French healthcare company Sanofi S.A. (Euronext Paris:SAN) (Nasdaq:SNY) announced on Friday that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has approved Dupixent (dupilumab) as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterised by raised blood eosinophils.

Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Sanofi and US biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:REGN) under a global collaboration agreement.

The approval in China follows EU approval of Dupixent for adults with COPD with raised blood eosinophils. The decision was based on two landmark phase 3 studies showing Dupixent significantly reduced exacerbations, improved lung function, and also improved health-related quality of life.

COPD is the most prevalent chronic respiratory disease in China and is a priority within the government's Healthy China 2030 public health plan. Dupixent is now approved in four indications across respiratory and dermatological diseases in China.