China’s National Medical Products Administration has approved Shionogi’s Symproic for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation, introducing the first stand-alone peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist for the condition in the country.

The approval provides a targeted treatment option for patients who develop constipation while receiving opioid therapy, a common complication that can affect treatment adherence and quality of life, particularly among people with cancer requiring pain management.

Symproic, also known as naldemedine, belongs to a class of medicines known as peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists, which are designed to relieve opioid-induced constipation without interfering with pain relief provided by opioid medicines.

According to GlobalData, the approval follows Phase 3 clinical data demonstrating improvements in bowel movement frequency and patient-reported outcomes and expands the availability of the therapy beyond markets including Japan, the US and Europe.

The market intelligence company noted that Shionogi is working with Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical to commercialise the therapy in mainland China.

Abhishake Peyyeti, pharma analyst at GlobalData, said: “This approval marks a significant milestone in the Shionogi’s Asia-Pacific expansion strategy and reinforces its position in the growing supportive oncology care market.”

He added: “China represents one of the largest untapped opportunities for prescription OIC therapies. Rising cancer incidence, increasing opioid utilization for cancer pain management, and growing physician awareness of quality-of-life outcomes are creating favorable market dynamics for targeted OIC treatments.”

Opioid-induced constipation is one of the most common adverse effects associated with opioid analgesics and may require long-term management in patients receiving chronic pain treatment. The approval of Symproic expands the range of therapies available in China specifically designed to address this complication while maintaining analgesic efficacy.