Tipoline approved in China: the world's first drug for the treatment of OSA, how it will change the fate of hundreds of millions of patients

July 4, 2025

OSA: A hidden health threat during sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disease characterized by repeated nocturnal apnea. About 425 million people worldwide suffer from it, of which 176 million are in China. For a long time, OSA treatment has relied on weight loss and ventilators, but patient compliance is poor and the efficacy is limited. Recently, Eli Lilly's tirzepatide Approved by the China Food and Drug Administration, it has become the first and only drug in China for the treatment of obesity-related OSA in adults, marking a new stage in the treatment of OSA.

The harm of OSA: a health crisis far beyond snoring

OSA is not just snoring at night, its harm involves multiple systems of the body:

● Cardiovascular risk : The risk of stroke in OSA patients is 4.33 times that of ordinary people, and the mortality rate is 1.98 times higher.

● Metabolic effects : closely related to obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

● Decreased quality of life : daytime sleepiness, decreased cognitive function, and even increased risk of traffic accidents.

Traditional treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (PAP) A mask needs to be worn at night, and weight loss relies on long-term self-discipline, which many patients find difficult to adhere to, leading to continued deterioration of the disease.

Tipoline: The world's first breakthrough in the treatment of OSA

1. International recognition: FDA first, China follows

In December 2023, the U.S. FDA approved tepoxetine for the treatment of OSA, making it the world's first drug for this indication. In 2024, the China Food and Drug Administration officially approved its marketing based on the SURMOUNT-OSA Phase 3 clinical trial data.

2. Clinical trial data: significant improvement in apnea

● Study design : 469 patients with moderate to severe OSA were divided into a group not receiving PAP treatment and a group currently receiving PAP treatment.

● Efficacy results :

○ Reduction in apnea index (AHI) : The telportide group reduced by 25 times/hour, which was 4.8~5.3 times that of the placebo group.

○ Symptom relief rate : 43% of patients not using PAP and 52% of patients with combined PAP treatment achieved complete relief or mild OSA, while only 15% of the placebo group.

○ Weight loss effect : The average weight loss was 17.7%~19.6%, far exceeding the 1.6%~2.3% of the placebo group.

3. Treatment advantages: high compliance and double benefits

● One injection per week , no need to wear a ventilator at night, greatly improving patient compliance.

● It takes into account both weight loss and OSA improvement , and is especially suitable for patients with obesity-related OSA.

Tipovidone vs. traditional treatment: Why it is a new option

Treatment	Advantages	limitation
Telportide	One injection per week, high remission rate, significant weight loss effect	Prescription required, expensive
PAP machine	Directly improve nocturnal hypoxia	Uncomfortable wearing and low long-term compliance
lose weight	Improves overall health	Slow onset of effect, limited effect in severe patients

A new era in OSA treatment

Eli Lilly's global senior vice president said: "The approval of telportipadine fills the gap in OSA drug treatment and provides a new solution for nearly 200 million Chinese patients." In the future, "drug + lifestyle intervention" May become the new standard for OSA treatment.

From no cure to precise treatment, OSA patients have new hope

The launch of telportide not only rewrites the history of OSA treatment, but also provides patients with a more convenient and efficient option. With the popularization of clinical applications, the management of OSA will enter a new stage, helping hundreds of millions of people regain healthy sleep.