(Yicai Global) Feb. 21 -- Shares in Jinxin Fertility Group, Honz Pharmaceutical and other Chinese fertility-related companies soared today after Beijing said it is including assisted reproductive technologies into the municipal medical insurance scheme for the first time.

Invitro fertilization company Jinxin Fertility’s share price [HKG:1951] closed up 8.77 percent at HKD8.81 (USD1.13). Earlier in the day it had jumped 13 percent to HKD9.16. The Chengdu, southwestern Sichuan province-based firm runs clinics in Sichuan, southern Guangdong, northern Hubei and southwestern Yunnan provinces. It also owns the US’ HRC Management and has medical facilities in Laos.

Honz Pharmaceutical [SHE:300086], which makes the consumables used in assisted reproduction, surged 20 percent to end the day at CNY8.52 (USD1.35). Hunan Dajia Weikang Pharmaceutical Industry [SHE:301126], which is building a hospital specializing in assisted reproduction, also leapt 20 percent to CNY23.08 (USD3.64).

Intrauterine artificial insemination, embryo transplants, sperm optimization treatment and 13 other assisted reproductive technologies can now be reimbursed through the medical insurance program in order to boost fertility, the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau said today. The policy will be effective from March 26 and is only available in public hospitals and clinics in the capital.

By including IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies into the scope of the medical insurance system, it will increase demand for fertility treatment especially after the three-child policy was introduced last year, Kaiyuan Securities said. Leading firms in the sector can take full advantage of the increase in demand.

The National Healthcare Security Administration said in September last year that it will endeavor to help patients with infertility problems and consider including assisted reproduction into the medical insurance system.

Editor: Kim Taylor