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Zambon Announces Approval and Launch in China of the Intravenous Formulation of Fluimucil® (N-acetylcysteine)

Zambon Announces Approval and Launch in China of the Intravenous Formulation of Fluimucil® (N-acetylcysteine)

MILAN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 24, 2025--
Zambon, a multinational chemical-pharmaceutical company founded on the history and values of an Italian family and committed to innovate cure and care to make patients' lives better, announces the approval by Chinese regulatory authorities and the launch on the Chinese market of the intravenous (IV) formulation of Fluimucil® (N-acetylcysteine). This milestone marks a significant step in the company's commitment to global therapeutic innovation in respiratory diseases, reflecting its dedicated focus on both clinical research and patient care.
Already available in several international markets, Fluimucil® IV represents a new option for Chinese patients, where it can provide an important hospital-based therapeutic option for treating respiratory diseases characterized by excessive mucus secretion.
The approval in China follows a locally conducted clinical development program, a Phase 1 and a Phase 3 clinical trial that confirmed the drug's safety, tolerability, and efficacy profile.
The Phase 1 pharmacokinetics and tolerability study1 of Fluimucil® IV in healthy volunteers, run at the Ruijin Hospital affiliated with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and led by Prof. Yaozong Yuan, showed that single and multiple 600 mg doses of Fluimucil® IV were well tolerated and free from significant adverse events 2.
A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial3 - started in June 2019 and concluded in February 2021 - involving 333 adult patients with respiratory diseases and abnormal mucus secretions across 28 hospital centers in China, and led by Prof. Jieming Qu, demonstrated that Fluimucil® IV (600 mg, twice daily) was significantly superior to placebo and non-inferior to intravenous ambroxol hydrochloride in reducing sputum viscosity and improving ease of expectoration after 7 days of treatment. The data also demonstrate that the drug is well tolerated 4.
' The approval of Fluimucil® IV in China is a major recognition of the scientific rigor with which we conducted the clinical trials and the quality of our collaboration with local research centers,' said Paola Castellani, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at Zambon. ' We would like to sincerely express our gratitude to patients participating in our clinical studies, as well as to investigators for their commitment. '
' We are proud to celebrate the 60 th anniversary of Fluimucil® by making its intravenous formulation available in China, confirming the long-standing efficacy of this molecule,' said Giovanni Magnaghi, CEO of Zambon. ' This approval is the result of a joint effort with local scientific communities and reinforces our commitment and sense of responsibility to improving patients' quality of life. '
The intravenous formulation of Fluimucil® will initially be distributed in a selection of Chinese hospitals and represents another step forward in Zambon's expansion strategy in the Chinese market.
For further information on Zambon please visit www.zambon.com
1Study Details | A Study to Evaluate Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Single and Multiple Intravenous Doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in Chinese Healthy Volunteers | ClinicalTrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03881163
2 Sun J, Zhang X, Wang L, Di Stefano A F D, Zanin V, Magrone P, Yuan Y : Phase I study of the pharmacokinetics and safety of single and multiple doses of intravenous N-acetylcysteine in healthy Chinese subjects:https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/12103-12111-1.pdf
3Study Details | A Clinical Trial to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of 1-week Treatment of Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg Twice Daily, Ambroxol Hydrochloride 30 mg Twice Daily and Placebo as Expectorant Therapies in Adult Chinese Patients With Respiratory Tract Diseases and Abnormal Mucus Secretions | ClinicalTrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03843541
4 Tang W, Zhu D, Wu F, Xu J-F, Yang J-P, Deng Z-P, Chen X-B, Papi A, Qu J-M Intravenous N-acetylcysteine in respiratory disease with abnormal mucus secretion: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/5119-5127.pdf
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250618274587/en/
CONTACT: Media Contacts
Marco Allegrini, Corporate Communications
[email protected]
KEYWORD: CHINA EUROPE ITALY ASIA PACIFIC
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH HOSPITALS OTHER HEALTH OTHER SCIENCE CLINICAL TRIALS SCIENCE PHARMACEUTICAL
SOURCE: Zambon
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 06/24/2025 04:00 AM/DISC: 06/24/2025 04:01 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250618274587/en
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Does acupressure help you sleep better? I asked two experts — this is what they said
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When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In a time where we're bombarded with social media trends for sleep like April Theory and the 'sleepy girl mocktail,' it can be easy to forget that there are some methods you can use to help with your slumber that have been around for thousands of years. Like acupressure, a non-invasive, ancient traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the use of pressure on the face and body at certain points, some of which are used to help with sleep. Research has shown that acupressure can help with sleep, from reducing insomnia, to improving sleep quality in hospital patients and even contributing to better sleep in menopausal women. Here, we'll explore this research and the potential benefits of acupressure for sleep, as well as speaking to experts in the field to find out about what acupressure is, and how you can even practice it in the comfort of your own home. What is acupressure and how does it work? "Acupressure is a non-invasive traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses pressure on the face and body at specific points known as acupoints," says registered acupuncturist Lily Lai, who has a PhD in Chinese Medicine in Primary Care and offers acupressure at her UK clinic. "Pressure is applied in a variety of ways – most commonly finger pressure is used as well as tools," she adds. Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM), Dr. Haley Parker, who is a licensed acupuncturist and the Director of Clinical Operations at VUIM Clinic (Virginia University of Integrative Medicine), explains that in acupressure, gentle sustained pressure is applied to "specific points along the body's meridians — energy channels that correspond to organs and systems." "It's based on the same principles as acupuncture, but instead of using needles, you use fingers, palms, elbows, or tools to stimulate the points," Dr. Parker explains. 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Dr. Parker says it can support sleep "by calming the nervous system, easing physical tension, and regulating the underlying organ systems that influence rest." She notes that the best combination of acupressure points for sleep depends on what the individual is experiencing and that a personal point prescription would then be selected to "to support the patient and the present symptoms, like insomnia and restlessness." However, she shares the following common points and how they work from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective: "Shenmen (HT7 – Heart 7): Located on the wrist crease, this point is often used for insomnia, anxiety and emotional restlessness. It calms the Shen (spirit), helping to settle racing thoughts and reduce overactivity of the Heart system, which in TCM can disturb sleep." "Yintang ('Third Eye'): Found between the eyebrows, this point is deeply calming and is known to relieve stress, quiet the mind and support melatonin production through relaxation of the pineal and hypothalamic areas." "Anmian ('Peaceful Sleep'): A lesser-known but effective point located behind the ear, Anmian is used specifically for sleep disturbances, helping to ground the nervous system and encourage deeper, more sustained rest." "Sanyinjiao (SP6 – Spleen 6): Located on the inner lower leg, this point supports hormonal regulation and helps harmonize the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems. These organs play key roles in emotional regulation and sleep according to TCM." 2. Reduces stress and anxiety Anxiety can mean that worries, racing thoughts and restlessness make it particularly hard to fall asleep. Lai says that one of the common causes of sleeplessness is stress and anxiety, and points to a systematic review and meta-analysis of research which showed acupressure can significantly reduce anxiety. Acupressure can significantly reduce anxiety "Studies suggest that acupressure and acupuncture work in similar ways by encouraging the body to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin," says Dr. Parker. "both of which are mood elevators and play a major role in sleepregulation via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis," she explains. "Acupressure may also be increasing parasympathetic nervous activity, the rest-and-digest part of our nervous system which takes the body away from being in the sympathetic nervous system state, the fight-or-flight response," Lai adds. She says that these calming, anxiety-reducing effects of acupressure can help sleep by improving both sleep latency, and sleep duration. 2. Helps to ease insomnia Those who have experienced either short-term (several days or weeks) or chronic insomnia (lasting three months or more), know that it doesn't just interfere with your sleep. It can also cause issues including irritability, fatigue and problems with focus the next day. But research shows that acupressure may be a tool you can include to combat it. One study compared the effect of acupressure on those with insomnia, with 200 participants divided into a group who were taught self-administered acupressure, and a group who were given sleep hygiene education. They found that those who had learned acupressure had improved Insomnia Severity Index scores after both four weeks and eight weeks, compared to the other group. Auricular acupressure, which focuses on pressure points on the ear, has been shown in a number of studies to help with insomnia. One review of studies looking at how effective auricular acupressure is as a treatment for insomnia concluded that, "the effects of auricular acupressure on insomnia are comparable to those of estazolam," which is a medication used short-term for treating insomnia. And while Dr. Parker noted above that acupressure be used to help with sleep issues like insomnia, she also explains that, "lack of sleep/insomnia is often a symptom of an underlying imbalance." "There are also lifestyle factors and habits that should be addressed to support a restful nights sleep (examples include limiting screen time before bed, limit caffeine after 3pm in the afternoon, eliminate noises and lights in the bedroom, try to go to bed at a regular time each night etc)," she explains. 3. 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Lying on one for 10–20 minutes can help reduce muscular tension and promote parasympathetic nervous system activation—ideal for winding down." "Partner massage: Light massage focusing on the neck, shoulders, and feet can activate calming points. Adding lavender oil or calming music can enhance the effect." "Breathing with pressure: Combine acupressure with slow, deep breathing to amplify relaxation. Inhale deeply, press a calming point (like Yintang), and exhale slowly." Acupressure mats like the Shakti mat and Pranamat have become popular options to try at home, and both promise to help improve your sleep after just 20 minutes use. Pranamat even cites stats from Dr. Marek Dvořák's sleep tracker, which show that after using the Pranamat 20 minutes before sleep, his REM sleep increased by 2%, deep sleep increased by 7% and light sleep was reduced by 10%. 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