Chinese Pharma Looks To Out-Licensing As Domestic Downturn Bites

China's biopharma firms including Hengrui Medicine and HUTCHMED actively pursue licensing partners for their drug assets as the economic downturn caused by domestic COVID flare-ups continues worsening. Meanwhile, there are some predictions that smaller biotechs in the country may need to tap into multinationals' deep pockets to raise new funds.

lifeline and straws to clutch at
struggling Chinese drug makers scramble for licensing deals amid economic downturn • Source: Shutterstock

Chinese pharma companies, more established drug makers and biotech start-ups alike, are increasingly looking to license out rights to their product candidates to global partners in an effort to weather the ongoing economic downturn at home.

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

Henlius In David Versus Goliath Race With Pfizer For First PD-L1 ADC

 

While Henlius Biotech’s PD-L1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate HLX43 is struggling to catch up with Pfizer’s PF-08046054, the global frontrunner in the space, a key differentiation of the China-originated asset could lie in PD-L1-negative patients.

Will China’s Retaliatory Tariffs Galvanize Manufacturing Onshoring?

 

China’s imposed large retaliatory tariffs on US pharmaceuticals on 10 April, but some domestic firms with in-licensed, US-origin assets were already moving to localized manufacturing.

New Data Strengthen Case For RemeGen’s Telitacicept In gMG

 

Results from a China Phase III trial show the potential of RemeGen's fusion protein telitacicept in generalized myasthenia gravis. But study design differences make direct comparisons with argenx's FcRn inhibitor Vyvgart challenging.

China Deal-Making Matures As Foreign Partners Derisk Asset Acquisition

 
• By 

Chinese biopharma companies’ alliance strategies are transitioning from immediate cash needs to more strategic management of portfolios, as MNCs continue to hunt for derisked assets.

More from Focus On Asia

US-China Tariff War Pressures Pharma’s Complex Supply Chain

 
• By 

Although pharmaceuticals are exempt from the US reciprocal tariff policy, for now, the escalating global trade war is already posing practical on-the-ground problems for some companies, Scrip hears.

AstraZeneca Logs Japan Growth Despite Price Cuts

 
• By 

AstraZeneca logs growth in Japan despite a big reimbursement price cut for one of its top sellers and expects 40 approvals in the country over the next six years.

Korean Biotech Roundup: GNT Set For First Direct Korean Biopharma IPO On Nasdaq

 
• By 

GNT Pharma prepares for the first listing of a Korean biotech on Nasdaq, while others sign major global out-licensing deals with large multinational partners.