Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("the Company") recently received marketing approval for its Insulin Aspart Injection from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of the Dominican Republic. This approval marks another major breakthrough for the Company in the Latin American market, signaling further tangible progress on its expansion in emerging markets.

Located on the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is the largest economy in the Caribbean and one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, with a population of about 10.76 million in 2024. In recent years, healthcare demand in the country has continued to rise. According to the 11th edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Global Diabetes Atlas (2024), there were about 1.20 million diabetes patients aged 20 to 79 in the Dominican Republic, with a prevalence rate of 16.6%. Among these, undiagnosed cases accounted for a high proportion, reaching 42.8%. The average annual expenditure per patient related to diabetes is 1,353.9 US dollars. The Company's insulin aspart injection will provide local patients with diabetes with additional treatment options, improve access to treatment, and help meet the country's growing demand for diabetes care.

The approval of the Company's insulin aspart injection in the Dominican Republic reflects its accelerated global expansion and has multiple positive implications for advancing its internationalization strategy. Geographically, this is the Company's first approval for an insulin product in the Caribbean. Together with prior approvals in Uzbekistan (Central Asia), Nicaragua (Central America), Myanmar, and Indonesia (Southeast Asia), it forms a complementary regional layout, further strengthening the Company's coverage across key markets along the Belt and Road. In terms of product portfolio, this approval further consolidates the Company's transition from an export model focused solely on human insulin drug substances to a more competitive overseas product portfolio combining drug substances and drug products. It also provides a reference pathway for replicating market access experience and accelerating market penetration in Latin America and other emerging markets.

Since the beginning of this year, the Company's insulin products have been approved for marketing in five countries, underscoring its comprehensive capabilities in quality management systems and international registration filings. Upholding the philosophy of "building a global brand through continuous innovation", the Company remains committed to an internationalization strategy centered on a full product portfolio. It will continue to expand global sales opportunities while helping more patients worldwide benefit from high-quality, accessible diabetes treatment products.