Henlius 2025 Global R&D Day: Innovating for Future Success

In a remarkable showcase of commitment to innovation and collaboration, Henlius (2696.HK) held its 2025 Global R&D Day, themed "Collaborate to Create." The event brought together top executives, industry leaders, and experts from the academic and investment sectors, all eager to explore advancements in research and development (R&D), strategic planning, and cutting-edge therapies. Hundreds of attendees participated, highlighting the significance of collaborative efforts in addressing unmet medical needs.

At the forefront of Henlius's presentation was its impressive portfolio of innovative products. Notable among them were serplulimab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody; HLX22, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody; and HLX43, a PD-L1 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The latter is particularly noteworthy as it stands as the first Chinese ADC and the second PD-L1 ADC globally, showing promising preclinical efficacy and favorable safety profiles. These drugs are poised to tackle significant unmet needs, particularly in lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

HLX43 integrates a proprietary antibody with MediLink’s dual-release payload, potentially revolutionizing treatment for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Similarly, HLX22 emerges as a leading candidate for the treatment of HER2-positive gastric cancer, introducing a novel mechanism to interrupt tumor signaling pathways, potentially redefining front-line therapy options for this patient population.

Additionally, Henlius unveiled its advanced technological platforms including the Hinova TCE, designed for tri-specific T cell engagement in solid tumors, the proprietary ADC platform, Hanjugator™, and the AI-driven drug discovery platform, HAI Club. These intricate R&D matrices serve to accelerate the development of differentiated therapies, reflecting the company’s strategic foresight in innovation.

Henlius also emphasized the advancement of its exclusive hyaluronidase technology, Henozye™, and its focus on subcutaneous injection methodologies, aimed at streamlining development pipelines for both new drugs and biosimilars, while extending the lifecycle of its products.

In the context of globalization, Henlius prioritizes expansion, with Japan earmarked as a strategic market under its "Internationalization 2.0" strategy. The company leverages Japan's aging population and supportive regulatory landscape to accelerate clinical trials for HLX22 and serplulimab, envisioning a comprehensive value chain from R&D to market introduction.

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled "Partnering for Success," featuring Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi. She emphasized the potential of therapies targeting sialoglycans in oncology and immunology. Collaborating with Henlius has sped up the development of their HLX79 fusion protein, further exemplifying the synergy possible when academic excellence meets industry expertise.

Industry leaders reiterated that Henlius's integrated capabilities in antibody development, clinical execution, and world-class manufacturing are pivotal to establishing high-level partnerships. By fostering trust-based alliances, the company is progressively expanding its therapeutic ecosystem on a global scale.

The event concluded with a strong call for industry-wide collaboration to bridge the preclinical-clinical divide, leveraging AI and data-driven strategies to enhance patient-centric innovation. With 2025 as a pivotal year, Henlius aims to convert technological advancements into clinical value, reinforcing China's role in the global biopharmaceutical landscape.

Through such innovative collaborations and a clear strategic vision, Henlius is not only setting the stage for breakthrough therapies but also charting a path toward impactful solutions for patients around the world.