Investment Strategy Overview - The core investment strategy for the pharmaceutical sector in 2026 emphasizes innovation and the recovery of profitability within the industry, as the sector has shown signs of stabilization after a period of volatility [4][30]. Innovative Drug Industry Chain - The domestic innovative drug sector is gaining global recognition, with a significant increase in the attention from multinational corporations (MNCs) towards domestic assets. The demand for new products is strong, driven by the approaching patent cliffs for MNCs and favorable policies for domestic drugs entering international markets [5][44]. - The market for PD-(L)1/VEGF bispecific antibodies is experiencing heightened interest, with complementary mechanisms to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) expected to drive synergy and growth [5][51]. - The demand for new therapeutic modalities such as peptides, ADCs, small nucleic acids, and cell and gene therapies (CGT) is projected to maintain high growth rates, supported by a recovering outsourcing demand during the overseas interest rate decline [6][43]. Non-Pharmaceutical Sector - The medical device sector is showing signs of recovery, with some companies reporting improved performance in Q3 2025. The bidding for medical equipment is expected to continue recovering, leading to better performance in 2026 [6][7]. - The traditional Chinese medicine sector is anticipated to benefit from ongoing adjustments to the essential drug list, with opportunities for price increases and improved profit margins for leading companies [6][7]. Retail Pharmacy Sector - The retail pharmacy industry is undergoing accelerated consolidation, with leading pharmacies optimizing their store structures to alleviate profit pressures. This is expected to result in a noticeable improvement in profit margins in 2026 [7]. Market Performance and Valuation - The pharmaceutical sector has shown a rebound since early 2025, with a notable increase in the market index, outperforming the broader market indices. As of November 21, 2025, the CITIC Pharmaceutical Index had risen by 14.68% [15][30]. - The valuation of the pharmaceutical sector is at a historical median since 2010, with a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 48.38X, indicating a high premium compared to the broader market [17][30]. - The scale of pharmaceutical funds reached a record high of 226 billion yuan by Q3 2025, although the market capitalization of pharmaceutical stocks remains below historical peaks, suggesting potential for growth [20][24]. Financial Performance - The pharmaceutical sector's revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 was 185.46 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 1.34%. However, Q3 2025 showed a revenue increase of 1.18% compared to the previous quarter, indicating signs of recovery [30][31]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders for the pharmaceutical sector in the first three quarters of 2025 was 14.06 billion yuan, down 1.69% year-on-year, but with a positive growth of 3.61% in Q3 2025 compared to the previous quarter [30][31].