Summary of Key Highlights
At the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chinese pharmaceutical companies made remarkable achievements in the field of lung cancer research: Nine companies presented their latest developments, with some studies challenging the existing gold standards for treatment. The number of presentations selected for oral sessions and breakthrough abstracts reached a record high, indicating a shift from a focus on quantity to quality in Chinese innovative drug development. At the same time, the export of domestic innovative drugs is accelerating, but they face geopolitical risks (such as potential restrictions by the US FDA on using Chinese clinical data), which companies must address through international multi-center trials.
I. Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies at ASCO: Moving from Supporting Roles to Leading Players, Challenging Lung Cancer Treatment Gold Standards
ASCO is the most authoritative academic conference in the field of oncology globally, and presenting research results there is equivalent to obtaining international recognition. This year, Chinese pharmaceutical companies outperformed in previous years:
- Record Number of Presentations: A total of 94 Chinese studies were selected for oral sessions, and 13 studies from 12 companies made it to the “Breakthrough Abstracts” category (which represents the highest distinction for research), many of which were related to lung cancer.
- Strong Quality of Research: Several companies’ studies directly challenged the existing gold standards for treatment—i.e., the most commonly used and effective treatment approaches:
- Shuwozhe from Dizhe Pharmaceutical: Targeting a subtype of lung cancer with the EGFR exon20ins mutation (which previously could only be treated with chemotherapy, with poor outcomes), its phase III trial showed that this oral targeted therapy significantly extended the time before tumor progression (PFS) compared to chemotherapy. It is the first orally administered drug in the world to be proven effective for this patient group, potentially ending the need for chemotherapy.
- Yiwosi from Kangfang Biosciences: This study was presented at the main ASCO conference for the first time in 61 years. Compared to the current gold standard of PD-1 + chemotherapy, Yiwosi combined with chemotherapy improved the overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer and also set new PFS records, demonstrating that dual-target drugs (PD-1 + VEGF) are more effective than single-target PD-1 therapies.
II. New Directions in Lung Cancer Treatment: “Chemotherapy-Free” Approaches and Dual-Target Drugs Becoming Trends
Lung cancer treatment has traditionally relied heavily on chemotherapy, which can be highly debilitating. However, research by Chinese pharmaceutical companies is changing this:
- The Era of Chemotherapy-Free Treatment: Shuwozhe from Dizhe allows patients with specific mutations to avoid chemotherapy and instead take targeted therapy, resulting in fewer side effects. Although Yiwosi from Kangfang Biosciences still uses chemotherapy in combination, it shows better efficacy and may reduce the need for chemotherapy in the future.
- Dual-Target Drugs Are More Effective: Traditional PD-1 therapies are the cornerstone of immunotherapy, but they can become resistant to treatment. Chinese companies’ dual-target drugs (targeting two pathways simultaneously) or fusion proteins offer a solution:
- HLX43 from Fuhong Hanlin: Effective for lung cancer patients who have developed resistance to previous treatments, especially those with rare mutations.
- IBI363 from Innovent Biologics: A PD-1/IL-2α dual-target drug that prolongs overall survival in immunotherapy-resistant patients and has a lasting effect (a “tailing effect”).
III. The Rise of Chinese Innovative Drugs: Behind the Success Are Policy, Industry, and Talent
Several factors contribute to the sudden prominence of Chinese pharmaceutical companies on the international stage:
- Policy Support: Reforms in drug review and approval processes (e.g., accelerating the market launch of innovative drugs) provide incentives for research and development.
- Strong Industrial Foundation: A well-developed industrial chain from drug research to production, with lower costs compared to Europe and the US.
- Talent and Patient Pool: A large number of pharmaceutical researchers, combined with a vast patient population for lung cancer, facilitate rapid clinical trials.
- Focus on Original Innovation: Companies like Dizhe Pharmaceutical are developing new drugs based on disease mechanisms and unmet medical needs (e.g., rare mutations), which is what truly distinguishes their research at international conferences.
IV. Accelerated Export of Innovative Drugs, but Geopolitical Risks Require Caution
The export of Chinese innovative drugs is gaining momentum; in the first quarter of 2026, transactions amounted to $59.6 billion, nearly half of the total for the entire previous year. However, there are challenges:
- US Policy Risks: The US House of Representatives has proposed banning the use of Chinese clinical data in FDA evaluations of new drugs, which could impact companies that rely on these data.
- Countermeasures: Companies are conducting international multi-center trials in multiple countries to collect data from diverse populations, meeting FDA requirements and enhancing the competitiveness of their drugs globally. For example, Dizhe Pharmaceutical is actively pursuing early international trials to understand safety and efficacy differences among different patient groups.
Conclusion
The progress of Chinese pharmaceutical companies in lung cancer research not only provides better treatment options for domestic patients but also establishes a significant presence in global medical innovation. However, the challenges associated with exporting drugs highlight the need for companies to focus on both research and development and strategic planning for international markets. For the general public, this means that more affordable and effective domestic anti-cancer drugs may become available in the future.