HK Stock Market Move | CRO concept stocks surged amid fluctuations, with companies experiencing simultaneous increases in order volume and prices. AI in drug development is expected to reshape the pharmaceutical research and development landscape.

CRO concept stocks rallied in the afternoon, as of the time of writing, GENSCRIPT BIO (01548) rose 10.71% to HKD 34.32; Asymchem Laboratories (06821) increased by 8.5% to HKD 142.9; Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting (03347) was up 7.11% at HKD 41.56; Pharmaron Beijing (03759) rose 3.9% to HKD 29.3. In terms of news, according to Shanghai Securities News, the pharmaceutical innovation industry is improving, which is accelerating its impact on the CRO industry chain. With active business development (BD) transactions in innovative pharmaceuticals, R&D funding for pharmaceutical companies is becoming increasingly abundant. To seize the window for innovative drug development and ensure project progress, pharmaceutical firms are more willing to pay for external R&D services, leading to a simultaneous increase in both the volume and value of orders for CRO companies. Notably, the domestic first original drug developed with the assistance of artificial intelligenceAipsu Weihas been conditionally approved for market launch by the National Medical Products Administration. Analysts have pointed out that AI-assisted new drug development has moved beyond mere concept, truly supporting the journey of original drugs from discovery to clinical trials, and eventually to market. CMSC research reports indicate a clear upward trend in the CXO sector. In the first half of this year, the domestic CXO sector saw revenue and net profit attributable to the parent company increase by 24.5% and 52.7% year-on-year, respectively, with profit growth nearing the peak of the previous cycle; both existing orders and newly signed orders are experiencing a full recovery, prompting leading companies to revise their annual guidance upwards. Internationally, demand for preclinical R&D has reached a turning point, with Charles Rivers DSA business book-to-bill ratio hitting a nearly four-year high. Additionally, AI in pharmaceuticals is expected to reshape the pharmaceutical R&D landscape and enhance drug development efficiency, which will benefit the sector.