Antibody-drug conjugates emerge as China’s next big cancer bet, industry forum says

Speakers argued that chasing the most crowded tumour types is a recipe for commoditisation; instead, firms should focus on differentiated science, unique targets, optimized payloads and improved safety profiles, that can command premium pricing and clearer market positions. One forum participant noted that while many domestic ADC programmes target lung cancer, meaningfully less competition exists in areas such as certain prostate cancers, where a first-to-market differentiated therapy could translate into superior returns and partnership interest from global pharmaceutical groups.

Commercial and operational imperatives were also front and centre. Successful ADC rollouts require robust manufacturing and quality systems for complex biologics as well as larger clinical networks to generate pivotal data acceptable to regulators outside China. Several companies at the forum stressed the importance of designing global trials and securing early dialogues with overseas regulators so that approvals can support both domestic reimbursement and export opportunities; financing and strategic alliances were cited as essential to sustain long development timelines.

If Chinese developers can combine genuine scientific differentiation with disciplined global development plans, ADCs could become a durable export strength for the sector rather than another crowded therapeutic race. The industry’s shift toward selective categories, deeper technical IP and international trial design suggests Beijing’s biotech ecosystem is moving from volume-driven ambition to more targeted, value-driven drug discovery.