Gao DeMei China's General Manager Lei Hongyu: Chinese consumers are becoming increasingly mature, raising higher demands for the entire industry

An international professional dermatology company, Swiss-based Gedeon, has launched a new product again, this time in the field of skin treatment.

On March 28, 2026, Gedeon announced that its Epiduo (brand name: Epiduo, generic name: Adapalene Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) was officially commercially launched in China.

This medication is suitable for skin treatment of acne vulgaris in adults, adolescents, and children aged 9 and above, with symptoms of pimples, papules, and pustules. As the first and only approved combination formulation of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide in the Chinese market, Epiduo requires only once daily application, shows effects within a week at the earliest, and does not lead to bacterial resistance.

Currently, this treatment has been recommended by authoritative guidelines in China, the US, the UK, and Japan, benefiting over 34 million acne patients overseas.

Gedeon has always built its foundation on dermatological science, creating three major business segments: injection aesthetics, daily skincare, and skin treatment. With precise market demand targeting, it continues to expand its market share. With the official commercial launch of Epiduo in China, its product matrix in the Chinese market has gained another key player.

1. Epiduo’s launch in China marks the beginning of a “fast” era for acne treatment with combination topical drugs

It is understood that common acne is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin diseases worldwide, with an incidence rate of 8.1% in China. Although there have been treatment options available in the market previously, actual treatment faces many pain points.

Research shows that 94% of patients hope to see results within 10 days, but 44% stop medication early due to lack of quick results, with relapse rates after initial treatment reaching as high as 52%. This creates a vicious cycle of “slow onset → early discontinuation → worsening relapse → loss of confidence → difficulty maintaining treatment.”

To date, Epiduo is the first and only approved original research combination gel of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% in China.

Its innovation lies in targeting the key pathological process of acne development, achieving synergistic effects of the two components with dual anti-inflammatory action. Adapalene can regulate abnormal keratinization of hair follicles and exert anti-inflammatory effects, while benzoyl peroxide can kill proliferating Propionibacterium acnes and further reduce inflammation.

The combination design not only avoids the complexity of patients self-medicating with multiple drugs but also, according to clinical studies, poses no risk of antibiotic resistance, with good tolerability. Its overall safety profile is comparable to that of adapalene alone, with adverse reactions mainly occurring early in treatment and usually resolving on their own.

Additionally, Epiduo uses an innovative pump packaging, with about 0.5 mL gel per pump, making application simple and helping patients use it correctly. Its patented SIMULGEL®600 gel technology effectively solves the stability issues of combining two ingredients, ensuring consistent dosing each time.

As an innovative topical combination product, Epiduo can act within a week to accelerate lesion clearance and has a synergistic effect on acne treatment. Its efficacy has been validated by high-level global evidence-based medicine data and is recommended as a first-line treatment in authoritative guidelines such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the UK’s NICE.

Image / Ms. Lei Hongyu, General Manager of Gedeon China, delivering a speech

Ms. Lei Hongyu, General Manager of Gedeon China, stated: “The introduction of this globally innovative treatment, Epiduo, will help Chinese doctors provide better options for acne patients. Since 1998, Gedeon has launched multiple skin treatment products in China, including Daphon, Bansai, and Roremel. The launch of Epiduo further enriches Gedeon’s skin treatment portfolio in China and will benefit more patients through scientifically driven skin health solutions.”

Professor Xiang Leihong, Director of Dermatology at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, pointed out: “A large multicenter randomized controlled phase III clinical trial involving 1,670 patients showed that the combination topical treatment of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide can reduce 20% of inflammatory lesions within one week, with significantly better efficacy than monotherapy. Patients can see results early in treatment, which enhances their confidence.”

2. Pay close attention to policy advantages and seek opportunities for “synchronous R&D” of skin treatments domestically

In the Chinese market, Gedeon has built a competitive core product matrix in fields such as medical aesthetic injections, skin treatment, and daily skincare.

In the field of medical aesthetic injections, its core products include hyaluronic acid fillers like Ruilan, botulinum toxin G-spot, and youth-boosting injections like Tongyan, covering needs from filling and wrinkle removal to anti-aging. In skin treatment, Gedeon owns brands such as Soolantra, Daphon Differin, Bansai, and recently launched Epiduo.

It is noteworthy that these products are all imported into China from overseas markets.

“In terms of pharmaceuticals, we evaluate the disease incidence in China and whether existing treatments meet demand. Most of our products launched in Europe and America are patented innovative drugs. For diseases like acne, rosacea, and future conditions such as atopic dermatitis, these products are very advanced. We are committed to bringing them into China. In the future, we will increase investment in this area and accelerate the introduction of more advanced foreign products into China,” Lei Hongyu told Bullet Finance.

Lei Hongyu further stated that currently, Gedeon’s domestic R&D in China mainly focuses on skincare products. Because Chinese consumers’ skin conditions and skincare habits differ from Western ones—they have more refined and higher demands—Gedeon has established R&D teams and centers in China to meet these needs. In recent years, products like Xiaoyun Duo facial cleanser, Super Repair Essence, Self-Repair Essence, Acne Clearing Essence, and Golden Bandage Body Oil have all been developed locally. Moreover, China’s advanced and efficient supply chain allows for faster product launches through local manufacturing.

“In terms of medical drugs, we are also closely monitoring China’s policy advantages, such as synchronous R&D. We will seek opportunities based on specific projects. I believe that in the future, we will carry out relevant localized cooperation or R&D in China to bring innovative therapies to Chinese patients as soon as possible,” Lei Hongyu said.

In recent years, Chinese consumers’ concepts of skincare and treatment have become increasingly rational and professional, profoundly influencing upstream companies’ decision-making and development directions.

“Chinese consumers are becoming more mature, with high standards for aesthetics and skincare professionalism. This raises higher requirements for the entire industry,” Lei Hongyu believes. “Personalization and inclusiveness, along with diversified and individualized aesthetics, are the trends. These mature demands push us to continuously innovate in product development and standardize diagnosis and treatment (including doctor education and facial assessment) to meet consumer expectations.”