In 2024, China approved several new drugs, and more blockbuster drugs are expected to be launched in 2025, covering oncology, autoimmune diseases, rare diseases, and other therapeutic areas.
Drug Name
Mechanism of Action
Indications
Development Institutions
Evantuzumab
c-Met/EGFR bispecific antibody
Non-small cell lung cancer
Johnson & Johnson; Genmab
Taqetuzumab
CD3/GPRC5D bispecific antibody
Multiple myeloma
Johnson & Johnson; Genmab
Zenidatuzumab
Anti-HER2 bispecific antibody
Biliary tract cancer
Zymeworks; Jazz Pharmaceuticals; BeiGene
Inalises
PI3Kα inhibitor
HR-positive breast cancer
Roche; Chugai Pharmaceutical
Asunitinib
STAMP allosteric inhibitor
Speculated use for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment
Novartis
Tazemetostat
EZH2 inhibitor
Follicular lymphoma
Epizyme; Huadong Medicine; Eisai
Relatuzumab-alpha
PDL1/TGF-β bispecific antibody
Stomach cancer; gastroesophageal junction cancer
Hengrui Medicine; Dong-A Pharma
Vabysmo
EGFR antibody-drug conjugate
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Lepu Biopharma
Tenapanor
NHE3 inhibitor
Chronic kidney disease hyperphosphatemia
Ardelyx; Kyowa Kirin; Fosun Pharma; AstraZeneca
Mersutide
OXM analog; GLP-1R/GCGR agonist
Obesity
Eli Lilly; Innovent Biologics
Vusirumab
IL-1β monoclonal antibody
Gouty arthritis
Junshi Biosciences
Romosozumab
SOST monoclonal antibody
Osteoporosis
Astellas; Amgen; UCB
Teplizumab
CD3 monoclonal antibody
Type 1 diabetes
Ligand Pharmaceuticals; Johnson & Johnson; Sanofi
Solrepinib
Syk inhibitor
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Huadong Medicine
BBM-H901
Factor IX gene therapy
Hemophilia B
Gene Therapy
Fitusiran
RNAi therapy
Hemophilia A; Hemophilia B
Sanofi; Alnylam
Andexanet alfa
Recombinant factor Xa
Factor Xa inhibitor antidote
Portola Pharmaceuticals
Lisocabtagene maraleucel
IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody
Crohn's disease
Boehringer Ingelheim; AbbVie
Lemborexant & Daridorexant
OX1R antagonist; OX2R antagonist
Insomnia
Eisai & Idorsia; Sihuan Pharmaceutical; Nxera Pharma
Highlights of new drug approvals in 2024 include:
1. Oncology:
The world’s first antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting folate receptor alpha (FRα) for ovarian cancer: Mirvetuximab soravtansine.
PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody envafolimab and Nectin-4 ADC enfortumab vedotin.
2. Autoimmune diseases:
IL-17A/F monoclonal antibody bimekizumab for ankylosing spondylitis.
3. Rare diseases:
Novartis’ complement factor B inhibitor for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
Blockbuster drugs expected to be approved in 2025 include:
Oncology:
Amivantamab (Q1)
The world’s first c-Met/EGFR bispecific antibody.
Highlight: Phase III study showed significant extension of median progression-free survival (mPFS).
Talquetamab (Q2)
A CD3/GPRC5D bispecific antibody and the world’s first drug targeting GPRC5D.
Clinical results: Objective response rate (ORR) in Chinese patients was 69.0%-73.6%.
Zanidatamab (Q2)
A HER2-targeting bispecific antibody based on Azymetric™ technology.
Indication: HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC) with an ORR of up to 52%.
Inavolisib (Q3)
Roche’s highly selective PI3Kα inhibitor for PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer.
Asciminib (Q3)
Novartis’ Bcr-Abl allosteric inhibitor for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
SHR-1701 (Q4)
A PD-L1/TGF-βRII bifunctional fusion protein for first-line treatment of gastric cancer.
Phase III study demonstrated significant extension in median overall survival.
MRG003 (Q4)
China’s first EGFR-targeting ADC with remarkable efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Endocrinology and Metabolism:
Tenapanor (Q1)
The world’s only approved NHE3 inhibitor for controlling hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients.
Trend Analysis:
Continued Innovation in Oncology:
The emergence of multiple bispecific antibodies and ADC drugs is making targets and treatment options more precise and diverse.
Breakthroughs in Autoimmune and Rare Diseases:
New biologics are gradually addressing drug resistance and limited treatment options in previous therapies.
Emergence of Domestic Innovative Drugs:
Examples include SHR-1701 and MRG003, highlighting the growing research and development capabilities of Chinese pharmaceutical companies.
The sequential launch of these drugs will provide new therapeutic options for Chinese patients and enhance China’s position in the global pharmaceutical market.