UBS summarized in its China’s biotech report – “Oncology: A driving force for innovation in Chinese biotech”.
An article by Pharmacodia in 2017 said the top 3 therapeutic areas for biologics in China are cancer, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hepatitis B virus (HBV)[1].
Another bluebook in 2017 outlined the five focus areas for China’s biotechnologies[2]: 1) vaccines, 2) mAb and protein drugs for cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, 3) diagnostics and screening for major diseases, 4) gene therapies, cell therapies, 5) regenerative medicine
China suffers from an unusually high incidence of cancer, which has been the country’s leading cause of death since 2010. Nearly all companies (five out of six) went onto HKSE in 2018 are investing in oncology (except for Hua Medicine focusing on diabetes).
Among all the cancers, lung cancer is the most targeted disease due to the high incidence rate in China.
Globally, oncology is also the No.1 focus for the overall industry, accounting for more than 1/3 of the total pipeline, according to a 2018 report[3].
To develop cancer treatments, biotech companies usually focus on developments in mAbs (monoclonal antibodies), immuno-oncology, CAR-T therapies, etc.
Other breakthrough researches & developments including Qinghaosu (or Artemisinin), discovered by the team led by Youyou Tu to fight malaria.
[1] http://classic.hsmap.com/news_info/4080.html
[2] https://hsmap.com/static/bluebook.pdf
[3] https://pharmaintelligence.informa.com/resources/product-content/sitecore/shell//~/media/informa-shop-window/pharma/files/pdfs/pharma-rd-annual-review-webinar-2018-slides.pdf