Second Round of Successive Coronary Stent Procurement to Open Tomorrow

Beijing, May 18, 2026 — The National Joint Procurement Office for High-Value Medical Consumables released the tender document for the second round of successive volume-based procurement (VBP) of coronary stents on May 13, setting the on-site bid opening for 9:30 AM on May 20, 2026. Compared with the first successive round, this round introduces major adjustments in product scope, price cap levels, and procurement period, widely seen as a milestone indicating the maturing and refinement of the VBP policy for coronary stents.

First Inclusion of Stainless Steel Stents, Expanded Procurement Scope

For the first time, drug‑eluting stainless steel stents are included in the national VBP. According to the tender document, the first-year procurement demand for stainless steel stents is 12,980 units, while that for drug‑eluting alloy stents stands at 2,726,093 units. The inclusion of stainless steel stents further broadens the technological pathways covered by the VBP, offering more practical options for primary healthcare institutions and specific clinical scenarios.

In terms of allocation by manufacturer, MicroPort ranks first in demand, followed by Boston Scientific and Abbott – reflecting the ongoing competition between leading domestic players and major international brands under the VBP framework.

Alloy Stent Price Cap Raised by Nearly 12%, a Positive Signal

This successive procurement continues to use a negotiated price (inquiry) model. The most notable change is the maximum valid bidding price for alloy stents, raised from RMB 848 to RMB 949 per unit – an increase of approximately 11.91%. For stainless steel stents, the maximum valid bidding price is set at RMB 848 per unit.

The price cap increase is widely interpreted as a moderate policy adjustment to allow reasonable profit margins for manufacturers. Since the first round of coronary stent VBP in 2020 slashed the average price from RMB 13,000 to around RMB 700, the industry has endured a painful period of profit compression, accelerated consolidation, and transformation toward innovation. The moderate price hike reflects feedback on the implementation effect of past VBP rounds and provides a reference model for price adjustments in future successive procurements of other consumable categories.

Extended Procurement Period to Three Years, Enhancing Stability

The procurement period for this successive round will last until June 30, 2029 – significantly longer than previous rounds. A longer period helps manufacturers stabilize production capacity expectations, optimize supply chain arrangements, and reduces the administrative and clinical adaptation costs associated with frequent brand changes by healthcare institutions.

VBP Spurs Innovation: Multiple Companies See Earnings Rebound

The price pressure from VBP is accelerating the industry’s shift toward innovation. According to public financial reports, in 2025 Lepu Medical saw a 289.57% year‑on‑year increase in net profit attributable to shareholders, Sino Medical reported a more than 30‑fold increase, and MicroPort returned to profitability. These changes indicate that leading companies, after achieving volume‑for‑price trade‑offs, are emerging from the shadow of VBP through international expansion, new product launches, and advanced businesses such as surgical robotics.

High Industry Attention Ahead of Bid Opening

The on‑site bid opening on May 20 will determine the winning bidders and final allocation volumes. The industry is closely watching three key points:

● Whether actual bids for stainless steel stents will approach the price floor, and the willingness of international brands to participate in this category;

● Whether the winning prices for alloy stents will generally converge toward the upper limit, creating a more favorable pricing range for manufacturers;

● Changes in market share among leading players, especially whether second‑tier companies can gain share beyond MicroPort, Boston Scientific, and Abbott.

The bid opening results are expected to be announced by the Joint Procurement Office on or shortly after May 20. Our website will continue to follow the event and provide timely analysis.

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