China In-Licensing Crossroads: Zai Lab, Everest March Towards Market But BioNova Returns Rights

China's Zai Lab and Everest are still pursuing profitability on the commercialization of in-licensed assets, while BioNova and others have already bowed out of the game.

in-licensing at a crossroads
Amid funding crunch, Chinese in-licensing players reach crossroads toward commercialization • Source: Shutterstock

Amid an ongoing capital crunch, Chinese drug makers pursuing in-licensing models have arrived at a commercialization crossroads.

Key Takeaways
  • While Zai Lab and others have built up massive reserves of in-licensed assets over the years, deals adding external molecules to boost pipelines have been thinning out since 2021.

Jump-started by frontrunner Zai Lab Ltd.’s successful introduction of GSK plc’s blockbuster cancer drug Zejula (niraparib) into China...

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