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Merck’s Q2 Sales Surge 31% to USD 14.6B, Led by Keytruda and China Growth
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US-based Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD, NYSE: MRK) reported Q2 2022 global sales of USD 14.6 billion, marking a 31% increase in constant exchange rate (CER) terms. The growth was driven by recovery from COVID-19 disruptions and contributions from the COVID-19 antiviral drug Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Key Growth Drivers China PerformanceChina…
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Takeda’s Alunbrig Prescribed in China for ALK+ NSCLC Treatment
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Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (TYO: 4502) announced that its lung cancer therapy Alunbrig (brigatinib) has been prescribed in China for the first time, marking its official commercialization and clinical application in the country. The drug was approved in March 2023 to treat anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive locally advanced or…
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Cosmo Pharma’s Winlevi Cream Secures Greater China Licensing Deal with 3SBio
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Ireland-based Cosmo Pharmaceuticals NV (SWX: COPN) and China’s 3SBio Inc. (HKG: 1530) have signed a licensing agreement for Cosmo’s Winlevi (clascoterone) cream 1%, a topical therapy for acne. 3SBio will hold development and commercialization rights for Winlevi in Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao. Deal DetailsThe…
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PerkinElmer and SCUT Launch Joint Translational Medicine Center
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US-based PerkinElmer and China’s South China University of Technology (SCUT) have officially launched their joint translational medicine center of excellence. The center, located at SCUT’s Medical College in Guangzhou, Guangdong, is equipped with advanced scientific research tools from PerkinElmer and is open to the public. Center DetailsThe laboratory features cutting-edge…
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Sun Pharma’s Bicalutamide Supply Suspended in Multiple Chinese Regions
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India-based Sun Pharma has suspended the supply of its bicalutamide to Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, Shanghai, Fujian, Henan, Yunnan, and Tibet due to non-compliance with importing standards caused by “loss on drying.” The national alliance procurement office has designated Hisun Pharma, Zhendong Pharma, and Zhaohui Pharma as the new suppliers for…
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MabPharm’s CMAB015 Biosimilar Receives NMPA Approval for Clinical Study
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Taizhou-based monoclonal antibody (mAb) biosimilars specialist MabPharm Ltd (HKG: 2181) announced that it has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct a clinical study of its CMAB015, a biosimilar of Novartis’ Cosentyx (secukinumab). The study will target psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. Drug ProfileCosentyx was first approved…
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CSPC Jushi Biopharm’s SYSA1801 ADC Secures Licensing Deal with Elevation Oncology
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China-based CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (HKG: 1093) announced that its subsidiary, CSPC Jushi Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd, has entered into a licensing agreement with US-based Elevation Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: ELEV). The deal grants Elevation exclusive development and commercialization rights to CSPC Jushi’s Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) antibody drug conjugate (ADC) candidate SYSA1801…
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CDE Releases 61st Batch of Generic Reference Preparations, 34 New Specs Added
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The Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) has released the 61st batch of chemical generic reference preparations, adding 34 new specifications and updating information for 36 previously published ones. Batch DetailsThe latest batch includes updates to existing specifications and introduces new ones. However, 27 specifications failed the review due to various…
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Immunochina Pharmaceuticals Secures CAR-T Production License in Beijing
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Beijing-based Immunochina Pharmaceuticals has obtained a Drug Production License for its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, making it the first company in Beijing and one of a few nationally to receive the certification as a gene therapy firm. Approval SignificanceThe license confirms that Immunochina’s facilities comply with quality regulations,…
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Kolo Medical Raises RMB 100M in Series B2 to Launch High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging System
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Suzhou-based Kolo Medical Inc., a leader in next-generation semiconductor ultrasound CMUT (Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer) chip technology, has raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14.8 million) in a Series B2 financing round. The round was led by Qianrong Investment and included participation from Walden International. Funding UseProceeds from the funding…
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Nestle Launches China’s First Cancer-Focused FSMP Product Oral Impact Su Yi Su
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Switzerland-based Nestle announced the launch of China’s first “foods for special medical purposes” (FSMP) product specifically designed for cancer patients. Branded as Oral Impact Su Yi Su, the product provides a non-inflammatory diet for individuals recovering from cancer treatment, containing arginine, fish oil, omega-3, and nucleotides in addition to standard…
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Sanofi’s Hornstein Sees China’s Online Hospitals Boosting Digital Health Strategy
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Sanofi’s outgoing China market president, Pius Hornstein, expressed confidence in the potential of China’s online hospital sector to advance the company’s digital health strategies, despite regulatory hurdles and profitability challenges. Regulatory LandscapeHornstein, who will soon take over as Sanofi’s global digital division head, addressed new rules issued in March 2022…
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Nuance Pharma Initiates Phase I Study for Ketorolac IV Infusion (NTM-001)
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China-based Nuance Pharma announced the initiation of subject enrollment and the first drug infusion in a Phase I clinical study for its ketorolac for IV infusion (NTM-001), a non-opioid analgesic co-developed with US-based Neumentum Inc. Study DetailsThe Phase I study enrolled 16 healthy subjects, who have completed the 96-hour sample…
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Henlius Biotech’s HanBeiTai Biosimilar of Avastin Accepted for CDE Review
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Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. (HKG: 2696) announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) has accepted a supplementary Biologic License Application (sBLA) for its HanBeiTai, a biosimilar of Roche’s Avastin (bevacizumab), for review. The application is intended for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). Drug ProfileHanBeiTai was first approved in…
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CStone Pharmaceuticals and Kindstar Global Partner on Blood Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment
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China-based CStone Pharmaceuticals (HKG: 2616) announced a strategic collaboration with compatriot firm Kindstar Global (HKG: 9960) to advance precision diagnosis and treatment in blood tumors. The partnership aims to enhance educational activities, promote the concept of precision detection and treatment, and improve the accessibility and standardization of genetic testing for…
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Wanbangde Pharmaceutical to Acquire Consun Pharma Shares in RMB 2.2B Deal
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China-based Wanbangde Pharmaceutical Group has entered into a non-legally binding letter of intent with Consun Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (HKG: 1681) to acquire 238,056,948 shares at RMB 9.17 (USD 1.36) per share, valuing the transaction at approximately RMB 2.2 billion (USD 325 million). About Consun PharmaceuticalConsun Pharma, listed on the Hong…
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Brii Biosciences’ COVID-19 Antibody Cocktail Effective Against Omicron BA.4/5 and BA.2.12.1
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China-based Brii Biosciences Ltd (HKG: 2137) announced that its anti-COVID-19 antibody cocktail amubarvimab + romlusevimab has demonstrated sustained neutralizing activity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 and BA.2.12.1 subvariants. Study ResultsLive virus neutralization experiments conducted in the US showed that 14 days after dosing, the total plasma concentration of the combination…
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CMS Acquires Wuhan YZY Biopharma’s Bispecific Antibody Assets for Fundus Disease
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China Medical System Holdings (CMS; HKG: 0867) announced an asset transfer agreement with Wuhan YZY Biopharma Co., Ltd, securing global rights to the latter’s tetravalent bispecific antibody (BsAb) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 2 (ANG2) for intravitreal injection. Financial terms were not disclosed. Agreement DetailsThe deal encompasses…
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HitGen and LoQus23 Therapeutics Partner on DNA Encoded Library for Neurodegeneration
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China-based HitGen Inc. (SHA: 688222) announced a strategic partnership with UK-headquartered LoQus23 Therapeutics Ltd, leveraging its DNA Encoded Library (DEL) technology to screen compounds for targets identified by LoQus23. The collaboration aims to develop small-molecule drugs targeting DNA mismatch repair (MMR) to slow neurodegeneration in diseases like Huntington’s and myotonic…
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Roche Diagnostics and Topgen Biopharm Launch Innovation Center in Chongqing
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Swiss diagnostics giant Roche Diagnostics and China-based Topgen Biopharm announced the establishment of a strategic partnership on July 24, with the inauguration of the “Roche Diagnostics-Topgen Innovation Center of Excellence” in Chongqing. Center OverviewThe innovation center comprises several key facilities:
