Industry Investment Rating - The investment rating for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is "Outperform the Market" and is maintained [1] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights that the demand for hepatitis B cure remains a blue ocean, with CpAMs and small nucleic acid drugs expected to lead the way in achieving functional cures. The large base of hepatitis B infections in China and the limitations of existing therapies create a pressing need for effective treatments [4][15] - The implementation of the "Childcare Subsidy System" is expected to enhance the willingness of families to have children, positively impacting related sectors such as pediatric medicine, medical equipment, and maternal health services [6][21][23] - The pharmaceutical sector saw an overall increase of 2.95% this week, outperforming the CSI 300 index by 4.70 percentage points, with the chemical preparation sector showing the highest growth at 5.48% [25][26] Summary by Sections 1. Hepatitis B Treatment Opportunities - The report emphasizes the significant unmet need for hepatitis B cures in China, with approximately 56 million chronic carriers and a high percentage at risk of severe liver disease [15] - Current approved treatments are limited, with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) and pegylated interferon-α showing inadequate rates of functional cure [15][16] - New drug classes, including CpAMs and small nucleic acids, are in advanced clinical stages, with companies like GSK and AHB-137 leading the way [17][18] 2. Childcare Subsidy System - The newly announced childcare subsidy will provide annual financial support of 3,600 yuan per child under three years old, starting from January 1, 2025 [21][22] - This initiative is expected to boost sectors related to child healthcare and maternal services, enhancing market opportunities for companies in these fields [23][24] 3. Weekly Performance of Pharmaceutical Sector - The pharmaceutical sector's performance this week was marked by a 2.95% increase, with the chemical preparation sector leading at 5.48% [25][26] - The report notes a significant divergence in performance among sub-sectors, with medical devices experiencing a decline of 1.43% [26][32] 4. Beneficiary Stocks - The report identifies several beneficiary stocks across various segments, including innovative drugs (e.g., Innovent Biologics, BeiGene), traditional Chinese medicine (e.g., Jiuzhitang), and medical devices (e.g., Mindray Medical) [8][9][33][40] 5. Market Outlook - The report suggests a positive outlook for innovative drugs driven by overseas expansion and supportive policy developments, with a focus on companies with strong clinical data and market potential [31] - The medical device sector is expected to benefit from upcoming procurement policies and a recovery in demand, particularly for high-end equipment [32][33]

Core Viewpoint - The phase II clinical trial results of Hepu Pharmaceutical's innovative drug Hepulapide combined with PEG interferon for chronic hepatitis B treatment have shown significant efficacy, meeting the sterilizing cure standards set by AASLD and EASL [1][5]. Company Summary - Hepu Pharmaceutical is preparing to initiate phase III clinical trials for Hepulapide in treating chronic hepatitis B, aiming for market registration to benefit patients globally [3]. - The company has developed Hepulapide, a class 1 innovative drug that blocks HBV from entering the cell nucleus, addressing a critical gap in current hepatitis B treatments [4]. Industry Summary - Chronic hepatitis B, caused by HBV, is a highly prevalent infectious disease, with approximately 296 million people infected globally as of 2022, including about 89 million in China [3]. - Current treatments for hepatitis B, such as nucleos(t)ide analogs and interferons, do not cure the disease due to the persistence of cccDNA in the cell nucleus, which can reactivate HBV replication [4].