Analysis: China’s Pharma Sector Pivots to ‘First-in-Class’ Drugs Amid Innovation Push
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As Chinese pharmaceutical companies make waves with a series of major overseas business development deals, the domestic industry is pivoting toward a more ambitious goal: developing truly original, “first-in-class” (FIC) drugs.
Having already surpassed other nations in the number of innovative drugs entering clinical trials, China’s drugmakers are now under pressure to move beyond imitation and tackle the high-risk, high-reward world of foundational innovation. To that end, a group of industry players, including several drugmakers, formed the Zhongguancun First-in-Class Innovative Drug Global Strategic Development Alliance (ZFIC) on Sept. 24. The alliance aims to solve financing and global expansion challenges for companies developing these novel treatments.
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- Chinese pharmaceutical companies are shifting focus from copycat drugs to developing original, first-in-class (FIC) drugs, forming the ZFIC alliance to address financing and global expansion.
- China now holds 24% of the world’s FIC drug pipeline, second only to the U.S., with FIC drug candidates rising from 9 in 2015 to 120 in 2024.
- Most Chinese FIC drugs are in early clinical stages, and industry leaders emphasize the need for robust basic research, talent, and sustainable innovation strategies.
- Eli Lilly and Co.
- Wang Li, a senior vice president at Eli Lilly and Co. and head of its drug development and medical affairs center in China, spoke at a forum on September 24. She believes it is "entirely possible for Chinese pharmaceutical companies to pursue FIC drugs" and specified that these drugs must be based on new targets and mechanisms, meet domestic clinical needs, and comply with international market and regulatory standards.
- 2015：
- The number of self-developed FIC drugs from Chinese companies entering clinical trials was nine.
- 2015–2025：
- China’s drug industry grew rapidly by focusing on 'me-too' and 'me-better' drugs.
- 2024：
- The number of self-developed FIC drugs from Chinese companies entering clinical trials reached 120.
- Sept. 24, 2025：
- The Zhongguancun First-in-Class Innovative Drug Global Strategic Development Alliance (ZFIC) was formed.
- Sept. 24, 2025：
- Wang Li, a senior vice president at Eli Lilly and Co., gave remarks at a forum about the pursuit of FIC drugs in China.
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