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Henlius' World R&D Day 2025: Harnessing the Power of Innovation

On April 21, 2025, Henlius (2696.HK) hosted its World R&D Day 2025 in Shanghai under the inspiring theme "Collaborate to Create." This pivotal event gathered industry leaders, executives, and experts to discuss groundbreaking advancements in research and development (R&D), strategic planning, and cutting-edge therapies aimed at addressing unmet medical needs.

Hundreds of participants representing academia, industry, and the investment community attended the event, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for innovation in biotechnology. The focus was not only on the company's rich pipeline of innovative products, including pivotal therapies such as serplulimab (an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody), HLX22 (an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody), and HLX43 (a PD-L1 antibody-drug conjugate), but also on how these therapies are based on addressing significant health challenges, particularly in lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

Innovative Product Portfolio

Henlius showcased its product portfolio that is on the frontline of cancer treatment. HLX43 is noteworthy for being the first PD-L1 ADC developed in China and only the second globally. This innovative therapy combines a proprietary antibody with MediLink's dual-release payload, showing promising preclinical efficacy and a favorable safety profile. Meanwhile, HLX22 offers a novel mechanism to block tumor signaling pathways in HER2-positive gastric cancers, positioning it as a potential first-line treatment option for these patients.

Moreover, the company highlighted its three advanced technology platforms: the Hinova TCE platform for solid tumors, the proprietary ADC Hanjugator™ platform, and the AI-driven drug discovery platform HAI Club. These platforms work in tandem to create a collaborative R&D ecosystem that accelerates the development of distinct therapies aimed at enhancing patient outcomes.

Strategic Globalization Efforts

As part of its internationalization strategy, referred to as "Internationalization 2.0," Henlius has prioritized Japan as a target market. By leveraging Japan's aging population and favorable regulatory environment, the company is accelerating clinical trials for HLX22 and serplulimab to establish a comprehensive value chain from R&D to commercialization.

During the panel titled, "Partnership for Success," Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi, Nobel Laureate 2022, emphasized the promising potential of therapies targeting sialoglycans in oncology and immunology. Collaborative efforts with Henlius have expedited the development of the human sialidase fusion protein HLX79 (E-602). Industry leaders noted Henlius's integrated capabilities in antibody development, clinical execution, and global quality manufacturing as crucial components to fostering impactful partnerships.

Call for Collaboration

The event concluded with a strong call for collaboration across the industry to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical processes. By harnessing artificial intelligence and data-driven strategies, Henlius aims to accelerate patient-centered innovation.

Looking ahead to 2025, Henlius is poised to convert technological advancements into clinical value, further solidifying China's role in the global biopharmaceutical landscape. The company remains committed to innovation and partnership, aiming to transform the future of healthcare through groundbreaking therapies and strategic collaboration.