BMP Sunstone Drug Recommended for Induction of Labor in China

The recently renamed BMP Sunstone Corporation (BJGP) (formerly Beijing Med-Pharm) reported that Propess received a recommendation as the first-line treatment for labor induction in late-stage pregnancy. The recommendation came from the Obstetrics Group at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.

BMP Sunstone began its efforts to sell and market Propess in China in 2005, after licensing the drug from its manufacturer, Cytokine PharmaSciences, Inc. of Pennsylvania. In the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Propress is marketed as Cervidil.

The Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published Guidelines for Labor Induction in Late-Stage Pregnancy in January. The Guidelines recommended Propess[R] as the first choice for cervical ripening; the review also provided details on dosage and agent-delivery.

BMP Sunstone said that it was selling Propess to 421 Chinese hospitals. The drug is approved for use in over 50 countries around the world.

Disclosure: none.