Meet the Chinese company advancing European oncology

While Hengrui may be relatively unknown in Western markets, the company has been a pharmaceutical powerhouse in China for over five decades. Founded in 1970, Hengrui has established itself as a market leader and pioneer in transitioning from generic drug manufacturing to innovative drug discovery – a shift that took two decades of dedicated effort and investment. 

Yuting (Shelley) Liu, Head of China Business Development and Strategy of Hengrui Pharma

Image source: Hengrui

‘By now, we have a very comprehensive portfolio and extensive technology platforms,’ explains Liu. That portfolio is particularly robust in oncology, the therapeutic area where Hengrui has obtained approval for 14 innovative oncology drugs in China. 

Building a broad cancer portfolio

Hengrui's oncology strategy is notable for its breadth. The company initially focused on solid tumours – covering nearly every major type, such as breast, lung, liver, prostate and pancreatic cancers. More recently, Hengrui has expanded its haematology portfolio, launching its first EZH2 inhibitor for peripheral T-cell lymphoma in China this year. 

But the company's "broad coverage" philosophy extends beyond disease types. For example, in breast cancer, Hengrui develops therapies for HER2-positive, ER-positive, and triple-negative subtypes. The company's pipeline spans the entire treatment continuum, from neoadjuvant therapy to later-line treatments. The mechanism of action portfolio is equally diverse: immunotherapies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), hormone therapy, PARP inhibitors, CDK clusters, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) – which Liu identifies as ‘a highlight platform’, and their combo with immunotherapies (I/O). 

The imperative of personalization

This comprehensive approach reflects Hengrui's philosophy on personalized cancer care. ‘From a scientific perspective, personalization is absolutely essential,’ Liu emphasizes. ‘The heterogeneity of cancer cells in each individual patient has always been a fundamental challenge.’ 

Meanwhile, individual patients present with vastly different health statuses and respond to therapies in highly variable ways – both in efficacy and adverse effects. With multiple therapeutic options available for most cancer types, selecting the optimal treatment path for each patient becomes increasingly complex. 

‘It's difficult to determine theoretically what's best for patients,’ Liu explains. ‘We explore at scale with the aim of finding optimized solutions for different patients, by integrating clinical trials with translational studies, and in full compliance with regulatory and ethical standards.’ 

Global ambitions and milestones

That internationalization is well underway. Hengrui has been in overseas markets for more than 10 years and is still in a growth phase. Liu points to early successes, particularly with the company's HER2 ADC. ‘You feel really proud when you read posts online from patients themselves recommending the drug to other patients,’ she says. 

Looking ahead, Hengrui has set several key milestones: wider adoption of existing drugs in international markets; major data readouts from the current clinical pipeline, building on promising early-stage signals; continued innovation from the company's early discovery department; and most importantly, regulatory approvals in global markets with positive feedback from international patients and physicians. 

Challenges and competitive advantages

Entering European and other international markets presents significant challenges for any Chinese pharmaceutical company. ‘The primary challenge is the resources and capabilities needed to enter these markets,’ Liu acknowledges. ‘That's why partnerships are a key part of our globalization strategy.’ 

Hengrui seeks to partner with established companies and leading investors to help bring its drugs to patients, recognizing that doing everything in-house isn't necessary – or optimal. ‘What matters is that our drugs reach and treat patients,’ Liu emphasizes. 

Yet Hengrui also brings distinct competitive advantages. ‘Our speed and efficiency are outstanding,’ Liu says. ‘We're one of the most hardworking companies, with very talented and diligent people, which helps us push things forward quickly.’ A streamlined decision-making process further accelerates progress. 

The company is also open to internal capabilities through co-development and co-commercialization partnerships, while taking full ownership of development and commercialization for select assets. ‘It's challenging, but we must try and learn,’ Liu reflects. ‘Eventually, we will get there.’ 

From ambition to execution

Underlying all of Hengrui's strategic initiatives is a patient-centered vision that transcends geography. ‘The ultimate goal for Hengrui – and I believe for all pharmaceutical companies – is to bring true value to patients,’ Liu states. 

As Hengrui continues its transformation from a China-focused innovator to a global pharmaceutical player, that vision will be tested in new markets with different regulatory environments, competitive landscapes, and patient populations. But with a robust pipeline and a pragmatic strategy balancing partnerships with internal capability-building, the company appears well-positioned for the journey ahead. 

For medical professionals in Europe and other international markets, Hengrui represents an emerging source of oncology innovation – one that combines the scale advantages of the Chinese market with a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment and a commitment to personalized care. As the company's drugs begin earning regulatory approvals beyond China, Hengrui's name may soon become as familiar in Western oncology as it already is in the East. 

06.11.2025

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