China is signalling its intention to gradually re-open its borders amid real-world data showing few mild-to-moderate cases progress to severe symptoms. Meanwhile, Pfizer's Paxlovid is seemingly struggling to gain traction amid use guideline changes.

The role of a traditional Chinese medicine provided to the general public in China to fend off COVID-19 is controversial given limited evidence and even misleading, some say.

Simcere is weighing options for SIM0417 in a Phase I trial in China as the first major domestically-developed potential rival to Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid. The study is likely to include wider patient groups ranging from those without symptoms to severe patients.