China is experiencing an increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases, attributable to an aging population, escalating hypertension rates, and shifts in lifestyle. Consequently, the demand for heart valve surgeries, including mechanical valve replacements, is on the rise. Against this backdrop, China’s mechanical heart valves market is expected to reach $50 million in 2033, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data, and analytics company.
GlobalData’s report, “Prosthetic Heart Valves Market Size by Segments, Share, Regulatory, Reimbursement, Interventions and Forecast to 2036,” reveals that, in 2024, China was the largest market for mechanical heart valves in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for approximately 50% of the market share.
Peijia Medical Technology (Suzhou) Co Ltd recently announced a strategic partnership with DSM-Firmenich, focusing on the joint research and development of polymer heart valves. The collaboration will leverage ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for their durability, flexibility, and biocompatibility. By combining Peijia’s expertise in medical technology with DSM-Firmenich’s biomaterials knowledge, the partnership aims to create heart valves with enhanced durability and surgical compatibility. The focus will also include optimizing key raw material properties and refining manufacturing processes to improve valve efficacy and safety.
Divya Soni, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The new polymer-based valve designs represent a significant advancement over traditional mechanical valves, which typically necessitate lifelong anticoagulation therapy and may not be suitable for minimally invasive procedures. These innovative valves are engineered with a focus on biocompatibility, reduced thrombogenicity, and enhanced flexibility. Such characteristics are anticipated to expand treatment options, especially for younger or more active patients, by offering a safer and more adaptable alternative.”
The mechanical heart valve market currently faces significant challenges, including the necessity for subsequent surgeries, complications associated with anticoagulants, and a scarcity of minimally invasive implantation techniques. These issues underscore a clear imperative for innovation. The collaboration between Peijia and DSM seeks to remedy the principal deficiencies of existing valve technologies. Furthermore, it highlights the critical role of material science and cross-sector cooperation in propelling the advancement of heart valve innovation and enhancing patient outcomes over the long term.
Soni concludes: “Despite ongoing challenges, especially for rural and low-income populations who continue to encounter obstacles in accessing advanced treatments, the general trend indicates enhanced access to heart valve therapies. This favorable development is driven by substantial investment in domestic research and development capabilities, as well as cutting-edge technologies. These efforts are progressively narrowing the disparities, elevating the standard of care for patients with valve disease, and contributing to the continuous advancement of China’s healthcare system.”
