As China's only "medical special zone," the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has achieved "three synchronizations" in medical technology, equipment, and pharmaceuticals with global advanced standards, thanks to its policy advantages such as "special medical treatment, special research, special operations, and special international medical exchanges." It has become a vital gateway for Chinese patients to access internationally innovative drugs and devices without leaving the country.
In January this year, Novo Nordisk's (NVO.US) long-acting growth hormone—Pasi Growth Hormone Injection—was introduced as a clinically urgent drug at Boao Future Hospital (Lecheng Branch of Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center) and officially entered clinical use in May. So far, the drug has benefited over 20 children aged 4.5 to 14.5 with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Follow-up data shows an average height increase of 3-4 cm within three months, providing a new treatment option for GHD patients in China.
But why introduce Pasi Growth Hormone Injection when China already has domestic long-acting growth hormone options? The answer lies in its distinct technological approach, offering new advantages in efficacy and safety.
While China approved its first domestic long-acting growth hormone—pegylated recombinant human growth hormone injection—in 2014 for treating growth disorders in children due to endogenous growth hormone deficiency, the newly introduced Pasi Growth Hormone Injection differs significantly in its core technology.
Domestic drugs primarily use polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification to increase molecular size and solubility, slowing renal clearance and extending half-life. In contrast, Pasi Growth Hormone Injection employs a well-established fatty acid acylation technology with 36 years of global application. This technology modifies the GH molecule via a single amino acid substitution and reversible binding to endogenous albumin, avoiding interference with the drug’s bioactivity and biodistribution while prolonging its half-life and duration of action—enabling once-weekly dosing.
This method has been successfully applied in multiple classic drugs, including insulin detemir and semaglutide, demonstrating its reliability and efficacy. Moreover, Pasi Growth Hormone closely resembles natural human growth hormone, with prolonged metabolism primarily dependent on endogenous albumin. Seven years of clinical trials and real-world observations confirm its favorable safety profile.
**Clear and Controlled Metabolism Meets High International Standards** Under the stringent criteria of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), an ideal drug should be fully metabolized and excreted, with total radioactive recovery in urine and feces ideally exceeding 90% of the administered dose. Studies show that over 94% of Pasi Growth Hormone components are excreted via urine and feces by day 28, surpassing the EMA’s 90% threshold.
Metabolic pathway analysis confirms complete drug breakdown without accumulation risks, primarily eliminated through urine and feces—providing solid scientific backing for long-term safety and greater parental confidence.
**Proven Efficacy, Safety, and Superior Convenience** Pasi Growth Hormone Injection’s key advantages include its reliable efficacy, excellent safety, and significantly improved treatment convenience. As a long-acting formulation, it reduces annual injections from 365 (daily) to just 52 (weekly), greatly easing the treatment burden on children and families while enhancing compliance for better outcomes.
A seven-year global follow-up study confirms steady annual height increases with good safety. Data from Chinese patients shows an average height gain of ~11.0 cm per year. Early results at Lecheng Pilot Zone demonstrate 3-4 cm growth within three months, preliminarily validating its efficacy.
Safety-wise, Pasi Growth Hormone presents no new risks compared to daily injections. Reported adverse effects (e.g., fever, nasopharyngitis, gastroenteritis) are common childhood illnesses with minimal drug correlation, maintaining a safety profile similar to traditional short-acting growth hormones.
**Conclusion** Despite existing domestic long-acting growth hormone options, China’s introduction of Pasi Growth Hormone Injection via Boao Lecheng reflects its mature technology, proven clinical value, and international safety standards—offering families more choices. Its fatty acid acylation technology is reliable, with superior metabolic clearance exceeding EU benchmarks. Global and local data consistently affirm its efficacy and convenience.
By introducing Pasi Growth Hormone, Lecheng Pilot Zone not only provides better treatment for GHD children but also underscores China’s commitment to synchronizing global medical resources for patient benefit.
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