速递|14.2亿元甩卖口服胰岛素梦:华润踩雷十年止损

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the divestment of a 17.87% stake in Tianmai Biotechnology by China Resources Pharmaceutical, marking a significant shift in strategy after a decade of investment in oral insulin, which has faced multiple setbacks and challenges in commercialization [5][9]. Group 1: Company Background and Investment History - China Resources Pharmaceutical began its investment in Tianmai Biotechnology in 2016, focusing on the development and commercialization of insulin and its analogs, particularly oral insulin [5]. - The initial optimism surrounding oral insulin was based on its potential to improve patient compliance by replacing injections with oral administration, thus expanding the user base [5][6]. Group 2: Challenges Faced - The development of oral insulin has proven to be extremely challenging due to the instability of insulin in the gastrointestinal tract and the difficulty in achieving stable bioavailability [6]. - Tianmai faced delays in obtaining necessary approvals for injectable insulin, and the introduction of centralized procurement in China significantly altered the market dynamics, leading to price reductions and increased competition from larger players [6][7]. Group 3: Recent Developments and Strategic Shift - In 2023, Oramed's failure to meet primary and secondary endpoints in Phase III trials for ORM-0801 posed a significant setback for the oral insulin narrative, leading to diminished investor confidence and uncertainty regarding future funding [9]. - Following these developments, China Resources Pharmaceutical opted to divest its stake in Tianmai, indicating a strategic pivot towards more certain and commercially viable products, such as a partnership with Borui Pharmaceutical for BGM0504 [10]. Group 4: Market Context and Future Outlook - The divestment reflects a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry where large companies are increasingly focused on maximizing returns on capital and minimizing exposure to high-risk projects [11]. - Despite the withdrawal from oral insulin, the article suggests that there may still be potential for value in Tianmai, as the company explores new avenues such as GLP-1 analogs, although the competitive landscape has become significantly more challenging [10][11].