
Core Viewpoint - Chinese innovative pharmaceutical companies, primarily rooted in generic drugs, are successfully transitioning to innovative drug development, showcasing resilience and adaptability in a competitive global market [1][2][3] Industry Development - The Chinese pharmaceutical industry was historically focused on generic drugs, with significant reforms in 2015 reducing new drug approval times from an average of 3 years to 60 days, facilitating the rise of innovative drugs [2][3] - The consensus in the industry around 2020 indicated the end of high-profit margins for generic drugs, prompting a necessary shift towards high-level innovation [2][3] - Companies like Hengrui Medicine transitioned from 90% revenue from generics in 2018 to over 50% from innovative drugs by 2024, with innovative drug sales reaching 14 billion yuan, a 30.6% year-on-year increase [2] Case Studies - Aosaikang, once a leader in digestive generics, saw a decline in revenue from 33.66 billion yuan in 2019 to 2.7 billion yuan in 2024 due to procurement reforms, but successfully pivoted to innovative drugs, achieving its first Class 1 innovative drug approval in January 2025 [5][6] - Shandong Innovative Drug Development Co. shifted its focus from generics to innovation, leveraging stable cash flow from generics to support high-investment innovative drug research [5][6] Challenges in Transition - The transition from generics to innovative drugs is fraught with challenges, including high costs and long development times, with the industry facing a "three tens" rule: 10 years of development, 10 billion USD in costs, and a success rate below 10% [7][8] - Companies like Jiahe Biopharma faced setbacks, such as the rejection of their PD-1 drug application, resulting in significant losses from years of investment [7][8] - The cultural shift required for innovation, moving from a "follow-the-recipe" approach in generics to "creating new recipes" in innovation, poses significant organizational challenges [8][9] Strategic Insights - The synergy between generic and innovative drug development is crucial, with traditional companies leveraging their experience in supply chain management and quality control to enhance the commercialization of innovative drugs [6][7] - The industry requires a diverse range of smaller, specialized companies to foster innovation through trial and error, which is essential for breakthroughs in a high-risk environment [9]