Core Viewpoint - By 2025, China's innovative pharmaceuticals are expected to demonstrate significant global competitiveness, with record overseas transactions and many companies turning profitable [1][2]. Domestic Review - The global competitiveness of Chinese innovative drugs is highlighted, with a record-breaking overseas transaction total exceeding $135 billion in 2025, and upfront payments reaching $7 billion. The average deal size has increased from $600 million to $900 million [2]. - A comprehensive support system from policy, including review and approval processes to medical insurance payments, is being established, leading to a rapid increase in market share for innovative drugs, particularly in oncology and immunology, which now exceeds 32% [2]. - Companies like BeiGene and Innovent Biologics have already turned profitable, with others like CanSino Biologics and Zai Lab expected to follow suit in the next three years, indicating a positive cycle of capital influx, R&D iteration, and value realization [2]. Overseas Review - The S&P Biotechnology Index has risen over 50% from its bottom in the second half of 2025, driven by interest rate cuts that have shifted funds from tech stocks to biotech [3]. - Major pharmaceutical companies (MNCs) are actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions to supplement their pipelines, particularly in oncology and immunology, as they face a "patent cliff" with key drugs like Keytruda and Opdivo losing patent protection by 2027-2028 [3]. Assessment - Chinese companies are becoming significant partners for the top 20 MNCs, with Chinese transaction amounts accounting for 40% of the global innovative drug market. China is transitioning from a "fast-follower" to a "smart-innovator" in fields like PD-1 bispecific antibodies, ADCs, and small nucleic acids, leading in pipeline numbers and clinical progress [4]. - The speed and cost advantages of Chinese innovative drug companies are notable, with patient recruitment occurring at 2-5 times the speed of international counterparts and costs being half that of Western companies [4]. Key Tracks and Investment Opportunities - Bispecific antibodies are expected to surpass $120 billion in global sales, with Chinese companies leading the development of second-generation IO products [5]. - ADCs are seeing significant contributions from China, with over half of the global pipeline, and are expected to achieve proof of concept (POC) validation by 2026 [5]. - Combination therapies in oncology are showing synergistic effects, with key clinical data expected in 2026 [5]. - The market for iRAS inhibitors is projected to exceed $8 billion in the U.S., with critical breakthroughs anticipated in 2026 [5]. - Small nucleic acids are expanding into broader applications, with key products expected to commercialize and deliver critical data in 2026 [5]. - Protein degradation technologies are advancing rapidly, with numerous autoimmune disease targets expected to yield data in 2026 [5]. - The metabolic and cardiovascular fields are also poised for breakthroughs, with new targets addressing issues like muscle loss associated with GLP-1 therapies [5]. Main Lines and Recommended Focus - Recommended companies in the bispecific antibody space include CanSino Biologics, Innovent Biologics, and others [7]. - ADC-focused companies include I-Mab, Kelun-Biotech, and others [7]. - Small nucleic acid companies to watch include Ribobio, BIBO, and others [7]. - Strategic combinations to consider include CanSino Biologics, BeiGene, and others [8]. - Flexible combinations include BIBO, Eifang Biologics, and others [8]. - Stable combinations include Hengrui Medicine, China National Pharmaceutical Group, and others [8].
华福证券:医药生物业新技术全面突破 战略看多中国创新出海