CHINA

Hutchmed Pulls Cancer Drug in China After U.S. Partner Flags Safety Risks

Published: Mar. 10, 2026 10:48 p.m. GMT+8

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Hutchmed acquired the rights to develop and commercialize tazemetostat in Greater China from Epizyme in August 2021. Photo: VCG

Hong Kong-listed Hutchmed Co. Ltd. is withdrawing its cancer treatment tazemetostat in Greater China less than a year after its commercial launch, following a decision by its partner Ipsen to pull the drug in the U.S. over safety concerns.

In a March 9 filing, Hutchmed said it has begun withdrawing the drug from the market and recalling supplies in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. The medicine is sold under the brand name Tazverik. All ongoing clinical trials for tazemetostat in the region will be halted.

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Hutchmed is withdrawing cancer drug tazemetostat (Tazverik) in Greater China after partner Ipsen pulled it in the U.S. due to safety concerns.
The drug generated only $2.5 million in sales after a $30 million investment; all regional clinical trials are halted, and the drug is being recalled.
Hutchmed's 2025 revenue fell 13% to $549 million, but net profit rose to $457 million due to a one-time asset sale.

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Who’s Who

Hutchmed Co. Ltd.: Hutchmed Co. Ltd. is withdrawing its cancer drug tazemetostat (Tazverik) in Greater China after its partner, Ipsen, pulled the drug in the U.S. due to safety concerns. Hutchmed had spent $30 million on licensing fees for the drug, which generated only $2.5 million in sales in China. This highlights risks in the "license-in" strategy for Chinese drugmakers.

Ipsen: Ipsen, a pharmaceutical company, owns Epizyme Inc., the original developer of tazemetostat (Tazverik). Ipsen has decided to voluntarily withdraw tazemetostat in the U.S. due to safety concerns, specifically the risk of adverse events like secondary blood cancers outweighing potential benefits, based on a review of data from the SYMPHONY-1 clinical study.

Epizyme Inc.: Epizyme Inc., now owned by Ipsen, originally developed tazemetostat (Tazverik), a first-in-class EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitor. The drug received accelerated approval in the U.S. in 2020 for epithelioid sarcoma and certain follicular lymphoma types. Hutchmed acquired the rights to develop and commercialize tazemetostat in Greater China from Epizyme in August 2021.

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