A pharmacist takes drugs at a hospital in Beijing. [Photo/VCG]

BEIJING - Thanks to a key research program, nine Class I new drugs have been approved in 2018, an official of the National Health Commission said on Feb 22.

Class I new drugs refer to those which have never been marketed in China or overseas.

Yang Qing, head of the health science, technology and education division of the commission, revealed the information at the launching ceremony of Tyvyt, a newly approved domestic cancer drug.

A special key program on developing new drugs was launched in 2008, which has supported over 1,900 projects and produced 38 Class I new drugs.

The central government has invested nearly 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) in the program, attracting another 200 billion yuan of investment from local governments and enterprises.