Natural musk from the musk deer is now being replaced by an artificial variety made by Chinese scientists working on this project since 1976.

Musk is an ingredient in 295 Chinese medicines, with the industry using 4,000-5,000 kg every year. The musk deer is an endangered and protected species in China and the musk trade is banned worldwide.

The trial involved over 1,000 patients in 7 hospitals. The trial production of artificial musk is on at the pharmaceutical institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.