At the recent West China Pharmaceutical Expo (西普会) in Boao, Hainan, a major event for China's health industry, Baiyunshan and Hutchison Whampoa (Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Company Limited) officially launched their new strategic product: Baiyunshan Gold Edition Banlangen (Isatis Root) Granules (Sugar-Free). This product was introduced with a nationwide channel recruitment campaign targeting retail pharmacy chains. Leveraging the strong brand recognition of Baiyunshan Banlangen, its innovative sugar-free formula, and a comprehensive channel control system, the new product directly addresses the needs of pharmacies seeking differentiated operations and the growing population of patients with chronic conditions. It was a standout new traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) product at the Expo, focused on driving retail growth.
As a national TCM brand that has repeatedly won the "West China Gold Award" and long held a leading position in the Chinese Banlangen market, the Baiyunshan Banlangen series is a high-frequency, essential purchase for pharmacies throughout the year. The launch of the Baiyunshan Gold Edition Banlangen Granules (Sugar-Free) marks the brand's strategic response to the evolving needs of chronic disease management among consumers. The product fills a critical gap in the market for sugar-controlled individuals, creating a more comprehensive Baiyunshan Banlangen product matrix and further strengthening the company's competitive position in the respiratory heat-clearing product category.
Expanding Application Scenarios with a Sugar-Free Formula
The Baiyunshan Gold Edition Banlangen Granules (Sugar-Free) strictly adhere to the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards. It is classified as a National Medical Insurance Category A product and a National Essential Drug (National Drug Approval Number Z44023485), ensuring its quality and authority. The product replaces traditional sugar excipients with sucralose to adjust the taste, resulting in a naturally sweet, clear flavor that does not participate in human metabolism and has zero caloric intake. It also uses dextrin as a carrier, allowing for rapid dissolution and a clear, smooth solution, effectively solving common problems of traditional granules like clumping and overly sweet taste. The "sugar-free" Banlangen granules are suitable for individuals who need strict control of sugar intake, including those with diabetes, those on weight-reduction diets, the elderly, and children. Diabetic patients can take it under the guidance of a physician. Compared to ordinary Banlangen on the market, this new product can be used for multiple scenarios, including family first-aid, chronic disease management, throat care, and mild cold prevention.
In terms of raw materials and production process, the medicinal herbs used in the new product are sourced from GAP-standardized cultivation bases, ensuring full traceability from the source. The advanced manufacturing process uses a one-step granulation technique, resulting in uniform granules that dissolve quickly and are well-absorbed. Quality control is rigorous, employing fingerprint chromatography technology to precisely monitor the core antiviral and anti-inflammatory indole compounds in Banlangen, ensuring consistent efficacy across batches. Currently, Baiyunshan Banlangen holds 12 domestic invention patents and 2 international PCT patents, building a strong research and development moat for the product. The product is indicated for symptoms caused by heat in the lungs and stomach, such as swollen and sore throat, dry mouth, acute tonsillitis, and nasal congestion from influenza, with clear effects on clearing heat, cooling the blood, and relieving sore throat.
Filling a Market Gap to Meet New Health Trends
A representative from Baiyunshan and Hutchison Whampoa stated, "Baiyunshan Banlangen, as a classic national TCM product, always takes public health needs as its starting point for innovation. The launch of the Baiyunshan Gold Edition Banlangen Granules (Sugar-Free) uses a sugar-free formula to respond to the new health consumption trends in chronic disease management, filling a gap in the market." At the launch event, executives from several leading national and regional pharmacy chains attended for tasting and discussions, expressing strong confidence in the potential of the Baiyunshan Gold Edition Banlangen Granules (Sugar-Free). Feedback from attending chain representatives indicated that the sugar-free Gold Edition precisely targets people with diabetes, the elderly, and those on weight-loss programs, enriching the Baiyunshan Banlangen product line. Looking ahead, Baiyunshan and Hutchison Whampoa will use the West China Pharmaceutical Expo launch as a starting point to fully promote the national channel layout for the Baiyunshan Gold Edition Banlangen Granules (Sugar-Free). The company remains committed to continuously innovating and upgrading classic TCM products, empowering retail outlets, supporting partners, and providing high-quality TCM health solutions that better meet the needs of the entire population, thus contributing to the "Healthy China" initiative at the grassroots retail level.