A Wild CAR-T Race In China: The Hype, Reality And What Works

As China overtakes the US as the largest developer of cell therapies including CAR-Ts, multiple issues ranging from clinical data to manufacturing are surfacing, potentially derailing a promising field. Executives from leading players Fosun-Kite, Juno-Wuxi and local heavyweight Legend shared insights on what works and what's needed to get things rights at a recent meeting in Suzhou.

DIA panel on CAR-T in China, held in Suzhou Oct. 26, 2018
DIA Panel on CAR-T in China, L to R: Richard Wang of Fosun-Kite, Sun Wenjun of Juno-Wuxi, DIA China MD Carol Zhu, Zhu Li of Genescript, Steve Yang of WuXi Apptec • Source: DIA China

Among dozens of players that are racing to get their CAR-T therapies into the fast-growing Chinese oncology market, some may not get it right and that could cost the sector dearly.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from China

Transient FY26 For Syngene But Momentum In China +1 Projects

 

As biopharma derisks its business with China ‘rebalancing’ strategies, Syngene could convert majority of such pilots into full program contracts amid a challenging FY2025. The CRDMO also expects business discussions pertaining to a newly acquired US biologics site to mature into commercial opportunities.

Zai’s R&D Head Touts ‘Beauty’ Of Novel Internal Assets

 

Two potentially first-in-class molecules signify Zai Lab’s renewed drive for the in-house discovery of drugs that it requires “to be innovative, differentiated and to have the potential to make a big difference for patients,” its global R&D head tells Scrip.

CSPC’s Global-First Monospecific ADC Promising In Advanced NSCLC

 
• By 

CSPC’s SYS6010, the first monospecific EGFR-targeting antibody-drug conjugate in the clinic for advanced NSCLC, has shown Phase I promise, but could face close competition with another China-originated bispecific.

Akeso Explains Ivonescimab Prelim OS Data After Investors’ Negative Reactions

 

Akeso explains the circumstances behind the release of preliminary overall survival data from a head-to-head Phase III trial with ivonescimab in lung cancer, which some investors viewed as disappointing.

More from Focus On Asia

NIH Funding Cut Left Less Money On R&D Table, Tariffs Would Add To Woes: Aragen’s CEO

 
• By 

Funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health, big pharma’s US onshoring moves, GCC partnerships and talks with the Indian government to solve intellectual property challenges are discussed in an interview with Aragen’s CEO, who is also keenly watching the Trump administration’s moves on pharma tariffs

Akeso Explains Ivonescimab Prelim OS Data After Investors’ Negative Reactions

 

Akeso explains the circumstances behind the release of preliminary overall survival data from a head-to-head Phase III trial with ivonescimab in lung cancer, which some investors viewed as disappointing.

Novotech CEO On Flexible Trial Solutions Amid Tariff, Geopolitical Tensions

 

Novotech's CEO talks about rising interest for trials in regions with “regulatory agility” and “strategic insulation” from geopolitical complexity, especially among emerging and mid-sized biotech sponsors. Operational "reassessment” among some sponsors on exposure to China-based CROs/CRDMOs is another area he discussed.