Specialized needle for insulin to debut at CIIE

Japan-based medical instrument manufacturer Terumo said it will showcase two innovative products that have not yet been shown outside of the country at the highly anticipated second China International Import Expo, which opens on Tuesday.

The two products are the world's finest and shortest needle for insulin injection, which largely relieves pain for diabetes patients — especially underage sufferers — and a regenerative medical product that helps restore partial heart function for heart failure patients waiting for a transplant, said Takayoshi Mimura, chairman of the board of Terumo Corporation, during an interview on Monday.

"Both products have proven successful and popular in Japan. We've successfully accomplished 15 surgical operations for heart failure patients with the latter product, and some local Chinese governments have also expressed their interest," he said.

The latest generation of the needle for insulin injection is only 0.18 millimeters in diameter and 3 mm long. The company said it caters to diabetes patients, especially minors, who need to inject themselves several times on a daily basis.

Official figures showed China has nearly 114 million diabetes patients, and the number of teenagers suffering from type-1 diabetes has risen over the years.

"We're preparing materials for submitting market approval from the Chinese medical watchdog, and hope the product will be available to Chinese patients as soon as possible," Mimura said, adding a shorter needle will help reduce children's sense of fear.

Takanori Shibazaki, CEO of Terumo China, said the company's business in the Chinese market grew roughly 20 percent annually in the past few years, and China accounts for 8 percent of the company's global business today.

"China is the world's second-largest economy and the world's second-largest country for pharmaceuticals, and Chinese people's need for medical devices is rising and upgrading as well. China is currently and will be the most important market for our company in the long term," he said.

Talking of the second CIIE, Mimura said it was the first time the company, also a participant at the inaugural CIIE last year, gathered its entire efforts and resources to participate in an exhibition.

"We've officially submitted an application to participate in the expo in 2020 and have decided we'll continue doing so in the following year," Mimura said.