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Chinese Biotechs Partner Up 18.2-Targeting ADCs Amid Intense Domestic Competition

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Following rapid R&D growth in the area, China now has roughly 40 drug candidates targeting Claudin 18.2 across various modalities including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies, with a number of contenders now striking international licensing-out deals in a bid to get ahead of rivals.

More and more Chinese Biotechs are teaming up with larger-scale domestic pharma companies for wider market access.
Three deals for Claudin 18.2-targeting ADCs between China/US firms since May • Source: Alamy

Since May, Chinese biotechs have rushed to cut deals with US pharma companies for global rights to Claudin 18.2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) assets amid cut-throat domestic competition in the field.

The latest partnerships have come from CSPC Megalith Biopharmaceutical under Hong Kong-listed CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited and Kelun-Biotech, a...

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BlissBio Goes Solo On HER2-Targeting ADC After Eisai Exit

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

BlissBio is to single-handedly move BB-1701, its eribulin-containing, HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, into a global pivotal Phase II/III program for HER2-expressing, Enhertu-resistant breast cancer.

US Tariff Overhang Weighs on Chinese API Exports

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Chinese API exports to the US fell by 24% year-on-year to $255m in May, when the US and China called a truce in a previously escalating trade war.

Chinese Developers Showcase Potentially Differentiated Weight Loss Assets At ADA

 
• By Xu Hu

Multiple Chinese firms presented at this year’s ADA meeting, with a focus on weight reduction efficacy for mostly early clinical stage assets. While limited information was given on lean mass preservation, several companies are progressing drugs and combos to address this need.

China Signals Restarting IPOs For Unprofitable Biotechs

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has proposed a new “growth tier” for the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, to reinstate the market’s listing standards for unprofitable firms.

More from Focus On Asia

Torrent Acquires JB Chem In 2025’s Biggest Deal For Indian Pharma

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Torrent Pharma’s JB Chemicals acquisition follows the Curatio deal and Boehringer brands buyout. The second-biggest deal ever and the largest in 2025 among domestic pharma companies helps Torrent fill white spaces in areas like nephrology and gives an entry into the CDMO segment

Snapshot Of India’s Pharma Manufacturing Network Amid ‘Trumponomics’

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Scrip collates data on the global manufacturing network of leading Indian drug makers, the markets serviced and production hubs for active pharmaceutical ingredients. Will ongoing geopolitical tensions and policy shifts have a bearing on some of these down the line?

GSK, Bharat On Shigella Vaccine Phase II Data Timelines, Malaria Vaccine Price Halving

 
• By Vibha Ravi

GSK tells Scrip about timelines for data expected from two Phase II trials for its Bharat Biotech-partnered shigella vaccine candidate, which puts it ahead of Limmatech/Valneva. Meanwhile, a global-first malaria vaccine, also partnered with Bharat, sees an over 50% price cut