One Chinese biotech executive is entertaining hopes of China’s domestic market for novel drugs growing to CNY300bn ($41bn). However, the country’s public payer spent just CNY90bn on such products in 2023 and is expected to increase expenditure to more than CNY100bn this year.

A reported buyout bid for Legend Biotech has delivered a much needed shot of confidence to the Chinese biotech sector, despite not being confirmed. Amid a shifting environment, Hengrui also sees globalization as essential to its future.

Having initiated China-only Phase III trials with three oncology and autoimmune drug candidates, HUTCHMED is looking for partnerships to take the molecules to the clinic in the US.

The second quarter in South Korea was marked by the return of several assets by licensing partners, including Thea Open Innovation, which gave back rights to two ophthalmic programs in-licensed from OliX. Merck & Co. also cancelled a co-research deal with Artiva Biotherapeutics.