United States-based Eli Lilly and Innovent Biologics, a domestic biopharmaceutical company, jointly announced that Sintilimab injection, a PD-1 inhibitor, has been approved to treat gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma by China's National Medical Products Administration.

According to the approval released on Friday, the injected drug shall be used in combination with other medicines for first-line treatment of unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

As co-developers of the drug, the two companies said that it is the first domestic PD-1 inhibitor approved for first-line treatment of gastric cancer.

It is the sixth indication of Sintilimab being approved in China. The drug has also become the only PD-1 inhibitor approved for first-line treatment in five tumor types with high incidence in China, according to the companies.

Gastrointestinal cancers are a health threat in China. The approval of the drug for gastric cancer marks another milestone, said Julio Gay-Ger, president and general manager of Lilly China.

"So far, the drug has covered major cancer types, including lymphoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer and gastric cancer, benefiting millions of Chinese patients," he said.

"With our commitment to oncology, Lilly strives to bring high-quality and affordable innovative drugs to Chinese cancer patients through both independent R&D and local partnerships. We look forward to continually working with our partner Innovent in bringing more innovative anti-tumor drugs to Chinese patients," he said.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn