1. Scrip
  2. >>Focus On Asia
  3. >>China

ADC Competition Heats Up In China But Caution, Pressure Also Mount

Multiple Partnerships Help Progress

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

After the anti-PD-1/L1 antibody and cell therapy rush, antibody-drug conjugates are quickly gaining attention in China as new technologies and deal-making activity heats up, but one first mover warns of potential over-crowding.

Chinese developers are flocking to ADC drugs after seeing chances of blockbuster success.
Chinese biotechs are flocking to ADC drugs after seeing chances of blockbuster success. • Source: Alamy

A high-profile June approval for a domestically-developed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) has driven Chinese biotechs to flock to the segment, despite the high hurdles for newcomers. But these newcomer companies have not been deterred yet, hoping that reliance on foreign technologies will propel them to success.

Hong Kong-listed RemeGen Ltd. in June secured a conditional approval for its HER2-targeted ADC disitamab vedotin in China, which...

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
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from China

Degron Eyes Deals For Novel Molecular Glue Degrader Assets

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Pursuing first-in-class molecular glue degraders using undruggable targets could eventually help Degron Therapeutics land sizable asset-based deals, CEO Lily Zou tells Scrip.

Ascentage Broadens Horizons As Pipeline Shows Renewed Promise

 
• By Xu Hu

Ascentage will share at ASCO new clinical data on its Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax, part of the Chinese firm's novel pipeline, on which its CEO shared with Scrip plans and strategy, along with some views on the use of RWD in China.

Strong Data For CARsgen’s CAR-T In Late-Line Gastric Cancer

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

In first confirmatory randomized controlled trial of any CAR-T therapy in solid tumors, CARsgen’s Claudin 18.2-targeting satri-cel reduced risk of death or disease progression by 63% in Chinese patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Hengrui Set For Biggest Biopharma IPO So Far This Year

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals is gearing up for what will be 2025's biggest biopharma IPO so far, hoping to raise up to $1.27bn on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. China's top drug maker by pipeline size plans to use part of the proceeds to reboot its overseas clinical trials ambitions.

More from Focus On Asia

Public Health And Innovation: Addressing Gaps, Pharma’s Role

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Expert panel including Ashok Venkitaraman, director of the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, discusses public health challenges and innovations to help address these. Long-acting drugs, intercepting cancer early and “design thinking” by ophthalmologists in India were among the talking points.

Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By Jung Won Shin

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.