmaceuticals in research and development in China. Preclinical development and clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals are undergoing rapid evolution in China. As practitioners in the field in China, we provide several practical suggestions to stimulate open discussions and thoughtful consideration.