The 2026 ESMO Congress, recently held in Madrid, has served as an international showcase for Chinese pharmaceutical innovation. In this edition, Hengrui Pharma has unveiled 64 research results, a new all-time high for the company, which reinforces the strength and clinical potential of China’s pharmaceutical R&D on the global stage.
Broad deployment of oncology research and leadership of Chinese innovation
Hengrui has for years maintained a firm commitment to improving the approach to cancer, and the works presented this year at the ESMO Congress have once again highlighted that trajectory. In total, 64 oncology studies were accepted for presentation, including three featured presentations, three rapid oral communications, 32 posters and 26 electronic posters. The research covered more than ten types of tumors — including gastrointestinal, lung and breast cancers, as well as gynecological and genitourinary cancers — in addition to studies on supportive care. These projects involved 21 innovative medicines developed in China, nine of which are already authorized and 12 of which are in the clinical research phase.
Hengrui Oncology has been attending the ESMO Congress continuously since 2016, adding up to 11 consecutive years of participation. Since 2023, the company has presented nearly 200 research results at this forum, which demonstrates the strength of its commitment to innovation in oncology and its contribution to placing the Chinese pharmaceutical industry at the forefront of the international scene.
Dr. Karen Atkin, Director of Global Business Strategy and Product Portfolio at Hengrui Pharma, said: "ESMO constitutes a fundamental platform for scientific exchange in the field of oncology worldwide. We are pleased to share Hengrui's latest research and to dialogue with colleagues from around the world about emerging scientific advances and possible areas of collaboration. Looking ahead, we will continue to drive our international development strategy and expand the opportunities to develop our innovative medicines in collaboration with international partners, with the aim of offering more therapeutic options to patients around the world".
From scientific evidence to clinical benefit: high-value oncology innovation
The development of Hengrui Oncology is supported by sustained investment in R&D. With decades of experience in the discovery and development of cancer therapies, Hengrui Pharma has shaped a comprehensive strategy based on four pillars for its innovative treatments: precision therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and supportive care. In addition to strengthening established technological platforms such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), Hengrui Oncology is driving emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery (AIDD), with the aim of integrating AI into the development process and optimizing research efficiency.
As of June 2026, 14 Class 1 innovative oncology drugs, developed entirely by the company, had been approved for marketing in China. Hengrui Oncology has a broad portfolio covering seven major therapeutic areas, oncology supportive care, and other fields with important unmet medical needs. Likewise, it has nearly 50 innovative assets in clinical development and approximately 100 clinical trials underway in different countries. Several of these products have received orphan drug and fast track designations from the U.S. FDA.
Oncology acts as one of the main drivers of Hengrui's innovative transformation and constitutes one of the areas with the greatest research intensity and the most established channels for turning science into marketable products. In 2025, sales of innovative oncology drugs accounted for 81.02% of Hengrui's total innovative drug revenue, which highlights the company's sustained effort to translate innovation into clinical and also commercial value.
Based on this established commercial structure, Hengrui Oncology is strengthening its positioning in the global innovation ecosystem. Through a network of 15 R&D centers spread across Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and other strategic markets, the company drives international multicenter clinical trials for multiple innovative programs and develops regulatory and scientific capabilities in the main global markets. Hengrui Pharma actively explores different collaboration models —such as out-licensing, co-development and NewCo partnerships— with the aim of fostering international cooperation in oncology projects and accelerating the arrival of innovative therapies in overseas markets.
A patient-centered philosophy continues to be the axis of Hengrui Oncology's R&D strategy. Looking to the future, the company plans to continue driving innovation from its origin and bring a greater number of medicines developed in China to global markets, expanding therapeutic alternatives for people with cancer and contributing Chinese experience and innovation to the international fight against this disease.
About Hengrui Pharma
Hengrui Pharma is a global and innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of high-quality medicines aimed at unmet clinical needs. Its main focus areas include oncology, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, immunological and respiratory pathologies and neuroscience. Since its founding in 1970, and guided by a patient-centered philosophy, Hengrui Pharma maintains its commitment to advancing human health, working to combat disease, improve quality of life and prolong it through science and technology. For more information, you can visit Hengrui.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.