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[Moon Han-lim's ASCO 2026 Report ④] ADCs and China's Rise: Is the Center of Innovation Shifting?
- Writer:관리자
- Date:2026-07-01
- Source:THE BIO
ASCO 2026: A Shift in the Center of Global Oncology Innovation
The 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting was more than just a scientific conference—it served as a compelling indication that the center of global oncology drug development is shifting. At this year's meeting, China firmly established itself as a major force in oncology innovation rather than merely a fast follower, with an impressive number of Oral Presentations and Late-Breaking Abstracts (LBAs). Innovative therapeutics spanning diverse platforms—including Ivonescimab (Akeso), Sunvozertinib (Dizal), Tunlametinib (Hansoh), Chiauranib (Chipscreen), BL-B01D1 (Biokin/SystImmune), GC101 TIL (Gracell), and Ori-C101 (OriCell)—were selected for major scientific sessions, underscoring China's growing competitiveness across immuno-oncology, targeted therapies, and cell therapies.
One of the most striking observations was China's strong presence in the Late-Breaking Abstract (LBA) sessions. Reserved for studies reporting the most impactful data that become available shortly before the conference, LBA presentations are widely regarded as recognition of both scientific significance and potential clinical impact. At ASCO 2026, Chinese companies presented LBA studies across a broad spectrum of malignancies—including lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and melanoma—demonstrating that they have become key contributors to global oncology innovation. This represents a significant evolution from the past, when Chinese clinical research was often viewed as primarily regional evidence or a follower strategy. Today, Chinese studies are increasingly shaping the global treatment landscape.
Equally noteworthy is that these achievements were not confined to a single technology platform. Competitive clinical results were reported across a broad range of modalities, including bispecific antibodies, next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), CAR-T cell therapies, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies, and personalized cancer vaccines. Together, these advances demonstrate that China's research and development capabilities have expanded beyond individual technologies into a broad and increasingly mature innovation ecosystem.
Nevertheless, if one technology defined ASCO 2026, it was undoubtedly antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). A substantial proportion of the ADCs featured in major Oral Presentation and LBA sessions were developed by Chinese companies, and several have already advanced into global registrational trials, competing directly against established standards of care. This represents a symbolic milestone, illustrating that China is no longer a follower in the ADC field but has emerged as one of the principal drivers of global innovation (Table below).
Table. Chinese-Developed ADCs Presented at ASCO 2026 (Compiled by MediRama)
Three Defining Changes Demonstrated by Chinese ADCs: Innovation and Execution
As shown in the table above, the Chinese-developed ADCs presented at ASCO 2026 shared three defining characteristics.
The first is target innovation. Moving beyond well-established targets such as HER2 and TROP2, Chinese companies showcased ADCs directed against novel biological targets, including EGFR×HER3, DLL3, Nectin-4, B7-H3, PD-L1, and CD56. This reflects China's transition from developing follow-on products to generating new biological concepts that may shape the future of cancer therapy.
The second is development speed and execution. BL-B01D1 reported results from a global Phase III trial involving 418 patients, while SYS6043, despite still being in Phase I/II development, enrolled 627 patients across eight tumor-specific cohorts simultaneously. Unlike earlier generations of ADC programs that typically remained at the proof-of-concept stage for extended periods, Chinese companies are now accelerating development through rapid patient enrollment and parallel indication expansion, shortening development timelines while increasing the probability of success.
The third is the adoption of a platform strategy. B7-H3-targeting ADCs, including SYS6043 and YL201, are being developed across multiple tumor types, illustrating that ADCs are evolving beyond therapies for individual cancers into platform technologies applicable across a broad spectrum of malignancies.
Taken together, the changes highlighted at ASCO 2026 represent more than the growth of China's ADC industry. The competitive landscape for ADC development is shifting from superiority of individual drug candidates toward innovative target discovery, development speed, and the ability to expand across multiple indications. Chinese companies appear to be adapting to this new competitive paradigm more rapidly than ever before.
BL-B01D1: A Symbol of China's ADC Innovation
BL-B01D1 (Izalontamab Brengitecan) is a bispecific ADC targeting both EGFR and HER3, and was one of the most closely watched ADCs presented at ASCO 2026. The PANKU-Breast02 study (LBA1003) is a global randomized Phase III trial comparing BL-B01D1 with physician's choice of standard chemotherapy in 418 patients with metastatic or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
The study met both co-primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Based on blinded independent central review, BL-B01D1 extended median PFS to 8.5 months, compared with 3.1 months in the control arm, corresponding to a 71% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death (HR = 0.29). Median OS was also significantly improved to 15.9 months, representing a 40% reduction in the risk of death (HR = 0.60). The objective response rate (ORR) reached 51.7%, substantially higher than the 20.5% observed with chemotherapy.
Notably, consistent efficacy was observed not only in patients with HER2-low disease but also in those with HER2 IHC 0 tumors. Safety outcomes were equally encouraging, with an interstitial lung disease (ILD) incidence of only 0.5% and a treatment discontinuation rate of 1.9%. Beyond representing a successful clinical trial, these findings demonstrate that the novel concept of an EGFR×HER3 bispecific ADC can translate into meaningful clinical benefit. BL-B01D1 is therefore widely regarded as one of the most promising best-in-class ADC candidates currently in global development.
SYS6043: The Evolution of China's ADC Development Model
If BL-B01D1 represents China's innovative capabilities, SYS6043 exemplifies its strength in clinical development execution.
Targeting B7-H3, SYS6043 enrolled 627 patients despite being only in a Phase I/II study and implemented a large-scale pan-tumor strategy encompassing eight parallel tumor cohorts.
Its clinical results were equally impressive. SYS6043 achieved objective response rates (ORRs) of 66.7% in small-cell lung cancer, 70.6% in triple-negative breast cancer, 71.4% in HER2-positive breast cancer, and 51.4% in ovarian cancer, demonstrating consistent antitumor activity across multiple malignancies. These findings support the potential of B7-H3 as a pan-tumor ADC target, rather than one limited to a specific cancer type.
Whereas the traditional oncology drug development model typically establishes proof of concept in a single indication before sequentially expanding into others, SYS6043 adopted a fundamentally different approach by rapidly enrolling large numbers of patients and evaluating multiple tumor types in parallel from the earliest stages of development. This strategy illustrates that Chinese companies are strengthening not only their technological innovation but also their clinical development infrastructure and execution capabilities.
Conclusion: Is the Center of Innovation Shifting?
ASCO 2026 demonstrated that China's ADC industry has progressed well beyond the stage of catching up and is now emerging as a major driver of global innovation.
While BL-B01D1 highlighted China's ability to generate innovative biology with genuine best-in-class potential, SYS6043 showcased a new development model characterized by exceptional speed, scale, and execution.
Ultimately, success in the ADC field is no longer determined solely by antibody engineering or payload technology. Competitive advantage increasingly depends on the entire development ecosystem—the ability to identify novel targets, rapidly translate discoveries into clinical development, and efficiently expand across multiple indications. ASCO 2026 clearly demonstrated that the benchmark for ADC development is evolving from technological innovation alone to an integrated combination of innovation and execution.
Accordingly, the question we should now be asking is no longer "How quickly has China caught up?" Rather, it is "Where will the next generation of ADC innovation emerge?" ASCO 2026 suggests that the answer is no longer confined to the traditional centers of pharmaceutical innovation. Instead, it signals that the global landscape of ADC innovation is undergoing a fundamental transformation.
Source: TheBio (https://www.thebionews.net)