Xi Niu Cai Jing·2025-12-29 09:34Core Insights - The article discusses the transformation of Chinese pharmaceutical companies from merely selling products to actively participating in global value chains, with a significant increase in outbound licensing deals reaching over $100 billion by November 2025, a 75% increase year-on-year [3][4]. Group 1: Major Transactions - In 2024, major deals like Hengrui's $5 billion GLP-1 product and a $12.5 billion upfront payment from Pfizer to 3SBio for a dual antibody drug highlight the trend of billion-dollar collaborations becoming standard [4][6]. - Hengrui's partnership with GSK for $12.5 billion includes not only current products but also options for 11 early-stage projects, indicating a shift towards long-term strategic partnerships [4][10]. Group 2: Licensing Strategies - Chinese companies are moving from "one-off sales" to retaining rights in core markets while sharing rights in other regions, allowing them to benefit from both local and global markets [5][6]. - The new strategy involves keeping rights for the Greater China region while sharing development costs and rights for other markets, enhancing long-term revenue potential [6][10]. Group 3: Innovative Drug Categories - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and dual antibodies are emerging as key areas for Chinese companies, with significant deals reflecting their growing importance in the global market [6][7]. - The shift from traditional cancer drugs to innovative metabolic drugs like GLP-1 is notable, with companies like FOSUN and Hansoh making substantial deals in this area [14][15]. Group 4: Independent Global Expansion - Companies are increasingly opting for "self-driven" global expansion rather than simply licensing out, as seen with Kangfang Biopharma's approach to leading its own global clinical trials [8][9]. - This strategy, while riskier, offers higher potential returns compared to traditional licensing agreements [9]. Group 5: Platform-Based Collaborations - The trend is shifting from selling individual products to offering entire R&D platforms, as demonstrated by Hengrui's collaboration with GSK, which includes options for future projects [10][11]. - This model allows companies to monetize their ongoing research capabilities, enhancing their value proposition to partners [10][11]. Group 6: Regulatory and Pricing Developments - The introduction of a drug pricing registration system by China's National Healthcare Security Administration is expected to alleviate concerns about domestic pricing affecting global pricing strategies [12][13]. - This regulatory change has led to increased foreign investment in Chinese R&D, with a 28% year-on-year growth in 2025 [13]. Group 7: Market Valuation Changes - The market's evaluation criteria for Chinese innovative drug companies have shifted from focusing on generic drug revenues to assessing the value of outbound pipelines and global clinical progress [19][21]. - The average price-to-earnings ratio for innovative drug companies in China has risen significantly, reflecting a revaluation of their market potential [21].