China blazing trail with novel drugs

China now ranks second globally for new drug development, producing 20 percent of the world's novel pharmaceuticals. The nation's growing health science capabilities have already led to the creation of innovative cancer treatments and will soon enable a new policy to expand free access to a cancer-prevention vaccine, health officials said on Thursday.

Guo Yanhong, deputy director of the National Health Commission, said a number of innovative drugs, including novel cancer treatments, have gained market approval in recent years, filling critical gaps in the nation's portfolio of domestically produced medicines.

Among them, Zanubrutinib, used to treat certain blood cancers, has obtained market authorization in several countries, she said during a news conference held by the State Council Information Office.

One highlight in vaccine development is the production of several domestic HPV vaccines, which have been widely adopted and have significantly improved vaccine accessibility, Guo said.

HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, the fifth-most common cancer among Chinese women. It kills about 56,000 women annually.

This week, the nation's first homegrown HPV vaccine that can protect against nine virus strains — on par with the most advanced dose globally at less than half the price — was rolled out, offering more options for women in need, Guo said.

"The overall capacity of health science and technology has continued to strengthen, resulting in a series of groundbreaking advances and landmark achievements," she said.

Shen Hongbing, deputy director of the commission and head of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, said the nation plans to include HPV vaccines in its national immunization program and roll out HPV vaccination services this year for all eligible girls.

The nation's free immunization initiative now covers 14 vaccines that protect against 15 diseases. The program has not been expanded since 2007.

China approved its first homegrown HPV vaccine near the end of 2019 and now has three domestic options.

The increasing availability of more affordable domestic vaccines has so far prompted authorities in 18 provincial-level regions and a number of cities to offer free vaccinations to eligible girls, usually covering those ages 9 to 14. These programs use domestically developed vaccines that offer protection against the two most common HPV strains.

In a statement released in late August, the commission said free immunization programs had covered about 60 percent of all eligible girls nationwide.

An official survey carried out in early 2021 also showed that 82 percent of participants were willing to vaccinate their daughters with the HPV vaccine. Health literacy about cervical cancer among women has grown to over 90 percent, according to the commission.

In addition to advancements in drug and vaccine development, Guo said a range of domestic medical devices — from advanced CT scanners and surgical robots to artificial hearts and proton and heavy ion radiotherapy systems — have been successfully developed and put into clinical use.

"A homegrown photon-counting CT scanner is capable of tripling the resolution of traditional machines, giving faster scans while lowering radiation exposure," she said. "Domestically developed orthopedic and soft-tissue surgical robots can improve precision while reducing trauma."

Chinese doctors have also formulated novel treatment plans for complicated diseases. For instance, a treatment protocol for metastatic colorectal cancer has increased the response rate from 13 percent to 44 percent and has resulted in a 61 percent extension in patients' progression-free survival, Guo said.

Regarding the nation's birth-friendly policy, Guo said online and offline portals for claiming an annual child care subsidy have opened.