Few Blockbusters So Far From China’s First-In-Class Innovation

Mixed Fortunes For Pioneers

Some five years on from the first approval of a novel drug originated in China, 10 first-in-class drugs of Chinese origin have been commercialized. But the results have been mixed, with few actual or potential blockbusters.

Pair of hands on the red ground of a race track, with a white number one painted on it
Since 2019, a total of ten Chinese homegrown first-in-class drugs have hit the road of commercialization. • Source: Shutterstock

Many of China’s homegrown first-in-class drugs have had a hard time becoming rainmakers for their originators, with few becoming blockbusters in domestic or international sales terms.

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