On November 30^th, 2024, the 2024 China BioMed Innovation and Investment Conference (CBIIC) was grandly held in Guangzhou. The Oncology Drugs Clinical Research Forum gathered top experts, scholars, and industry leaders to discuss advancing the integration and industrialization of anti-tumor drug R&D in China. The forum aimed to promote the deep integration and industrialization of anti-tumor drug R&D in China, enhance the quality and efficiency of clinical trials, and contribute to the development of China’s healthcare sector.

Professor Ma Jun, Vice-Chairman of Clinical Research on Oncology Drugs Specialty Committee of PhIRDA, Director of Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology delivered the opening speech on behalf of the organizers and moderated the first session of the forum.

The second session was moderated by Xue Junli, Secretary-General of Clinical Research on Oncology Drugs Specialty Committee of PhIRDA and Vice Director of Phase I clinical trial center of East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University.

Ma Jun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Executive Vice-President of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, in his report “Cultivating Youth Talent in Scientific Innovation Programs,” elaborated on innovative progress in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment. He provided a detailed introduction to the clinical treatment process of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and specifically elaborated on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiotherapy. Through AI deep learning, the team successfully transformed NPC radiotherapy delineation from manual operation to the intelligent era, significantly improving treatment precision, homogenization level, and efficiency. Based on local Chinese clinical data, Ma’s team established clinical staging standards for NPC, further enhancing the diagnosis and treatment level for domestic patients. Additionally, regarding treatment enhancement, Ma introduced methods to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, enhance T-cell anti-tumor activity, and develop novel therapeutic approaches. He emphasized that the advancement of scientific research and clinical progress relies heavily on cultivating young talents, and through the mutual promotion of talent and projects, the team has not only accelerated innovative research but also injected new vitality into the future of medicine. 

Zheng Limin

Feng Chen

Li Ziming

Wang Rundong

Professor Zheng Limin, Dean at School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Director of Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, delivered a report titled “Myeloid Cells and the Shaping of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment,” Professor Zheng emphasized that despite certain achievements with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, their therapeutic efficacy remains limited, creating an urgent need to identify new immune checkpoints. He pointed out that CAR-T cell therapy's effectiveness in solid tumors is still restricted, primarily due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. He also discussed the dual role of myeloid cells in the tumor immune microenvironment, noting their immunosuppressive functions while also promoting tumor progression. Through analysis of myeloid cells in liver cancer patients, Professor Zheng developed a scoring system to help clinically determine immunotherapy response. He concluded that the key to future immunotherapy lies in regulating the immune microenvironment, discovering new targets, and enhancing immune cells’ anti-tumor capabilities.

Feng Chen, Vice President of Gobroad Healthcare Group, Executive President of Shanghai Gobroad Cancer Hospital, introduced the research hospital model and innovative practices of Gobroad Healthcare Group in his speech. Backed by Hillhouse Investment, the group is committed to promoting clinical translation and research services, establishing multiple clinically-oriented hospitals focused on providing efficient clinical trial platforms. Gobroad enhances experimental design and data management efficiency through artificial intelligence technology, shortening project execution cycles, while establishing a cell and gene therapy industry alliance to promote the development of technology platforms and new targets. Feng Chen emphasized that the development of research hospitals will promote the deep integration of pharmaceutical R&D and clinical diagnosis and treatment, driving innovation in China’s pharmaceutical industry.

Professor Li Ziming, Director of Oncology Department at Shanghai Chest Hospital, provided in-depth insights into the application of genetic testing in precision therapy for driver gene-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). He emphasized the importance of testing for targets such as EGFR, ALK, and ROS1, and the clinical progress of related targeted drugs. Professor Li pointed out that genetic testing has become crucial in precision treatment of lung cancer, particularly significant for both early and late-stage patients. He predicted that NGS technology would become mainstream, though its application must be tailored to patients’ specific conditions and treatment needs. While the continuous discovery of new targets and biomarkers shows great potential in improving patient survival rates, selecting appropriate testing methods and targeted drugs remains a significant challenge in clinical practice.

Wang Rundong, Senior President of MgX Health Technology, thoroughly discussed the current development status of China’s commercial medical insurance, its challenges, and the possibility of deep integration between the “terminal medical insurance” model and basic medical insurance. He pointed out that China’s commercial medical insurance currently holds a relatively small market share, mainly focusing on inclusive insurance and million-yuan medical insurance products, most of which rely on basic medical insurance reimbursement. With the advancement of DRG payment reform, Wang emphasized that commercial medical insurance must develop in parallel with basic medical insurance, particularly in major disease areas, adopting self-pay medical treatment to break through DRG bundled payment restrictions. He suggested that commercial insurance should deeply integrate with top expert resources, advanced treatment options, and drug supply systems to provide quality medical services under the principle of “reasonable and necessary” while avoiding excessive medical treatment.

The panel discussion on “Coordinated Efforts of Medical Care, Medical Insurance, and Medicine to Enhance China’s Anti-tumor Drug Development” was moderated by Professor Ma Jun, with participation from Xue Junli, Luo Dan, Vice President of National Market Access at Roche Pharmaceuticals China, Xu Junfang, Chief Medical Officer of Huadong Medicine, and Zhang Yong, Co-Founder, Managing Partner of LYZZ Capital. Xue Junli emphasized that innovative drugs should better align with China’s disease spectrum rather than simply imitating Western models, advocating for indication expansion based on local characteristics. Luo Dan highlighted Roche’s integration of China into its global strategy, emphasizing the need for differentiated development between basic medical insurance and commercial insurance to jointly promote innovative drug accessibility and grassroots medical capabilities. Dr. Xu Junfang stressed that drug development should stem from clinical needs, with translational medicine being key to connecting R&D with clinical practice, calling for enhanced research on innovative drugs for common tumors in China. Zhang Yong, from an investment perspective, suggested that healthcare, as a major component of the consumption sector, plays a vital role in driving China’s future development. He advocated for special payment methods for innovative drugs and devices, and proposed that commercial insurance should complement basic medical insurance to provide high-quality medical security for the middle class. Professor Ma Jun concluded that the “coordination of medical care, medical insurance, and medicine” is not merely a slogan but requires substantial linkage between policies, markets, and industries to jointly promote the advancement of China’s characteristic tumor clinical treatment.