(Yicai) July 18 -- Zenshine Pharmaceuticals has received regulatory approval in China to market its oral antiviral drug for influenza A and B, helping to ease concerns over limited flu medication supplies during seasonal outbreaks.

The National Medical Products Administration has cleared Zenshine's drug, maxeloxavir, for sale, according to the regulator’s website today.

China is expanding its portfolio of anti-influenza treatments to reduce reliance on baloxavir marboxil, the single-dose drug developed in Japan. Earlier this year, the NMPA also approved maxularavir, a next-generation flu treatment independently developed by Kerui Pharmaceutical, a unit of Qingfeng Pharmaceutical Group, for use against influenza A and B.

Zenshine’s maxeloxavir tablets are intended for adult patients with uncomplicated influenza A or B. Reports describe maxeloxavir as a next-generation antiviral that blocks polymerase acidic endonuclease, a key enzyme the flu virus uses to replicate. In addition to common strains, it also targets highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. The drug was developed by a team led by Zhang Wenhong of the National Center for Infectious Diseases and Huashan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University.

Experts said the emergence of domestic flu treatments like maxeloxavir could help mitigate potential shortages of baloxavir marboxil. Homegrown drugs may also benefit from lower logistics costs compared with imports.

However, locally made treatments still carry higher price tags. On e-commerce platforms, a pack of maxularavir tablets (two 20mg tablets) sells for around CNY320 (USD45), while some listings for baloxavir marboxil (same dosage) are priced under CNY200.

Editor: Emmi Laine