News Summaries

Chinese Cancer Drugs Take Center Stage at Global Lung Cancer Conference

The World Lung Cancer Conference (WCLC) convened in Korea from Sept. 12‑15, gathering the world’s top researchers and drug makers to tackle the disease that kills one‑fifth of all cancer patients. While lung cancer remains China’s deadliest malignancy, this year Chinese innovators stole the spotlight. A record 19 Chinese drug studies earned oral presentation slots and another 45 were featured in mini‑talks, according to Guojin Securities. In the hard‑to‑treat small‑cell lung cancer (SCLC) arena, two home‑grown antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs) shone. Hansoh’s B7‑H3‑targeted ADC, Riconfortumab, posted the longest overall survival ever seen in a Phase III second‑line trial, while Yilian Bio’s ADC, Tam‑Peli, cut death risk by 54% versus standard chemotherapy. For the more common non‑small‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Akeso’s Ivonescimab outperformed the blockbuster Keytruda in a head‑to‑head Phase III study, delivering superior overall and progression‑free survival. Big‑pharma rivals are not standing still. AstraZeneca reported eight‑year overall‑survival data for osimertinib in early‑stage EGFR‑mutant NSCLC, and its ADC trastuzumab deruxtecan beat standard first‑line therapy in HER2‑mutant patients. Analysts say the conference underscored a shift toward “Immunotherapy 2.0” and next‑generation ADCs, with Chinese bispecific antibodies and ADCs now leading global development. Investors are being urged to watch these fast‑moving biotech contenders closely.

Chinese Breakthrough Cancer Drug Shines at Global Oncology Conference

China’s home‑grown biotech sector is moving from “following” to “leading” on the world stage. In late July, foreign diplomats toured the Everlasting International Innovative Drugs and Medical Devices Expo in Boao Lecheng, Hainan, showcasing the country’s latest medical inventions. At the same time, a busy stem‑cell production line at Shandong Qilu Cell Therapy Engineering Technology highlighted China’s push to scale advanced therapies. Bayer’s senior executive, Stefan Uhlig, recently called China a global biopharma “innovation hub,” underscoring the nation’s growing influence. Back in Shanghai, the National Facility for Protein Science teamed up with Kangma Biotechnology to launch an AI‑driven protein‑manufacturing lab that can churn out 10,000 protein batches a day, offering a new resource for domestic drug makers. The headline moment came at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago, where Professor Lu Shun presented Phase III results for Ivonescimab – a Chinese‑developed PD‑1/VEGF bispecific antibody from Akeso. Paired with chemotherapy, the drug cut the risk of death by 34 % and extended median overall survival from 23.7 to 27.9 months for patients with advanced squamous non‑small‑cell lung cancer. The study was published in The Lancet and marked the first time a Chinese anti‑cancer drug took the plenary stage at ASCO. Chinese researchers also set records at the conference, delivering 94 oral presentations and 13 breakthrough abstracts from 12 companies. These milestones signal that Chinese innovative medicines are no longer newcomers—they’re becoming mainstream players in global health.