Core Insights - The article discusses the increasing trend of antimetabolite drugs in China, highlighting the growth in the number of brands and sales volume in recent years [1][5][11] Antimetabolite Drug Industry Definition and Classification - Antimetabolite drugs interfere with normal cellular metabolism to inhibit cell growth and proliferation, primarily used in cancer treatment [4][6] - These drugs are classified into five categories based on their target mechanisms, including thymidylate synthase inhibitors and dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors [2][6] Current Development Status of Antimetabolite Drugs - The number of antimetabolite drug brands in China has increased to 121 in 2024, with a projected rise to 130 by the first quarter of 2025 [5] - The primary product in the market is capecitabine tablets, which accounted for 51.55% of the market share in 2024, with sales of 41,478 million tablets [5][9] Sales and Market Share of Antimetabolite Drugs - In 2024, the sales volume of capecitabine tablets was 41,478 million tablets, while methotrexate tablets and tegafur capsules had sales of 15,343 million tablets and 15,566 million capsules, respectively [5] - By the first quarter of 2025, capecitabine sales were 11,409 million tablets, maintaining a market share of 54.99% [5] Industry Chain of Antimetabolite Drugs - The upstream of the antimetabolite drug industry includes raw materials like methotrexate and fluorouracil, while the midstream focuses on drug development and production [6][8] - The downstream consists of sales and distribution channels, primarily through medical institutions and pharmacies [6] Competitive Landscape of the Antimetabolite Drug Industry - Major companies in the antimetabolite drug market include Qilu Pharmaceutical, Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, and Shanghai Pharmaceutical, with Qilu holding a market share of 40.67% in 2024 [8][9] - Sales figures for Qilu Pharmaceutical in 2024 included 22,315 million capecitabine tablets and 10,415 million tegafur capsules [8] Development Trends in the Antimetabolite Drug Industry - The demand for antimetabolite drugs is expected to grow due to an aging population and rising chronic disease rates [11] - The industry is characterized by continuous innovation supported by advancements in biotechnology and molecular biology [11]