中国力量崛起，跨国药企加速“买入”中国创新

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant growth in the Chinese innovative drug sector, particularly through record-breaking business development (BD) transactions, exemplified by Rongchang Biopharma's partnership with Vor Biopharma, which underscores the global competitiveness of Chinese innovative drugs [3][4][30]. Group 1: Record-Breaking BD Transactions - Rongchang Biopharma announced a milestone international licensing agreement with Vor Biopharma for its innovative drug, Taitasip, with a total deal value of $4.23 billion, setting a new record for outbound licensing in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry [3][4]. - The deal includes a $45 million upfront payment, $80 million in warrants, and up to $4.105 billion in milestone payments, along with a royalty on future sales [3][4]. - Taitasip has shown strong commercial performance, with domestic sales exceeding 1.5 million units in 2024, representing a 95% year-on-year growth, making it a key driver of Rongchang Biopharma's revenue [5]. Group 2: 2025 as a Year of BD Growth - The article notes that 2025 is expected to be a significant year for innovative drug BD transactions, with multinational corporations (MNCs) in China already reaching $9.1 billion in upfront payments by June 2025, surpassing the total for 2024 [7][8]. - The urgency for MNCs to engage in BD transactions is driven by the impending patent cliff, with over $100 billion in sales from major drugs set to lose patent protection in the next five years [12][13]. Group 3: Patent Cliff and MNC Strategies - The approaching patent cliff poses a substantial challenge for MNCs, necessitating the acquisition of innovative drugs to extend product lifecycles and mitigate revenue losses [12][13]. - The article lists several key drugs facing patent expiration, including Merck's Keytruda, which generated $25 billion in sales in 2023 and will lose patent protection in 2028 [14]. Group 4: Chinese Innovative Drugs' Competitive Edge - The performance of the Hong Kong innovative drug sector has been impressive, with the Hong Kong Innovative Drug ETF rising over 52% in 2025, reflecting the shift from a generic-following model to a focus on developing globally competitive innovative products [21]. - The article emphasizes that the core competitiveness of Chinese innovative drug companies lies in their ability to produce high-quality products, as evidenced by significant BD transactions from international firms like BMS and Pfizer, totaling over $17 billion in 2025 [24]. Group 5: Future Outlook and Investment Opportunities - The ongoing BD boom in innovative drugs is seen as a strategic move by MNCs to navigate the challenges posed by the patent cliff, highlighting the robust R&D capabilities of Chinese companies [26][30]. - The article suggests that while market expectations for innovative drugs are high, only companies with solid clinical data and clear commercial prospects will sustain growth, indicating a need for investors to identify firms with genuine international competitiveness [28][29].