AGP Executive Report

ALS Research: Shanghai’s Zhimeng Biopharma completed enrollment of 255 patients in a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of its ALS drug, setting up the next stage of testing. Brain Injury: A preliminary Chinese study found improved conscious behaviour in 13 of 24 patients after focused ultrasound; one man regained speech and mobility, but rehabilitation may also have contributed, and the report did not establish whether there was a control group. Patient Safety: Parents in northeast China are seeking answers after one needle was reportedly used on 78 pupils during tuberculosis screening. Healthcare Reach: A Chinese hospital ship treated 5,909 people during a seven-day mission in Ghana. Public Health: Reports highlight the serious risks linked to betel nut use in China, while the country’s population of people aged 65 and older has surpassed the number of children under 15.

Patient Safety: Parents are demanding answers after the same needle was reportedly used on 78 students during a tuberculosis screening in northeast China, spotlighting infection-control concerns. Drug Research: China now hosts nearly half of the world’s new drug trials, reflecting its growing role in clinical research and medicine development. Primary Care: AI is driving changes in China’s primary-care services, as health providers look to digital tools to reshape frontline care. Aging Population: In 2025, people aged 65 and over outnumbered children under 15 in China for the first time, sharpening the need to plan for the country’s changing health and care needs.

CIIE Preview: Global drugmakers and medical-device firms will showcase new treatments, AI diagnostic tools and surgical systems at Shanghai’s Nov. 5 import expo, including therapies nearing Chinese approval. Vaccine Manufacturing: Zambia says construction of an oral cholera vaccine plant, backed by a Chinese company, will begin next month; it is designed to produce 20 million doses a year. Genomics Tensions: The US barred imports from BGI Genomics, MGI Tech and a related company over alleged forced-labor links, allegations Beijing rejects. Patient Safety: A report that one needle was used on 78 students during tuberculosis screening in northeast China raises concerns about infection-control practices. Care and Innovation: AI is reshaping China’s primary-care services, while the country has approved a brain implant intended to help people with paralysis use their hands. Ageing Society: China now has more people over 65 than children under 15, sharpening the challenge of meeting older adults’ healthcare needs.

Genomics Dispute: The US barred imports from three Chinese biotech firms, including BGI, over alleged forced-labor links in Xinjiang. Beijing rejected the allegations, escalating tensions in biotech trade. Research and Innovation: Chinese cancer drugmakers drew attention at a global oncology congress, while China approved a brain implant designed to help people with paralysis use their hands. Healthcare Cooperation: Chinese and Swiss businesses discussed collaboration in biomedicine and AI; separately, a Chinese hospital ship provided care in Ghana. Health System Pressures: China’s old-age dependency ratio surpassed its child dependency ratio for the first time in 2025, sharpening the challenge of meeting older people’s care needs.

Medical Access: Hainan will let overseas-licensed doctors provide clinical care for up to three years, with extensions possible, under new measures to open the free-trade port to foreign professionals. Cancer Research: Chinese drugmakers presented new oncology findings at a global meeting; a China trial reported longer survival with ivonescimab plus chemotherapy than with a durvalumab-based regimen in advanced bile-duct cancer. Neurotechnology: China approved a brain implant designed to help people with paralysis use their hands. Aging: China’s old-age dependency ratio surpassed its child dependency ratio for the first time in 2025, underscoring the growing demand for elder care.

Medical Devices: China has approved a brain implant designed to help people with paralysis regain hand function, marking a notable step in assistive technology. Cancer Research: Chinese-developed cancer drugs drew a strong showing at the ESMO congress: 29 studies were selected as late-breaking abstracts, including five for presidential sessions. A China trial also found savolitinib plus Tagrisso extended median survival by about five months over chemotherapy in MET-driven lung cancer. Rare-Disease Care: China and Indonesia are deepening health cooperation, with efforts aimed at improving care for patients with rare diseases. Aging and Care: China’s older population now exceeds its child population, adding urgency to community-based eldercare, which the country is expanding. Heart Health: A study of nearly 486,000 adults linked regular tea drinking with an 11% lower risk of heart and vascular disease.

Tea and Heart Health: A study following nearly 486,000 people in China linked regular tea drinking to an 11% lower risk of vascular disease, though the association varied by tea type and strength; very hot tea was linked to higher risk. Drug Innovation: Hengrui Pharma reported an 88.9% rise in third-quarter profit, driven by licensing deals, and presented 64 oncology studies at ESMO. China also approved Bayer’s asundexian, the country’s first Factor XIa inhibitor, for stroke prevention. Aging and Care: China’s old-age dependency ratio has overtaken its child dependency ratio for the first time, adding urgency to plans for community care, long-term care insurance and age-friendly services.

Digital Health: A Chinese company is extending AI health services from hospitals into people’s homes. Psoriasis Research: Chinese researchers report that pantethine, a vitamin B5 derivative, eased symptoms in a small patient trial when added to topical treatment; results are preliminary, with supporting tests in mice. Heart Health: A study tracking more than 485,000 adults in China linked regular tea drinking with an 11% lower risk of vascular disease, while “burning hot” tea was associated with higher risk. The findings show association, not cause and effect. Healthcare Access: China’s basic medical insurance paid out US$259.5 billion in the first nine months of 2026, as the country also expands community-based care for its ageing population. Disaster Response: Health services and emergency facilities are supporting resettlement in quake-hit Xizang.

Pharma: Hengrui’s third-quarter profit jumped 88.9% as licensing deals boosted earnings. China’s drug pipeline also advanced: regulators accepted Innovent’s application for a sintilimab combination for advanced melanoma, while Bayer’s stroke-prevention drug asundexian received its first approval in China. Clinical Research: A real-world Chinese study found mavacamten sharply reduced heart outflow obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Separately, electroacupuncture improved gut movement in constipated mice, but the findings need testing in people. Health System: China’s basic medical insurance paid out US$259.5 billion in the first nine months of 2026. In quake-hit Xizang, injured residents received tailored medical care as health services and emergency facilities supported recovery and resettlement.

Brain Health: A large study involving Chinese researchers found that taking part in three or more social activities was linked to stronger cognitive performance and slower age-related decline. Health Coverage: China’s basic medical insurance paid out US$259.5 billion in the first nine months of 2026, while community-based care expands for the ageing population. Cancer Research: In a China trial, Ris-Rez cut the risk of progression or death by 67% versus chemotherapy for patients with relapsed osteosarcoma; survival data remain immature. Quake Response: Medical teams are providing tailored care to people injured in the deadly Xizang earthquake, as health services support resettlement. Critical Care: A 39-hospital trial in China found that adding dobutamine to norepinephrine during septic-shock surgery reduced patients’ risk of kidney damage.

Quake Response: Medical teams are treating survivors of the 7.0-magnitude Xizang earthquake, which killed 16 people and injured 76, as hospitals and emergency services support recovery. Cancer Care: In a China phase III trial, HUTCHMED’s ORPATHYS plus TAGRISSO cut the risk of disease progression or death by 44% overall in previously untreated lung cancer patients with specific mutations; the benefit reached 55% in those with high MET expression. Health Coverage: China’s basic medical insurance paid out US$259.5 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Heart Health: A study of nearly 486,000 adults linked regular tea drinking to an 11% lower risk of heart and vascular disease, though it does not establish cause and effect. Child Safety: A Chinese kindergarten operator received a life sentence after lead poisoning sickened hundreds of children, underscoring the risks of serious failures in school oversight.

Quake Response: After a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Xizang killed 16 people and injured 76, medical teams treated residents at mobile stations while disease-control teams monitored more than 3,600 people at resettlement sites and checked water safety. Cancer Care: At ESMO 2026, a China-led phase III trial found ivonescimab plus chemotherapy cut the risk of death by 25% versus durvalumab plus chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancer. Another trial found sacituzumab tirumotecan plus pembrolizumab extended median progression-free survival to 15 months, from 5.7 months, in first-line treatment of PD-L1-negative lung cancer. Heart Health: A study of nearly 486,000 adults in China linked regular tea drinking with an 11% lower risk of vascular disease over about nine years; the findings show an association, not proof that tea prevents disease. Hepatitis Testing: A multicenter evaluation at three Chinese hospitals found a combined hepatitis C antibody-and-antigen test closely matched a two-test workflow, though RNA testing remains important to confirm active infection.

Quake Response: After a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Xizang killed 16 people and injured 76, authorities have delivered medical care and emergency supplies to affected communities. Cancer Research: In a 682-patient China trial, Akeso says ivonescimab plus chemotherapy improved survival over an Imfinzi-based regimen for advanced bile duct cancer; detailed results are due at the ESMO meeting. Traditional Medicine: A WHO regional director said China can help advance traditional medicine globally, while stressing that integration into health systems must be backed by rigorous checks on safety and effectiveness. Care for Older Adults: China is expanding community-based services as its population ages, aiming to bring more care closer to home. Medical Technology: China has completed a demonstration unit for a next-generation heavy-ion cancer therapy accelerator, a step toward developing advanced treatment technology domestically.

Earthquake Response: A 7.0-magnitude quake in Xizang killed 16 people and injured 76. Rescue teams are providing medical care and shelter, while authorities continue relief efforts. Community Health: A Chinese medical team treated nearly 100 residents at a free outreach clinic in Zanzibar, offering services including eye care, dentistry and traditional Chinese medicine, alongside disease-prevention advice. Medical Diplomacy: China’s hospital ship arrived in Ghana for a week-long mission offering free care. Care for Older Adults: China is expanding community-based services as its population ages, bringing more support closer to residents. Cancer Treatment: China has completed a demonstration unit for a next-generation heavy-ion cancer therapy accelerator.

Earthquake Response: A 7.0-magnitude quake in Xizang killed 16 people and injured 76. Rescue teams have delivered medical care and supplies, and residents of the hardest-hit villages have been resettled. Ageing Care: Hefei is expanding community-based elder care, including short stays at care centres with meals, health services and time for social connection. Eligible residents can receive up to 15 free care days per quarter. Cancer Treatment: China has completed a first demonstration unit of a next-generation heavy-ion cancer therapy accelerator, a step toward developing advanced treatment technology. Medical Outreach: A Chinese naval hospital ship arrived in Ghana for a seven-day mission offering care on board and at local facilities. Separately, a Chinese specialist is helping establish a breast-care unit and train clinicians at the National Referral Hospital. Heart Health: A nine-year study in China linked regular tea drinking with lower vascular disease risk; scalding-hot tea was associated with higher risk.

Earthquake Response: A magnitude-7.0 quake in Xizang has killed 16 people and injured 76, with hundreds of homes damaged. More than 5,000 personnel are supporting rescue, medical care and relief; authorities have sent additional supplies and emergency funds. Cancer Treatment: China has completed a demonstration unit of a domestically developed heavy-ion cancer therapy accelerator in Guangdong. Equipment testing is underway, with clinical trials expected by year-end. Gastric Cancer: Takeda reported positive Phase 3 results for arcotatug tavatecan in previously treated advanced gastric cancer. At interim analysis, median overall survival was 10.2 months, compared with 6.9 months for physician’s-choice treatment; progression-free survival was also longer. Medical Outreach: A Chinese naval hospital ship has arrived in Ghana for a weeklong mission offering free medical services, including surgery, and clinical exchanges with local teams. Drug Development: Gilead will pay nearly $1.3 billion for global rights to an oral inflammation drug program from Shanghai-based PepStar. Its lead candidate is in Phase 1 testing, with no clinical data yet disclosed.