ZhongAn Insurance Covers China's First Stem Cell Therapy Drug, Reimbursement Available for Eligible Policyholders

According to media reports, the first prescription for China’s first approved stem cell drug, Aimaituosai Injection, was issued at Peking University People’s Hospital. The cost per treatment is RMB 19,800, which is only 1/70th of the price of a similar stem cell therapy with the same indication that received FDA approval in the United States just half a month ago.

The issuance of the first prescription marks the official market launch of China’s first stem cell therapy drug, providing new treatment options for relevant patients.

ZhongAn Insurance, as a strategic partner of Bosheng Biotech,Our flagship health insurance product series, "Zunxiang Yisheng" and "Zhongminbao," both provide coverage for the use of emicizumab injection when it meets the indicated medical criteria., with a maximum reimbursement rate of 100% within the scope of coverage. This alleviates the financial burden on patients, enabling them to use new drugs with confidence.

In early 2025, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) granted conditional approval for the market launch of emicizumab injection (brand name: Ruibosheng), submitted by Bosheng Excellence Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Bosheng Biotech”), through the priority review and approval process.

“Ruiboxin,” independently developed by Bosheng Biopharma, is China’s first approved stem cell therapeutic drug, indicated for the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) predominantly involving the gastrointestinal tract in patients aged 14 years and older who have failed corticosteroid therapy.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a multi-organ syndrome that occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in which donor-derived lymphocytes attack the recipient's tissues. It primarily affects the skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, and mucosal surfaces, manifesting as tissue inflammation and fibrosis. Previously, patients faced therapeutic dilemmas after failing corticosteroid treatment; the launch of this drug has brought new hope to these patients.

Additionally, as a strategic partner of Bosheng Biologics, Alibaba Health will provide support in areas such as IT-enabled traceability throughout the drug lifecycle, exclusive omnichannel distribution, and digital patient health management.

In recent years, China’s medical sector has witnessed rapid development, with advanced treatment modalities continually emerging. Coinciding with the comprehensive rollout of healthcare insurance payment reforms, the deepening of these reforms will further highlight the role of commercial health insurance within the multi-tiered medical payment system. ZhongAn Insurance has kept pace with advancements in modern medicine in its medical insurance product design. While maintaining stable and continuous operations, it sustains product competitiveness and fully leverages the supplementary role of commercial insurance to expand patient coverage for high-cost and innovative drugs.

To align with market changes driven by DRG/DIP health insurance payment reforms and enhance customer satisfaction, ZhongAn Insurance has expanded coverage for externally purchased drugs and medical devices since 2025 in its “Zunxiang E-Sheng 2025,” “Zunxiang E-Sheng Mid-to-High-End Medical Insurance,” and “Zhongminbao Mid-to-High-End Medical Insurance” products. This update breaks the traditional limitation of million-yuan medical insurance policies that primarily focus on inpatient care, while also addressing the insufficiency in patients’ claim scopes following healthcare reforms.

Upholding the philosophy of “providing insurance with warmth,” ZhongAn Insurance has undertaken various innovative initiatives in the medical insurance sector this year. In terms of coverage, it not only includes externally purchased drugs, advanced medical treatments, and special-needs medical resources, but also strengthens outpatient care by developing mid-to-high-end medical insurance products featuring zero deductibles or tiered reimbursement structures. Regarding families and customer segments, the company integrates a family-centric approach by offering shared deductibles and preferential family rates, while simultaneously developing exclusive insurance products for individuals with pre-existing conditions. On the service front, ZhongAn has built an “insurance + health management” model through comprehensive health management services—such as online consultations, seasonal medicine kits, nodule and chronic disease management, and green-channel access to medical care—thereby enhancing product competitiveness from multiple dimensions.

A representative from ZhongAn Insurance stated that the company looks forward to continuing its in-depth collaboration with Bosheng Bio, working together to explore new avenues and jointly promote inclusive insurance, thereby better serving the diverse healthcare needs of the public.