Medical Library | Shanghai Clinical Innovation Series
Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, is one of Shanghai's leading centers for endocrine and metabolic disease, nephrology, cardiovascular devices, gastrointestinal medicine, respiratory disease, and movement disorders. Its 2025–2026 programs connect large clinical trials with microbiome research, digital diagnostics, novel devices, minimally invasive procedures, gene therapy, cell therapy, and deep-brain stimulation.
This Medical Library review summarizes six representative teams and directions based on the information provided. It also explains how international patients can prepare for specialist consultations and assess whether an innovative treatment is appropriate for their diagnosis and stage of disease.
1. Endocrinology and Metabolism: From the Gut–Metabolism Axis to Standardized Diabetes Care
Leads: Academician Ning Guang and Professor Wang Weiqing
Focus: Type 2 diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, and the gut microbiome–metabolism axis.
The program is described as having one of the most complete translational pathways in metabolic medicine, moving from mechanism and microbiome research to large randomized trials, standardized metabolic management, and artificial-intelligence-supported care.
Key 2025–2026 milestones
- AKK-targeted intervention: A randomized controlled trial involving Akkermansia muciniphila was published in Cell Metabolism in January 2025.
- Non-invasive glucose testing: A non-invasive blood-glucose monitoring approach was reported in Nature Metabolism in February 2025.
- Gut–brain axis and weight loss: Puerarin-based intervention was reported in Nature in September 2025 in connection with the gut–brain axis and weight management.
- BPROAD: A large randomized clinical trial was selected among the year's top ten medical research studies.
- National recognition: The program received a second prize in the National Science and Technology Progress Award in July 2026.
The practical significance is the attempt to turn microbiome and metabolic mechanisms into reproducible clinical pathways. However, microbiome interventions, non-invasive glucose devices, and weight-loss strategies must still be assessed according to the specific product, trial design, safety profile, and regulatory status.
Patients should also clarify what “diabetes remission” means in a study, how long the effect lasted, and what ongoing lifestyle and medication monitoring is required. Our Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders Treatment in Shanghai guide provides related patient background.
Clinical profile: A closed-loop translational model connecting gut biology, large randomized trials, metabolic management centers, and AI-supported care.
2. Nephrology: Three Treatment Lines for IgA Nephropathy
Lead: Professor Xie Jingyuan
Focus: IgA nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and blood purification.
IgA nephropathy can follow very different courses. Some patients remain stable for years, while others develop persistent proteinuria, progressive loss of kidney function, or treatment-resistant disease. The reported Ruijin program is exploring several approaches that target different parts of the disease process.
Key 2025–2026 milestones
- Telitacicept real-world data: Real-world treatment was reported to reduce proteinuria by 56.8% in June 2025.
- Plasma-cell targeting: Bortezomib was studied for difficult-to-treat IgA nephropathy in 2025.
- Enteric-coated budesonide: A continued Phase IV registration program was reported in January 2026.
The concept of three treatment lines is important because IgA nephropathy may involve immune activation, abnormal antibody production, complement activity, and progressive kidney injury. The appropriate option depends on proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate, biopsy findings, blood pressure, infection risk, and previous treatment.
A real-world reduction in proteinuria is encouraging, but it is not the same as proving long-term kidney survival. Patients should ask whether a treatment has demonstrated a sustained reduction in kidney failure, how adverse events were monitored, and whether the proposed drug is approved for their specific disease stage.
Our Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment in Shanghai Medical Library guide provides additional context.
Clinical profile: An IgA nephropathy program pursuing immune, plasma-cell, and gut-targeted treatment strategies rather than relying on a single mechanism.
3. Cardiology and the Heart Center: Device Innovation for Rhythm and End-Stage Heart Failure
Leads: Professor Wu Liqun for arrhythmia and Professor Zhao Qiang for heart-failure devices
Focus: Atrial fibrillation, pacing, end-stage heart failure, and mechanical circulatory support.
Key 2025–2026 milestones
- Dual-chamber leadless pacing: The first reported dual-chamber leadless pacemaker implantation in mainland China was completed in May 2025.
- EV-ICD: An extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted in March 2025.
- Beating-heart BiVAD: A biventricular assist device was implanted while the heart continued beating in June 2025.
- Remote robotic magnetic navigation: A 5G remote robotic magnetic-navigation ablation procedure was reported in Europace in June 2025.
These developments address different problems. Leadless pacing aims to reduce the need for transvenous leads and a subcutaneous generator pocket. An extravascular defibrillator seeks to avoid placing the shocking system inside the heart and veins. BiVAD support is intended for selected patients with severe biventricular failure, while remote magnetic navigation aims to extend the reach and precision of catheter ablation.
Patients should confirm the exact indication, device availability, battery or maintenance requirements, MRI compatibility, infection and bleeding risks, and long-term follow-up plan. A first-in-country implantation does not by itself establish that a device is suitable for every patient.
For related background, see our Heart Valve Disease Treatment in Shanghai Medical Library guide.
Clinical profile: A cardiovascular program emphasizing first-in-country devices, innovative procedures, and localization of rhythm and heart-failure technologies.
4. Gastroenterology: New Biologics and EUS-Based Minimally Invasive Care
Leads: Professors Zou Duowu and Zhong Jie
Focus: Inflammatory bowel disease, IgG4-related disease, and necrotizing pancreatitis.
Key 2025–2026 milestones
- IgG4-related disease: The first digestive-medicine prescription of inebilizumab was reported in March 2026, and the hospital was described as China's first targeted-treatment center for IgG4-related disease.
- Crohn's disease: The first Shanghai prescription of mirikizumab for Crohn's disease was reported in June 2026.
The program also uses endoscopic ultrasound and other minimally invasive approaches for selected gastrointestinal and pancreatic conditions. Targeted biologics may reduce inflammation or alter disease activity, but they require careful screening for infection, vaccination status, liver disease, malignancy risk, and previous biologic exposure.
Patients with IgG4-related disease should confirm the affected organs and the need for tissue diagnosis because the disease can resemble cancer, infection, or other inflammatory conditions. Patients with Crohn's disease should ask how treatment response will be measured through symptoms, biomarkers, imaging, and endoscopy.
Our Gastrointestinal Surgery in Shanghai Medical Library guide provides related context for complex digestive disease care.
Clinical profile: A digestive medicine program combining first-use biologics, targeted inflammatory-disease treatment, and EUS-based minimally invasive intervention.
5. Respiratory and Critical Care: Turning Exhaled VOCs into Rapid Screening
Leads: Professors Zhou Min and Shi Guochao
Focus: COPD, severe asthma, and interstitial lung disease.
A study published in Respiratory Research in July 2025 reported the use of exhaled volatile organic compounds and a portable micro gas chromatograph to screen for COPD, asthma, and preserved-ratio impaired spirometry. The reported testing time was reduced from approximately 30 minutes to three minutes.
Breath analysis is attractive because it is non-invasive and may capture metabolic signals associated with airway inflammation or impaired lung function. However, screening performance depends on calibration, environmental conditions, smoking, diet, medication, infection, and the population being tested. A breath signal should not replace spirometry, imaging, clinical examination, or specialist interpretation.
Patients should ask whether the device is approved for screening or diagnosis, what confirmatory test is required, and how a positive result changes management. Our Lung Disease and Critical Care in Shanghai Medical Library article provides related information.
Clinical profile: A respiratory program focused on converting breath chemistry into a fast, portable early-screening tool.
6. Neurology: Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy, and DBS Programming for Parkinson's Disease
Lead: Professor Liu Jun
Focus: Moderate-to-advanced Parkinson's disease and movement disorders.
Key 2025–2026 milestones
- BBM-P002: A dual-target AAV gene-therapy Phase I study was reported in Nature Medicine in June 2026. In ten patients with moderate-to-advanced Parkinson's disease, the high-dose group was reported to have approximately a 46% improvement in “off” motor scores at 52 weeks.
- UX-DA001: A first reported GCP-grade autologous iPSC-derived dopaminergic neuron transplantation in China was associated with more than 45% improvement one year after surgery, with Phase II development progressing.
- STN-DBS: Bilateral different-frequency programming of subthalamic deep-brain stimulation was reported in Brain Stimulation in May 2026.
These three approaches target different levels of Parkinson's disease care. AAV gene therapy aims to change cellular function through genetic delivery. iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons aim to replace or supplement damaged neural pathways. DBS adjusts abnormal network activity through electrical stimulation.
All three remain highly specialized. Patients should confirm whether a treatment is available only in a clinical trial, what the eligibility criteria are, how motor benefit is measured, and what risks involve surgery, immune response, off-target effects, graft survival, device programming, or long-term monitoring.
Clinical profile: A Parkinson's program advancing disease-modifying gene and cell therapy alongside sophisticated DBS programming.
7. How CMCS Helps International Patients Communicate with Specialists
For an international patient considering metabolic, kidney, cardiac, digestive, respiratory, or neurological care in Shanghai, the most useful first step is to match the clinical question with the right specialist team. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) is a health management and medical coordination service that helps patients connect with specialist doctors and hospital resources in Shanghai. CMCS is not a hospital and does not independently diagnose or prescribe treatment.
Before a consultation, CMCS can help organize glucose records, kidney function, urine protein, biopsy reports, ECG and echocardiography, device records, endoscopy, lung-function tests, brain imaging, Parkinson's motor assessments, previous treatment records, medication history, and current symptoms. For overseas patients, these records can be arranged into a concise English medical summary for the specialist.
CMCS can help patients prepare focused questions such as:
- Is the proposed drug, device, gene therapy, cell therapy, or procedure approved for this diagnosis and treatment stage?
- What biomarker, imaging finding, genetic result, or organ-function threshold determines eligibility?
- Is the evidence from a randomized trial, real-world study, first-in-human procedure, or early Phase I program?
- What are the main risks, monitoring requirements, hospitalization needs, and long-term follow-up obligations?
- What standard treatments or alternatives should be considered before an innovative approach?
- How will benefit be measured, and what would happen if the treatment does not work?
During the consultation, CMCS can assist with appointment coordination, medical interpretation, communication between the patient and the care team, and clarification of the doctor's recommendations. Afterward, a case manager can help organize the proposed next steps, identify additional tests or records, clarify the follow-up schedule, and coordinate further communication with the hospital.
The final treatment decision must be made by the patient and the treating medical team. CMCS does not independently select a medicine, device, gene therapy, cell therapy, or clinical trial. Its role is to help the patient bring complete information to the right specialist and ensure that evidence, eligibility, risks, alternatives, access, and monitoring are discussed clearly.
To learn more about specialist consultations and treatment coordination in Shanghai, contact CMCS:
Email: contract@medicalsh.com
WhatsApp: Contact CMCS on WhatsApp
Website: medicalsh.com
Conclusion
The Ruijin Hospital teams reviewed here illustrate a broad spectrum of clinical innovation: microbiome-based metabolic care, multi-target IgA nephropathy treatment, first-in-country cardiovascular devices, new biologics for inflammatory disease, breath-based respiratory screening, and gene, cell, and DBS therapies for Parkinson's disease.
For patients, the goal is not to pursue every new technology, but to identify the option that fits the diagnosis, biomarker profile, disease stage, health status, previous treatment, and personal goals. This article was prepared from the team and program information provided for editorial use. Research findings, product names, approval status, clinical results, and treatment access should be confirmed through the hospital, research team, regulatory authorities, and formally published studies. This article is for medical education only and is not individualized medical advice.
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