China Pharmaceutical Surges Ahead: 6 Innovative Drugs Launched, Major BD Deals Signed

Source: Dengyuemed | August 21, 2025 | Category: Pharmaceuticals

Hong Kong Pharmaceutical distributor continues to strengthen innovation, supported by high R&D investment, driving rapid transformation.

In H1 2025, innovative drug sales and licensing revenue reached RMB 9.561 billion, accounting for 60.66% of total revenue, with sales revenue of RMB 7.570 billion.

Key innovative drugs like Revlimid, Dalciril, and Henggeline have demonstrated strong clinical value, earning recognition from doctors and patients.

Earlier launched drugs—Arixib, Remazolam, Pyrotinib, and Fluzoparib—continue to contribute to sales growth as post-market evidence and new indications accumulate.

Licensing income is increasingly significant, with China receiving $200 million from MSD and $75 million from IDEAYA as upfront payments during the reporting period.

In generics, products like liposomal bupivacaine and first-to-market paclitaxel injection (albumin-bound) saw rapid sales growth, modestly boosting overall generics revenue.

High R&D Investment Fuels Innovation

H1 2025 R&D expenditure reached RMB 3.871 billion (RMB 3.228 billion capitalized), with cumulative R&D exceeding RMB 48 billion.

Six Class 1 innovative drugs were approved, alongside six new indications. China has over 100 self-developed drugs in clinical trials, with 400+ trials globally.

Recent clinical achievements include SHR-A1811’s nine breakthrough therapy indications and Dalciril’s phase III data for HR+/HER2− early breast cancer, now included in ESMO guidelines.

China Drug Import and Export Wholesaler has built robust innovation platforms, including AI drug discovery, the LingShu platform, and bioinformatics systems, producing differentiated and competitive products across oncology, metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, and respiratory diseases.

The company holds extensive IP protection, with 2,864 domestic patent applications and 797 international patents granted.

Accelerated Globalization

China strengthened international collaborations, licensing HRS-5346 to MSD ($200 million upfront) and SHR7280 to Merck (€15 million upfront).

A partnership with GSK covers up to 12 innovative drugs, with $500 million upfront and potential total payments of $12 billion, marking a milestone in China’s shift from single-product exports to system-level global innovation.

Hong Kong Drug Wholesale Distributor is conducting over 20 overseas clinical trials and has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for five products.

Academic influence grows through publications in top journals (JAMA, Lancet Oncology) and presentations at global conferences.

Optimized Operations and Global Talent

Hong Kong Pharmaceutical distributor has optimized organizational structure, strengthened commercial and medical teams, and established a global R&D workforce of 5,600+ professionals.

Over 30% of mid- to senior-level managers have overseas experience. The company has consecutively received the “Hong Kong DengYue Medicine Outstanding Employer” award for four years.

Recognition and Outlook

Hong Kong Pharmaceutical distributor ranks second globally in self-developed pipelines per Citeline 2025 review, won the China Patent Gold Award for Hengqu®, and has been in Pharm Exec’s global top 50 pharma companies for seven consecutive years. ESG rating achieved AA level.

Looking ahead, Hong Kong DengYue Medicine will continue to drive innovation and globalization, accelerate international launches of innovative drugs, and pursue sustainable high-quality growth.